Monday, September 1, 2008

Today's Gospel, Authentic or Synthetic? by Walter J.Chantry




This small book (93 pages) is about evangelism. But it is not about method, strategy, and know-how of evangelism. It is a book about the essence of the message we called the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Walter observed that due to our zeal for unity, many organizations, churches, and individuals have lower down the value of truth. He claims, “Our message and manner of preaching the Gospel cannot be traced back to the Reformers and their Creeds. They are much more recent innovations. Worse, they cannot be traced to the Scriptures. They have clearly arisen form superficial exegesis and a careless mixture of twentieth-century reason with God’s revelation.” (page 13).While we blame most of the professed Christian as a carnal Christian (which Walter believes that it is not a biblical concept after all), we should consider the possibility that they were actually never been evangelized at all!

Using the encounter and the conversation between the young ruler and Jesus as recorded in Mark 10, Walter expound on Jesus' message to the young ruler as an essential points to any true evangelism: Character of God; The Law of God; Repentance toward God; Faith; and true Assurance that comes from holiness. Walter argues that neglecting these vital biblical truth of the Gospel in our evangelism and giving them a false assurance will fill up the church with Ishmael's. Because of fleshly haste, evangelists produce 'converts'whom they call sons. But God will not own them. He is looking for Isaacs. (Page 77)

Walter concludes his book with this: "Sincerity and genuine conversion are not the only qualifications necessary for teh work of an evangelist. An ability to convey the Biblical gospel is essential." (page 91).

Read this book. If you wonder why your evangelism and discipleship is producing 'converts' that show no sign of fruits after his/her decision for Christ.

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