tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446682073857250843.post338708024939959879..comments2024-03-27T23:42:36.619-05:00Comments on Mock Ramblings: Friendly Evangelism: SlacktivismMichael Mockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446682073857250843.post-16214019718681313092011-06-26T22:42:53.834-05:002011-06-26T22:42:53.834-05:00"You know, I'm never sure if it's the..."You know, I'm never sure if it's the chicken or the egg."<br /><br />To be honest, I'm not sure about the direction of causality either. I just see a lot of overlap.Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446682073857250843.post-34140886230975830522011-06-26T15:02:42.923-05:002011-06-26T15:02:42.923-05:00"I think he does give some thought to the imp..."I think he does give some thought to the impression his efforts make, which sets him apart from the really hardcore Calvinists I've run into."<br /><br />That's what I've seen. There's been a lot of back-and-forth on where the line for jerky evangelism falls, but at least he recognizes that there is a line and he's not afraid to call out fellow Christians when he thinks they're definitely over the line. He also doesn't demand that you agree with him before he'll listen to you - which is very refreshing in Living Waters circles.<br /><br />"...extreme Calvinism attracts the sort of people who are much more interested in being right than in being kind, generous, open, charitable..."<br /><br />You know, I'm never sure if it's the chicken or the egg. It seems there may be a point they reach - where people aren't hanging on the word of God like they should be and where they aren't pulling in the crowds like Spurgeon or whoever else they admire, and they either need to drop out or get Old Testament on everyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446682073857250843.post-28885820198014754472011-06-26T10:41:59.594-05:002011-06-26T10:41:59.594-05:00@ Bruce - Maybe that's what keeps bugging me a...@ Bruce - Maybe that's what keeps bugging me about this. Because the Christianity I grew up with also encouraged evangelism, but in a very different way. The feeling was more like, "We have this wonderful thing: our faith, the surety of our salvation. So our job is to let people see how wonderful that is, and then tell them how they can have it, too." <br /><br />That's wildly different from, "Everyone is a sinner and deserving of an eternity of punishment, but this message can get them into eternal paradise instead. Go! Now! Spread the message! Or else they burn!"<br /><br />@ perdita - Yes, that seems to be the case. Pastor Steve indicated to me that he felt like his efforts could make a difference - at least, I think he did; "100% us <i>and</i> 100% God" could be Embracing the Paradox or Dodging the Question, or a bit of both. But, generally, I think he does give some thought to the impression his efforts make, which sets him apart from the really <i>hardcore</i> Calvinists I've run into.<br /><br />I'm currently working with the hypothesis that extreme Calvinism attracts the sort of people who are much more interested in being <i>right</i> than in being kind, generous, open, charitable, or any of those other things that Jesus spent his time on.Michael Mockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233321050691782148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446682073857250843.post-34354528756442417842011-06-25T20:26:32.291-05:002011-06-25T20:26:32.291-05:00I've enjoyed this (newly found for me) series....I've enjoyed this (newly found for me) series. Steve Sanchez is...well, I'll quote you, "They do it because they are commanded to, but if you happen to convert... well, that has nothing to do with them."<br /><br />I think most of those associated with Ray Comfort are Calvinists, but they don't seem to come straight out and admit that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4446682073857250843.post-92056987634710843742011-06-25T04:03:49.438-05:002011-06-25T04:03:49.438-05:00At the foundation of all evangelistic efforts is t...At the foundation of all evangelistic efforts is the notion that people have something wrong with them and I have what they need to fix what is wrong with them. Evangelism by design is exclusionary and divisive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com