tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post192018982846345107..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: TalentPhil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-71114038425844780722010-10-07T05:45:06.821-07:002010-10-07T05:45:06.821-07:00And with that, the comments are closed. See you n...And with that, the comments are closed. See you next week.FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-59876302748153043032010-10-07T05:44:07.765-07:002010-10-07T05:44:07.765-07:00If you'll let us arrest Rick Warren then we wo...If you'll let us arrest Rick Warren then we won't have to arraign ourselves!olan stricklandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05345193051857763038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-24371421473132870612010-10-07T05:30:45.398-07:002010-10-07T05:30:45.398-07:00Wow. Really?
I feel your pain.<i>Wow. Really?</i><br /><br />I feel your pain.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-31490446187975713462010-10-07T05:27:09.073-07:002010-10-07T05:27:09.073-07:00Olan:
No hard feelings. You're usually much ...Olan:<br /><br />No hard feelings. You're usually much more helpful than not, and I don't have any doubts about your willingness to be faithful to Christ.FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-70288896469468834912010-10-07T05:25:49.654-07:002010-10-07T05:25:49.654-07:00Here's one from last night which really needs ...Here's one from last night which really needs some word:<br /><br />[QUOTE]<b><br /><i>Frank: People think that it's more important to speak up against Rick Warren</i><br /><br />Only if your plan was to write of the "larger concerns" of the conference.</b><br /><br />Wow. Really? So reiterating Rick Warren's theological warrant for arrest and rap sheet is more important than pointing out that we as people who say we have the correct Gospel are very frankly under-interetsed in spreading that Gospel becuase we think "evangelism" is best served as a side dish for all the tyhings we like to do -- like readin' and 'ritin' and rantin'?<br /><br />I think this comment completely underscores the actual larger concern.<br /><br />To say more is to post mot post for next week now, and I'm not doing that.FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-54760752491793445832010-10-07T05:19:59.331-07:002010-10-07T05:19:59.331-07:00Frank,
My apologies are in order this morning to ...Frank,<br /><br />My apologies are in order this morning to you. You <b>did not</b> accuse me of not being either reformed or evangelical! You simply asked how I could be if I believed what I said.<br /><br />I ask your forgiveness sir!<br /><br />Olanolan stricklandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05345193051857763038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-60696784348255715132010-10-07T05:19:07.438-07:002010-10-07T05:19:07.438-07:00Steve B --
If that's what people take away fr...Steve B --<br /><br />If that's what people take away from this post, that 10,000 times better than the scurrying around I am seeing here trying to justify a passive attitude and a passive activity toward evangelism.FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-85960779703737835672010-10-07T05:17:29.376-07:002010-10-07T05:17:29.376-07:00Eric --
1. No. See the link provided by Justin T...Eric --<br /><br />1. No. See the link provided by Justin Taylor in this very thread of comments -- he's "JT" if you didn;t know.<br /><br />2. Only if you think that evangelism is a merely-passive act. Apologetics is not a merely-passive act; why would we think evangelism is a merely-passive act? Isn't that view of evangelism <i>exactly</i> why "we" have a huge pile of bandwidth and books decrying the "seeker sensitive" movement -- becuase evangelism is <i>not</i> a passive act?FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-74519389921959726342010-10-07T05:15:08.869-07:002010-10-07T05:15:08.869-07:00"... you have to present the actual gospel at..."... you have to present the actual gospel at some point in time to qualify as evangelism but as soon as you do, people will leave. Thus, the charade of success of the seeker sensitive types." Aaron<br /><br />Alistair Begg is preaching on this as I read this.<br />"Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."<br /><br />He says, "You can not entertain people into the kingdom of God. It takes the Holy Spirit moving upon a sinners heart to convince them they are a sinner in need of the Christ they just heard about in the Gospel." paraphrased<br /><br />I have done all sorts of sharing the Gospel. With my neighbors.<br />At work. With my family. Tracts. Knocking on doors. Visiting nursing homes.<br />Sometimes it was wrong. Other times it was right. <br />I remember a lot of the times I would go about the neighborhood of my church, and talk with the people who lived there. Many good stories.<br />I remember going door to door on Halloween. Not only did we invite people to our church, and share Christ, we had the blessing of a few candy bars.<br /><br />Sharing the Gospel is what I do. God is the one who saves. I pray He would save those I shared the truth with. But that's between Him and they. <br /><br />It's been a good thread of comments from an exceptional post.<br /><br />Cent, you have a uniqueness in sharing your heart, which is full of the Word, and the Holy Spirit.donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-29724270221189311402010-10-07T04:54:01.776-07:002010-10-07T04:54:01.776-07:00Frank,
A couple quick questions:
1) Isn't it...Frank,<br /><br />A couple quick questions:<br /><br />1) Isn't it really quite likely that Piper was overstating for effect, and that his audience was aware of that (similar to your overstatement that Calvinists "have a perfect Gospel which we never think about taking to lost people")?<br /><br />2) Isn't every Gospel-bearing sermon very much an active evangelistic sermon, as there are almost likely always unsaved people in the pews?<br /><br />I do agree with your point about being able and willing to learn from the strengths of others. I do wonder, however if contrasting with Piper based on his one (seemingly obvious) overstatement served mostly to obscure your point.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16345630463450652762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-57984839622218485582010-10-07T03:52:50.519-07:002010-10-07T03:52:50.519-07:00Mason, I wish there was a like button.Mason, I wish there was a like button.Jason Kanzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156951203860604405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-17327233854243069122010-10-07T01:31:00.356-07:002010-10-07T01:31:00.356-07:00Is the point most here seem to be missing NOT that...Is the point most here seem to be missing NOT that Piper is somehow to be reprimanded for his views on the primacy (or not) of evangelism, but rather, than the RESPONSE OF HIS AUDIENCE was not more taken aback?<br /><br />And thus Franks post actually deals less with the words or actions ofMr. Piper, and more with our collective hearts as executors of the Great Commission?<br /><br />I'm pretty sure that's what the post was about. A pastor may at times mis-speak, or misstep, but if our response as professed believers is to chuckle of a comment that evangelism shouldn't be the primary concern of our Walk, then we need to examine OURSELVES far more deeply than we excorciate or tsk-tsk Mr. Piper, et.al.<br /><br />Yes?Steve Bervenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02137453259611119361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-34946739094044377602010-10-07T00:48:36.509-07:002010-10-07T00:48:36.509-07:00Christianlady, I will.
Please pray for my wife, h...Christianlady, I will.<br /><br />Please pray for my wife, her family, and my family as well.<br /><br />And no, you were not sticking your neck out in your previous comment.<br /><br />Now that I think about it, my most passionate witnessing has been when I felt like I was sharing the secret key to the treasures of the Bible that neither I nor my interlocutors had ever seen before: the Gospel of Jesus Christ!Stefan Ewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530690016594029847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-18677913160382818862010-10-06T23:04:45.566-07:002010-10-06T23:04:45.566-07:00After wading through 186 comments - though honestl...After wading through 186 comments - though honestly I had to skim some of the novel-length posts for my sanity's sake - and wishing I had a Jolt Cola near at hand, all I can think of is Frank's final comment on digging up his talent. <br /><br />Interesting since I was under some serious conviction only yesterday due to the same passage of scripture. <br /><br />Methinks I have some prayer and repentance to engage in. <br /><br />What a frail and rum lot we all are - with hearts prone to wander.walsinghamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13659367881349911183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-53828617985852737792010-10-06T22:16:36.143-07:002010-10-06T22:16:36.143-07:00And would any of you out there pray for my friends...And would any of you out there pray for my friends still in my former church...pray for that church (I cannot name it, and I stay anon so that I do not drag the church through the mud). Please pray my dealings with my friends at the church would involve me speaking the truth from God's word in love to them. While you're praying, could you pray for my father and my grandma...and my brother and all the other members of my family who do not believe they are sinners, and even if they do they have no trust in Christ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-13673170615703429562010-10-06T22:14:37.935-07:002010-10-06T22:14:37.935-07:00185 just sound like a better number so here someth...185 just sound like a better number so here something.<br /><br />I cut and pasted it big time. I think this is relevant to this post.<br />I got it from joshnmadra.wordpress.com who got it from takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com<br />Jonathan Leeman wrote on 9Marks Blog.<br />“We must recognize that words and deeds are both necessary for mission or missions, but that they play different roles and are necessary in different ways”…<br />“When we speak of the word being “central”—a term which I take from D. A. Carson—we acknowledge that the Word is of utmost importance; it’s the highest peak in the landscape.”…<br />“Word ministry really is the most important. It’s the highest mountain. But that mountain is resting upon everything surrounding it. The Scripture makes it manifestly clear that our deeds should adorn our doctrine for the sake of witness”…..<br />“Are good works necessary for the Word and Spirit to give new life? Certainly not!”….<br />“You can proclaim the gospel without deeds, but you cannot proclaim the gospel without words.”….Thomas Louwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-8294203967306953472010-10-06T22:11:01.747-07:002010-10-06T22:11:01.747-07:00So can't defending the faith go hand in hand W...So can't defending the faith go hand in hand WITH evangelism? What if people are stuck in a man centered church and reading a blog started peeling the layers off? What if the blog actually compared what the false teaching was with the truth so as to contrast it? What if whole families were saved because someone defended the faith and then also shared the gospel? I am sure some know who you are referencing when you talk about people who have a cottage industry, I'm not sure who you mean. I know that I have personally tried to evangelize by speaking directly to Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons who came to my door. I did this because someone out there was defending the faith and speaking out against false teaching, it spurred me on when the door knockers came. I got into the bible and presented my best case (and used materials also to help me find the best verses to share). I was desperate to show the truth to the individuals who came to my door. I do not know if what I said got through, I do know I did share to the best of my ability. <br /><br />I see some of the bloggers or those who write books about false teachings as evangelists as long as they are sharing the gospel. It should only be that they expose falsehood not over the gospel (as you say Frank). We had children involved in a church we had to get out of. They were not hearing proper teaching there, and we were realizing that the pull of peers was coming despite what we were teaching at home. I now share these blogs/webpages/podcasts etc. with my friends still attending that former church. Some have left, some are beginning to go through the process of researching and asking the pastors tough questions, and others don't want to hear it. <br /><br />Why do I feel I'm sticking my neck out here?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-72927322740057245772010-10-06T21:51:02.945-07:002010-10-06T21:51:02.945-07:00...Rather, I'm surprised (and not a little enc......Rather, I'm surprised (and not a little encouraged) to learn that I'm not the only one who struggles in this area.<br /><br />May God grant that we can all share the Gospel boldly and fearlessly—and live it out in our daily witness.Stefan Ewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530690016594029847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-5750399555343340222010-10-06T21:47:53.017-07:002010-10-06T21:47:53.017-07:00I think everyone else has covered Frank's othe...I think everyone else has covered Frank's other comments quite well. I don't know if anybody else focussed on this one as I haven't read everyone. However, my chllenge from here is the one Frank had and I hope we all have:<br /><br />"I'm sure you have a full day, and this is just a blog post. Shrug it off. But I'm headed out to the yard because there's a single talent I buried out there someplace, and I think I better go dig it up before the Master comes home and asks me what I did with it ..."<br /><br />Let us spend less hours(and hours nad hours from blog to blog) debating John Piper and Rick Warren, etc. Let us all seek God's grace to shine His light boldly to the lost in our lives and to train up disciples for His glory. God bless all and thanks for the encouragement Frank!Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03758478082440727676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-37628197686905463472010-10-06T21:46:29.889-07:002010-10-06T21:46:29.889-07:00Sir Aaron nailed it with his 9:06 p.m. comment.
A...Sir Aaron nailed it with his 9:06 p.m. comment.<br /><br />Anyhow, this post didn't convict me, because I'm already too well aware of my own shortcomings in this area. I have evangelized in the past and I will evangelize in the future, but frankly, it doesn't come as naturally to me as it does to, say, Zaphon or Canyon (our resident street-preaching brothers, no?).Stefan Ewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530690016594029847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-45640906800292105022010-10-06T21:35:08.236-07:002010-10-06T21:35:08.236-07:00I, for one, welcome our Purpose-Driven Overlords!I, for one, welcome our Purpose-Driven Overlords!David Regierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09766862583586784668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-46147866015664193392010-10-06T21:06:05.239-07:002010-10-06T21:06:05.239-07:00@Donsands:
I think many of us struggle with exact...@Donsands:<br /><br />I think many of us struggle with exactly how to evangelize. Most people wont open the door and talk with you. You can't really stand on a street corner in most suburban towns. So most of our time is spent trying to discern how to gain an audience with people to even present the gospel to them. <br /><br />And that is why the seeker <br />sensitive movement was born. Knock on a door and talk about Jesus you get the door slammed. Knock on a door and offer a free rock concert and suddenly you have interest. Of course, you have to present the actual gospel at some point in time to qualify as evangelism but as soon as you do, people will leave. Thus, the charade of success of the seeker sensitive types.Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15285043747501470199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-8245211187663079402010-10-06T20:58:32.550-07:002010-10-06T20:58:32.550-07:00"People think that it's more important to..."<i>People think that it's more important to speak up against Rick Warren (you know: because there isn't a cottage industry speaking out against him) than it is to make a point about people we love and respect which we can apply to our own lives and therefore, as they say, improve our baptism</i>."<br /><br />That's right! He can be taught! ;p<br /><br />My theory is that its not that they think its more important...its just that they can't help themselves. <br /><br />And can I be the first to say that I'm disappointed that you wont have a new post up before lunch tomorrow.Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15285043747501470199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-35959409422299819802010-10-06T20:40:37.897-07:002010-10-06T20:40:37.897-07:00I apologize, David. I did think your comment was a...I apologize, David. I did think your comment was a sarcastic reply to mine. And like Daryl, I've benefited from many of your comments in the past.bphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02265050268204322057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-20634869434318069302010-10-06T20:24:59.286-07:002010-10-06T20:24:59.286-07:00I missed that John Piper was speaking of the Unive...I missed that John Piper was speaking of the University of Minnesota. I suppose he should have had a different way of speaking to reaching out to 50,000 young people.<br />I would imagine his church has some outreach for this campus, or whatever.<br /><br />Yet, I would think his statement would have been more, "I pray the Lord would help us reach out to these 50,000 students, and share the love of Christ, and the truth of God's wrath.<br /><br />I know my pastor was talking about reaching out in our community in many ways. <br />He knows a pastor who has a church right near Indiana U., where there was this coffee shop, and it never seemed to do much, and went under, so the church some how got hold of it, and they have seen some good fruit over the past couple years reaching out to the Indiana students with coffee and the good news of Christ.<br /><br />But there's probably more to John Piper's thinking than this one statement. if you catch my drift.donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.com