Still, creative ministries and artsy churches aren’t the only vehicles God can use to reach this region evangelism continues to play a role in engaging secular worldviews and pointing to Christ.Ī friend of mine works as a senior leader at a tech company. My family and I moved to the Seattle area two years ago, where I constantly notice this expressive individualism worked out in what many have deemed a post-Christian context. The offshoot of this attitude is the desire to seek out what speaks to us personally: How am I going to be happy? How am I going to be fulfilled? Journalist David Brooks writes that we have moved away from a culture of humility “to the culture of what you might call the Big Me, from a culture that encouraged people to think humbly of themselves to a culture that encouraged people to see themselves as the center of the universe.” Smith writes, the term denotes an understanding that “‘each one of us has his/her own way of realizing our humanity,’ and that we are called to live that out (‘express’ it) rather than conform to models imposed by others (especially institutions).” The philosopher Charles Taylor uses the term “expressive individualism” to describe the cultural milieu of the secular age. But I’m convinced that what we need is not innovative methods or answers. With the rise of secularism, sure, the church faces new challenges. If we believe the gospel is good news, true for all people, we cannot give up on making the case for our beliefs. When necessary, use words.”)īut when we diminish the work of evangelism and apologetics-as ineffective or as a secondary concern-we cheapen the gospel itself. (Think of the commonly quoted line: “Preach the gospel at all times.
We emphasize good things like relationships and charity outreach but question the work of traditional apologetics, of speaking the gospel in hopes of convincing another that it is true. My friend’s attitude toward belief describes how many people, both believers and unbelievers, view Christian evangelism.Įven within the church, even among evangelicals, we have begun to diminish the work of evangelism. These words seemed to sound the death knell to my entire project, and I couldn't hide my discouragement as I left the studio that day. People who do not believe are not going to believe, and you just have to be fine with that!” “Here’s what I would say to you: Don’t try to convince people who do not believe to believe.
You try to convince people who don’t believe to believe,” he said. He took a few steps back and looked at me.
I explained my vocation as a Christian evangelist and apologist and asked this journalist for his advice. In fact, he makes a point of emphasizing that he is not religious.
Years ago I had a conversation with a TV host on the topic of faith.