This episode spells out the consequences of "fooldom," where one prefers "foolish speculations" over the knowledge of God. Declaring in their hearts that "there is no God"(Psalm 14:1), the fool suppresses the available knowledge of God, speaking through creation and conscience. Just as nature abhors a vacuum, fools fill the void with futile speculations, ultimately aiming to "exchange the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man." (Romans 1:23) Self-serving idolatry then is the objective behind the rationalizations and actions of fools, who in varying degrees, resist the knowledge of God in pursuit of their own ends and glory. A common theme of future broadcasts is that "fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) The underlying idolatry of the above "great exchange" anticipates hostile reactions to any who might correct the fool.
The Moral Descent of the Fool
This initial episode introduces the Biblical fool as someone who responds to the knowledge of God incorrectly. The "fool" in common English parlance often suggests a fool is ignorant, but not morally culpable for that ignorance. The Bible however describes a fool as one who willfully suppresses the knowledge of God, and is therefore morally defective. Romans 1:18-22 details the regression: the fool 1) suppresses the truth, 2) rejects the knowledge of God in creation 3) produces alternate futile speculations, 4) professes to be wise, when in fact, he/she is a fool. A Biblical fool then is someone who is willfully blind to "EVIDENT" knowledge that points to God, resulting in a refusal to "honor God as God and give Him thanks." Absent the plain knowledge of God, the fool is left groping for explanations that would discount the EVIDENCE. Futile speculations now testify to the spiritual darkness that has descended on the heart. The darkness brought on by willful ignorance of God culminates in self-deception, the darkness obscures the knowledge of God and the self. The fool thinks he is wise, when he is in fact, a fool.
Let Ministry Work out your Sin Issues
This final episode addresses a common reason why many Christians choose not to evangelize: they're not worthy because of sin issues, and they don't want to be hypocrites. Most Christians haven't fully given over to Christ's Lordship, and many struggle with sins "that so easily entangle." (Hebrews 12:1) The way forward is not to take an extended sabbatical from witnessing till substantial victory is realized, for few Christians ever feel sufficiently victorious. The recipe for gaining substantial victory over the flesh is Romans 13:14: "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ means so regularly identifying with Christ through reading Scripture and prayer that Christ's character and mission become part of the believer. One is then motivated to lay aside the flesh, because it clearly obstructs and hinders the vision Christ has imparted to us, that of being ambassadors. Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ (inhaling) naturally leads to the ministry of reconciliation (exhaling), both of which clarify our purpose and reason for existence. We then see sin for what it truly is, an obstacle to true fulfillment, and we lay it aside. The alternative, being an unemployed Christian, rarely leads to victory over the flesh. "Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint." (Proverbs 29:18) Absent the invigorating power of Christ, inspiring and illuminating His plans for us, we only see the flesh. If we're going nowhere and willfully unemployed, rejecting participation in the Great Commission, we cast off restraint. We indulge the flesh even more, the paltry dividends of the lusts of deceit medicate us temporarily from loss of purpose and meaning. We settle for a substandard Christian life, where victory is always elusive and ministry is made a captive of the law of sin and death.* Clearly this latter alternative is not an option. All of us in varying degrees are called to be ministers of reconciliation, and ironically our battles with sin propel us to identify with Christ more. "Where sin abounds, grace abounds more.." Is it possible God wants to use you as a mighty evangelist, through your struggles with sin?
Politics and the Evangelist
This episode tackles the issue of politics in evangelism. Since politics is mostly a secondary issue, Christians themselves disagreeing, it should be avoided, for it detracts from core issues of salvation. The U.S. is presently very polarized, and the likelihood that unbelievers associate evangelicals with the Republican party and/or Christian nationalism is high, often contributing to a hostile and defensive posture among unbelievers with respect to evangelists. The evangelist therefore needs to engage, if possible, on essential Biblical truths instead of wading into secondary points upon which the Bible is either silent or unclear. The maxim popularized by John Wesley (Rupertus Meldenius is the original source) is an excellent guide putting politics in perspective: "in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty; in all things, charity." Politics falls under "non-essentials," therefore "liberty" (of conscience) and mutual respect should prevail. The character of the evangelist is often placed on trial as unbelievers keenly observe HOW we handle disagreement. Are we dogmatic and argumentative over minor issues or do we invite honest disagreement where all are free to disagree without souring the relationship because we prioritize unconditional love for ALL? Unfortunately many evangelicals have failed the test, making non-essentials essentials and love dependent on partisan affiliation. The evangelist, Christ's ambassador to unbelievers, must pass the test. "By this everyone will know that your are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)
Have a Conversation, NOT an Argument
This episode addresses some common pitfalls that derail effective evangelism. Some in evangelistic encounters are tempted to correct everything a would-be convert says. They feel it's their obligation to set the record straight, particularly if the other party misrepresents a point in theology, a passage in the Bible, or the motives of other Christians. Such a posture is burdensome for evangelists who presume it's their job to "fix" other people. Worse, a nit-picky conversational style puts people on the defensive and rarely leads to further openness to the gospel. Let people be people, expecting confusion or outright nonsense to be verbally expressed. Pray for the Spirit's leading, both when and how to correct. Secondly, if possible, don't use "churchy" language and even adapt Biblical language to the would-be converts word-choices, if it's in the general ballpark. Lastly, don't judge outward appearances, apparent life-style choices, or motives. We are called to preach judgment without being judgmental. Of course, we should honestly answer any question regarding the above, if the Scripture has a clear answer, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. While we speak the sober truths of Scripture, conversation about those truths should be relaxed and without the strings-attached mentality of evangelists with control issues. Sinners were drawn to Jesus but avoided Pharisees for good reason. Jesus saw beyond external secondary issues and uncovered root issues, while Pharisees prioritized external "righteousness" over the heart. The wise evangelist always uses Jesus as the model.
Overcoming Bad Impressions through Lovingkindness
This episode emphasizes how the character of the evangelist significantly impacts future receptivity, either confirming negative stereotypes of the evangelist or overthrowing them. Many have had negative encounters with preachers whom they label as argumentative, dogmatic, close-minded, self-righteous, and "holier-than-thou." While Christianity is the exclusive means of salvation and all other religions are false, some Christians come off as arrogant monopolizers of the truth who came to faith through their own efforts, apart from grace. They "win" arguments, talking over and disrespecting unbelievers. The episode queries, "if you were wrong, how would you like to be corrected?" While Christians have the Truth, they don't own it or control it. And self-righteously weaponizing the Truth to win arguments or culture-wars makes one the ostensible "owner" of Truth, when he is just a steward. The evangelist must do everything to convey that he is mere steward of the grace of God, among many. He didn't "find" Christ, the Truth found him. He preaches repentance and faith in Christ to unbelievers, using his former life as Exhibit A of a life under judgment. The episode closes with the admonition to guard one's tongue. While unbelievers are rarely persuaded on the first encounter, the initial meeting with the evangelist can make or break future receptivity. A non-argumentative and respectful posture that is eager to LISTEN more than speak prepares the soil for gospel seeds planted on subsequent encounters.
Draw Them with Lovingkindness
This episode continues the focus on God's lovingkindness that leads to repentance. A balanced preaching of the gospel always includes the demand to repent. Coupled with the convicting work of the Spirit, godly sorrow leads to repentance without regret. (2 Corinthians 7:10) The Holy Spirit also leads people to repent by imparting on the soul a sense of God's unmerited kindnesses. The evangelist ideally follows the Holy Spirit's leading in "wounding the conscience" (Acts 2:38), while bringing out the gracious character of God in His care of us when we deserve the opposite. The episode concludes with an exhortation to be living epistles of God's lovingkindness. The evangelist himself/herself should be the embodiment of the grace extended to all. So just as God is "kind to ungrateful and evil people," so the evangelist should be gracious to ALL, ready to bless.
Both Godly Sorrow and His Many Kindnesses Lead to Repentance
This episode mostly focuses on the kindnesses of God that lead to repentance. The last program emphasized cooperation with the convicting Holy Spirit, as He works godly sorrow leading to repentance without regret. The temptation for some evangelists (and churches) is interrupting or sidestepping the Holy Spirit's work of conviction, resulting in shallow repentance without genuine sorrow. The result at best, is a shallow repentance with regret. The evangelist instead needs to cooperate with the Holy Spirit's "sorrowful" work, while at the same time bringing to mind His more "positive" gracious works. "The kindnesses of God lead you to repentance." (Romans 2:4) Many unbelievers have experienced kindnesses of God that smack of divine intervention: miraculous survival from normally "fatal" accidents, instantaneous answers to prayer, and rescue from dire circumstances. God can't help Himself, for "He is kind to ungrateful and evil people." (Luke 6:35) The evangelist can then hopefully elicit acknowledgment of God's kindnesses while articulating God's call to repent. Godly sorrow coupled with God's kindnesses, embodied in the cross, are the means of repentance.
Sorrow that Leads to Repentance without Regret
This episode unpacks 2 Corinthians 7:10, in which "sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret." Arguably the reason why many repent only superficially is that sorrow according to the will of God is missing. Sorrow over sin and missing the purpose of God is necessary for lasting repentance. So when an evangelist is not comfortable with a would-be convert's squirming under conviction, he may interrupt the Holy Spirit's convicting work by minimizing or dumbing down the need for repentance. Many churches, in a sincere desire to bring people to Christ, unfortunately gloss over repentance in rushed alter call settings. It may result in recitation of the sinner's prayer, but since genuine sorrow leading to a repentance without regret is rarely possible in a five-minute alter call, many either return to the world (seed sown in rocky ground) or vacillate in their commitment to Christ. Their "repentance" came with regrets because real SORROW was never experienced. The evangelist then needs to be attentive to the Holy Spirit and allow His work of conviction to proceed uninterrupted, until it produces a sorrow that leads to repentance without regret.
God Commands ALL People Everywhere to Repent
This episode surveys key passages in the book of Acts where entrance into the kingdom of God is granted based on repentance and faith in Christ. Some dispensationalists have erroneously claimed that only Jews needed to respond to the gospel with repentance and faith. Yet both Peter and Paul preached to Gentiles and included repentance in their gospel presentations. Based on Peter's testimony relating Gentile reception of Christ at Cornelius' house, the church at Jerusalem conceded that God had granted the Gentiles "repentance that leads to life." (Acts 11:18) Paul told Gentiles at Mar Hill that God "commands" everyone to repent. (Acts 17:30) Before King Agrippa, Paul summarized his 25 year mission as "turning people from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, leading to sanctification by faith in Christ. (Acts 26:18) The evangelist then must incorporate both repentance and faith in Christ as the basis of salvation.