Complete EvangelismThe Luke-Acts Model by Pedrito U. Maynard-Reid |
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"A passionate, sensitive, careful, and clear call to the church to offer our world today the gospel of Jesus Christ in all its transformational fullness."
--Charles Van Engen, Fuller Theological Seminary
According to Maynard-Reid, if you think evangelism and social action are totally different endeavors, then you are a product of Western culture. Today many evangelicals are suspicious of social action, and many liberals are wary of personal evangelism. Followers of Jesus who accept both still face the problem of how to prioritize personal and social elements in outreach, or whether they should be ranked at all.
An overview of Luke-Acts calls us back to a biblical base. It reveals a wholistic evangelism where personal and social concerns are equally significant. Gospel proclamation, fellowship, and service offer hope to those under the weight of personal and social sins. They also challenge spiritually and socially those who oppose the reign of God. Luke-Acts presents a prophetic evangelism that shares the total, whole, transforming grace and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Can we aspire to less?
"In an age when Christians are commonly told that working for social justice is like 'polishing brass on a sinking ship,' this book contains a needed message."
--Bookstore Journal
About the Author
Pedrito U. Maynard-Reid is professor of biblical studies and missiology at Walla Walla (Wash.) College's School of Theology. Since 1970 he has taught ministerial students in Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the states of Michigan and Washington.
Study questions for your small group or class
1. Do you agree that evangelical and fundamentalist Christians made a mistake in separating social concern from personal spirituality?
2. Why does Luke in his Gospel and Acts seem so overly concerned with social concern? Would you say that there is an unbalance in his writing? If yes, why would the Holy Spirit lead him to overemphasize one over the other? If no, demonstrate how he balances both personal and social spiritual concerns.
3. Is the Christian church as an international body doing enough to balance both aspects of evangelism? If yes, list 4 or 5 ways this is being accomplished. If no, how can the church act positively in this direction?
4. Answer question #3 above, replacing *church as an international body* with *local church* first; then respond again and focus on yourself as a person -- what are you doing, or what can you do as an individual