Today's Evangelism by Ernest C.Reisinger
The author's purpose in writing this book was his burden to see a restoration of Church-based "Biblical Evangelism." Reisinger defines evangelism as, "The communication of a divinely inspired message that we call 'The Gospel.'" God's servants are to faithfully communicate that message——without altering the content of the message——for God's Gospel . . . "is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes." The Gospel is a divine message, and Mr. Reisinger asks the question (the title of Chapter Eight), "Is there a divine method?" He asserts that the book of Acts is, ". . . a divine manual for evangelism." The book of Acts is the outworking (in a historical account) of Acts 1:8, "But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
A question that should be asked by us is whether our evangelism be God-centered or man-centered? In Chapter Six, Reisinger looks at the branches of theology in five areas that will indicate whether one's evangelism is centered in God or man. 1. Is man dead, dumb, and blind spiritually or is man just sick? 2. God's sovereign election——what one believes about election reveals whether their focus is on God or man. 3. One's view of the Atonement——Christ died savingly for a. All the sins of all men. b. All the sins of some men. c. Some of the sins of all men. d. To make salvation possible and while standing idly by, waiting for man's decision. 4. What you believe about the application of Christ's atonement. 5. What you believe about God's keeping power.
In Chapter Seven, the writer scrutinizes methods of "Inviting Sinners To Christ." The invitation system is shown to be lacking both biblical and historical support (as far as its being used throughout the history of Christ's Church).
Throughout the book, Reisinger contrasts man-centered and God-centered views of "Theological Truths" and what effect they have on evangelism. In Chapter Nine, commenting on views on "The Person And Work Of Christ," as it relates to evangelism, he writes——"Man-centered evangelism puts the emphasis on Christ's Savior-hood. . . . God-centered evangelism puts the emphasis on Christ as the Savior from sin and its consequences but, more importantly, from the sinful nature, which is the root cause of every sin, in other words, Christ came not only to save us but by His Spirit to change us."
If you have questions or doubts about your "Evangelistic Methodology" or your "Evangelistic Message," then look no further than "Today's Evangelism" (a contemporary classic on Evangelistic Methodology). It will help you to bring a God-centered, Christ-honoring Gospel to the needy world in which we live.