The Scandal of Evangelism

In today's multi-cultural and multi-religious world, evangelism is often viewed as scandalous, not only by those who are opposed to anything religious, but also by many Christians. In this book, Elmer Thiessen provides a response to those who find most or even all Christian evangelism objectionable. He does this through a careful analysis of what the Bible says about the ethics of evangelism. Based on this inductive study, mainly of the New Testament, Thiessen proposes thirty guidelines for ethical evangelism. Part II examines some specific contexts that pose unique challenges for doing evangelism ethically--evangelism of children, evangelism within a professional context like the secular academy, evangelism within the context of humanitarian aid, and finally the problem of proselytism, understood in the special and narrow sense of sheep-stealing. ""In a world awash with political correctness Thiessen rehabilitates the art of committed dialogue and inspired persuasion as essential to human flourishing. His careful analysis of New Testament teaching and his discussion of contemporary contexts suggest a positive future for ethically practiced evangelism--more gift than goading, more mutual discovery than manipulative diatribe. Thiessen is clear, helpful, and hopeful."" --Mark Oxbrow, International Director, Faith2Share ""In The Scandal of Evangelism Professor Thiessen sets out and develops a biblical and theological basis for explicitly ethical forms of evangelism that are modelled on the beliefs, values, examples, and practices of the early church as recorded in the New Testament. . . . This is an excellent book that all interested in Christian mission, broadly conceived, should read. It is a book that shows us how to engage in evangelism in ways that respect the dignity of others, while preserving the truth and integrity of Christian faith."" --L. Philip Barnes, Emeritus Reader in Religious and Theological Education, King's College London ""Since the publication of the document 'Christian Witness in a Multi-religious World: Recommendations for Conduct, ' published in 2011, world Christianity has been waiting for this book: a detailed discussion of the major questions involved. Elmer Thiessen's biblical study of the ethics of evangelism provides such discussion, and the result is superb. Thoroughly considered for years, taking up the relevant international discussion, and tested in discussions with the highest level of representatives for the major branches of Christianity, The Scandal of Evangelism is a compendium of the major problems and questions involved. Both friends and foes of evangelism have much to learn here. This book will open a new chapter in the discussion."" --Thomas Schirrmacher, Professor of the Sociology of Religion, University of the West Timisoara, Romania ELMER JOHN THIESSEN taught at Medicine Hat College (Alberta, Canada) for thirty-six years. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Emmanuel Bible College. He is author of The Ethics of Evangelism: A Philosophical Defense of Proselytizing and Persuasion (2011).