On good and bad evangelism

‘Proselytism’ is on the nose in our allegedly tolerant world, increasingly proscribed or restricted by law or administrative policy.

Mostly the word is left undefined, open to great subjectivity. Some think of it merely as seeking to persuade others of the merits of a religion, with a view to changing their minds. But for others, connotations of force or manipulation are inherent in proselytizing.

Notably the verb ‘to proselytize’ does not occur in the Bible. Rather the noun, ‘proselyte’, is simply used a few times descriptively of a Gentile who has converted to Judaism (Matt 23:15; Acts 2:10, 6:5, 13:43).

For those reasons, I think ‘proselytism/proselytizing’ are terms best avoided. Let’s stick with the biblical verb: ‘to evangelize’—to proclaim the good news of Jesus.

However, the ethical issue remains. What does good or bad evangelism look like? Rather than simply let the world dictate terms, what does the Bible say?

Paul outlines his method of preaching Christ as Lord:

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2)

No half-truths from Scripture, when presenting the gospel. No watering down the Bible in order to make it more popular or palatable, hiding the reality of what’s really there. Good evangelism involves the plain statement of the truth, without deception or trickery.

However, Paul does still speak of trying to persuade people, of imploring them to be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:11, 20). I take it there is nothing problematic about Christians passionately trying to convince others.

Paul commends this kind of approach again:

But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. (1 Thessalonians 2:2-5)

On top of continued rejection of falsehood or trickery, here we can add a refusal to ‘butter up’ the audience in order to gain a favourable hearing. And it would also be considered ‘bad evangelism’ to do it as a way of satisfying our own greedy desires. Religion ought not to be a means to financial self-enrichment (1 Tim 6:5).

But again, positively, Paul still speaks of an appeal, an ethical exhortation in regards to believing the gospel. The New Testament sees attempts to persuade by reasoned presentation of the Christian faith, so that people of other beliefs would convert, as perfectly acceptable (Acts 18:4).

However, in 2 Corinthians 11, Paul objects to the style of the super-apostles (v. 5). He objects not only to their false content and presentation (vv. 4, 13), but also to their manner. In verse 20, he particularly warns against a forcefulness of manner that they seemed not to realise was abusive or exploitative: “For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face”.

This is not a condemnation of strong efforts to persuade. Yet there must be a disavowal of anything linked to compulsion. Paul drives hard to convince the Corinthians to be generous in their gift to the Jerusalem poor, commending the gift of the poor Macedonians so favourably as a point of comparison. Yet in 2 Corinthians he says to give “not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”. Paul is self-conscious enough to see that, in his enthusiasm to persuade, he must state plainly there should be no compulsion in them doing what he wants. He does something similar in Philemon 1:8-14 regarding Onesimus.

Such examples persuade me that there are times we need to remind those whom we evangelize not to make a decision to convert when feeling swept away. Sometimes we must dial back evangelistic enthusiasm in order to guard against improper force. Our passionate persuasion must not tip over into inadvertent manipulation.

This has particular implications for ministry to children and youth, in schools, youth groups or kids’ clubs. They may rightly look up to their leaders, especially as Christians often have attractive characters, so we must be extra careful not to exploit their desire to please. Calls to public response in front of peers will be out of place in some contexts, and must always be handled with care. And be extremely cautious about drawing them in with fun and games or some other attractant. No ‘bait and switch’!

Keep encouraging young people to make their own response to God’s gospel—freely and thoughtfully—not that which they think is expected of them.

One other thought: when we consider the urgency of the gospel, we fear something might be lost in pulling back on our appeal as so much is at stake.

This is an area where those with a strong view of God’s sovereignty and a robust trust in the work of the Holy Spirit can relax. It’s not our enthusiasm that converts people. That’s the Spirit’s job.

What an encouragement 2 Timothy 2:8-10 is to me! Even if opponents of the gospel move to restrict ‘proselytism’ in an attempt to silence us, God’s word is not chained!