I agree with Dr. James White. Some readers might be disappointed to read that, so let me say it again. I agree with Dr. James White. His position regarding the distinction between sympathy and empathy is biblical. While I have little to add to the "Is empathy sin?" conversation, I would like to provide a word of caution regarding the "cage stage" into which some may enter when … [Read more...]
It Came Down to a Polaroid: And Why I Never Rely on Evidence in My Evangelistic Apologetics
Evidence is very important in a courtroom, and I try never to rely on evidence when engaging in evangelistic apologetics. Bike Patrol In the Summer of 1998, I was assigned to the Career Offender Robbery Burglary Apprehension (COBRA) team, at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Put that on a business card! By the time I … [Read more...]
Memes: Sometimes I Have Something to Say
meme \MEEM\ noun. 1: an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture. 2: an amusing or interesting item (such as a captioned picture or video) or genre of items that is spread widely online especially through social media. ~ Meriam-Webster Why Memes? Sometimes I have something to say. I don't always have the time to flesh out what I'm … [Read more...]
In the Lake of Fire: A Letter to My Church Family
With the above image in mind, this morning I sent my church family the following email. I hope it encourages you, as well. GFC Family, This image is circulating on social media. It is a picture, taken from a plane, of the current California wildfires, from above the clouds. After staring at this remarkable image for a few moments, my thoughts turned to the untold … [Read more...]
Self-Love: Rethinking the Doctrine and Its Use in Evangelism
I have often told people the reason they don't see the gospel as a message of love is that they love themselves more than they love God. I was wrong. Evangelista, Semper Reformada "Preacher [or 'evangelist'], Always Reforming." That's the English translation of the Latin phrase Evangelista, Semper Reformada. I have now proclaimed the gospel on the streets and have preached … [Read more...]
Listening to Sermons: Student; Preacher; Evangelist; Son
I have been listening to sermons for 32 years. During that time, I've listened as a student, a preacher, and evangelist, and a son. Blessed by Expository Preaching I've been blessed all my Christian life (going on 32 years) to sit under expository preaching. Every pastor of every church to which I have been granted membership has been an expository preacher. Every one of them … [Read more...]
Evangelism Tactics: The Unbeliever Judges Himself Unworthy
If you've engaged in any kind of public evangelism, you've probably run into the unbeliever who says, "Doesn't the Bible say don't judge?" By rejecting the gospel the unbeliever judges himself unworthy of salvation. Here's a new way to answer this common objection. Exposition of Acts 13:46 A couple of Sundays ago, my pastor, Mike Reid, preached a sermon titled: "The Gospel … [Read more...]
