CHAPTER 7 Defining Evangelizing - Evangelism Unlimited

346 Evangelizology
REASONS FOR
Reasons why “evangelize” should be the preferential English translation
of the New Testament Greek euvaggeli,zw
1. STYLE: Translating euvaggeli,zw as “preach” confuses it with formal preaching (cf. homiletics):
Within the four walls of a church,
From a lectern or podium,
To a stable grouping of people or regular congregation, and
In prepared homiletical style (such as “three points and a poem”).
Most New Testament evangelism, however, is of a different nature:
In spontaneous style (unprepared, unrehearsed, and individually-guided),
On the highways and byways (outside of the church walls), and
Individually (one-on-one), to groups, or to crowds.
2. APPROACH: Translating as “preach” has had the tendency for it to be confused with classical
rhetoric, which includes:
A non-confrontational approach, and
Sophistication and cultured reasoning.
Whereas New Testament evangelism includes:
Confrontation,
Persuasion, and
The unsophisticated communication by all Christians (e.g. Acts 8:4) of the death and
resurrection of Jesus, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
3. LOCATION: Translating euvaggeli,zw as “preach” limits the itinerant nature of the New
Testament command and example, wherein “preaching,” as understood today, generally occurs:
Within the four walls of a church, and
In one location for years (i.e. non-itinerating).
New Testament evangelism most often took place:
In the streets (outside of the church walls),
From city-to-city (emphasizing an itinerating ministry),
In homes or from house-to-house,
In the Temple and in synagogues,
In the judgment halls (cf. Phil 1:13; e.g. Acts 25:23-26:32)
Individually (one-on-one), to groups, or to crowds, and
In spontaneous style (unprepared, unrehearsed, and individually-guided).
In this context, note the change of emphasis (and power) in verses such as 1 Corinthians 9:16,
which the Holy Spirit has given us in the first person:
“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for
woe is me if I do not preach the gospel”
Note the formal feel of this verse, seeming to imply that Paul is under compulsion to
stand behind a podium to preach to a gathered congregation (in which case this verse
applies only to pastors), which betrays the context of Jesus’ use of the term in Luke 4:43,
and of Paul’s example in the Book of Acts (e.g. Acts 16:10).
“For if I evangelize, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is
me if I do not evangelize”
Note the informal emphasis and universal applicability. If this verse were translated in
this way, many a Christian and many a pastor would pronounce a curse upon themselves
for their lack of evangelism!
4. PERSON: Who does New Testament evangelism involve…?
Uniquely ordained clergy or unordained and untrained laity?
In many denominations, men are “ordained to preach the Gospel,” thereby limiting or
particularizing preaching only to the ordained.