Four Categories of Evangelism Programs - Evangelism Unlimited

Thomas P. Johnston 1031
Cooperation and Separation Issues?
Introduction: The conservatively-oriented New Testament Chrisatian may have issues with other Christians
at various points. It is helpful to know which are the most important, which are secondary, and which are
tertiary, as these issues are often sometimes muddled together in an ecumenical goulash (“It’s just a
matter of biblical interpretation”). The following issues and their assignment are meant to introduce the
concepts and to show various hues of interpretation and application.
Level of Issue
Level Three
(of less importance)
Level Two
(important)
Level One
(of highest importance)
Atonement issues
Substitutionary atonement versus
any other model
Running water or use of a pool
Mode of believer’s baptism by
immersion
Believer’s baptism versus infant
baptism
Belief in believer’s baptism versus
Baptismal issues
belief in the salvific validity of
baptism as a sacrament
[Augustine’s “signs and
symbols”]
Biblical Issues
e.g. Belief in multiple fulfillment of
OT prophecy
Absolute authority of the Word of
God
Calvinism issues
The exact order of the pre-creation
Belief in predestination
decrees in the mind of God
Limited atonement versus
Total depravity of man
universal atonement
Charismatic issues Speaking in tongues
Not adhering to a “health and
wealth” or prosperity gospel
Conversion versus non-
Conversion issues
conversionistic
Belief in being born again versus
indifference toward this doctrine
Creation Issues Theistic evolution
God did created the heavens and
the earth
Dispensational issues Belief in the seven dispensations
Priesthood of the believer and
Ecclesial issues Architecture (not too expensive please)
local congregational rule versus
bishop rule or papal authority
End time issues Pre-tribulation rapture Premillennial return of Christ Imminent return of Christ
Ethical issues* Attendance at movies
Acceptance of homosexuality as
an alternate lifestyle
The church’s primary mission is to
fulfill the Great Commission
Evangelism issues
Exact Gospel presentation used, as
there are many good ones
Sinners prayer Initiative or expectant evangelism
Altar call
Lost people must hear the Gospel
to be saved
Gender issues Ordination of deaconesses Women preachers
Lord’s Supper
Vessel in which the cup is passed or
whether one partakes as a family, in
small groups, or as a church
Belief in the non-salvific quality of
the Lord’s Supper versus
assigning a sacramental grace
to partaking of the symbols
*Many more issues may be added to the Ethical issues list. These examples may spark some interest in the mind of the reader.
Also see my charts on the atonement (Charts for a Theology of Evangelism, Charts 65-75)
With whom will you cooperate?
With whom will you separate?
What are the boundaries for your theology and why?