Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

The Ethics of EvangelismRev. Donald WeilersbacherPastor of San Diego R. P. ChurchFrom last weekDuty of EvangelismHowever, even though evangelism may be importantand have eternal effects, the case for evangelism can notbe established merely by a discussion of values. Theimportance of evangelism must be reinforced by introducingthe duty of evangelism..Duty consists of "action required by one's occupationor position, proper behavior toward a superiorperson, and obedience to someone respected." The dutyto evangelize lies primarily on the Church. MartinMonsma asserts:... the work of evangelism in its more purposeful andorganized form is definitely the prerogative, the privilege,and duty of the instituted or organized church.Neighborhood visitation evangelism is a work of the localcongregation. It should be done by having the pastor andlay groups work together. If the Church is unconcerned,the individual must take up the task — with or withoutorganized support.Man's duty results from God's total claim on the lifeof man. Who created man? Who redeemed man? No areaof life can be excluded from God's total claim. Comparingoneself with another does not reduce man's duty. Nor cangood intentions substitute for the performance of duty.Carl F. H. Henry defines "sanction" as:. . .an objective consideration, implicit or explicit,which enforces a moral imperative upon the agentfrom outside him.He further elaborates and says,Sanction for ethical conduct includes such considerationsas the nature of God, the Divine promiseof reward, the Divine threat of punishment orcoming judgment, the love of God, and gratitude forprovision of redemption.Jesus said:All authority hath been given unto me in heaven andon earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of allthe nations, baptizing them into the name of theFather and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:teaching them to observe all things whatsoever Icommanded you (Matt. 28:18-20).The apostle John wrote:Hereby know we love, because he laid down his lifefor us: and we ought to lay down our lives for thebrethren (I John 3:16).... he that saith he abideth in him ought himself alsoto walk even as he walked (I John 2:6).Paul wrote, "Ye are bought with a price." Likewise thePsalmist had said, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so"(Ps. 107:2a).How, therefore, can the Christian avoid being awareof his own duty or moral obligation to evangelize? Accordingto the recently cited verses, God's total claim onHis chosen ones naturally follows Christ's command,Christ's example, Christ's atonement, and the believer'sprofession of Christ. Furthermore, the Scriptures seem toteach that individual responsibility increases according topersonal knowledge, and the time elapsed since oneaccepted Christ.. . .to whomsoever much is given, of him shall muchbe required . . (Lk. 12:48b).For when by reason of the time ye ought to beteachers, ye have need again that some one teachyou the rudiments of the first principles of theoracles of God; and are become such as have need ofmilk, and not of solid food (Heb. 5:12).DESIRE FOR E VANGELISMNevertheless, having examined the Scripturesconcerning the value and duty of evangelism, there can beno evangelism without personal desire for it. If there isabsolutely no desire to evangelize, then perhaps there hasnever been a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Onemust admit that the non-Christian does not burn to seesouls brought into a saving relationship with their Lord.Therefore, before discussing the desire for evangelism, thewriter assumes that the reader himself has found life inJesus Christ.What is a desire or motive, but "a subjective reasonfor obedience."? That is, a motive implies an inwardlydynamic self-regulating principle. According to Carl F. H.Henry,Motives for ethical obedience may include fear ofpunishment or of God, or desire for future or presentreward, or love of the good for its own sake, or lovefor God, or imitation of Christ, or gratitude for God'smercies.The apostle John wrote that the Christian loves Godbecause God first loved him. Yet even before love,gratitude must fill the heart.Not anv desire or motivation is good enough toevangelize. Some people believe that "where there's a will— there's a way." This is untrue. Wrong motives comefrom sin or ignorance. Such motives may be characterizedby a feeling of pride or a morbid fear of the wordevangelism. In either situation Satan will always capitalizeupon the occasion.MARCH 24, 1971 -i