Marks of the Messenger is not a how-to guide to evangelism, it's not steps or strategies to gaining more converts. Instead, this excellent little book by J. Mack Stiles lays the groundwork for a life that is gospel-centered and naturally evangelistic. For example: I'm convinced that the greatest obstacle to healthy evangelism is pragmatism: "doing evangelism"...Success drives pragmatic evangelism. Pragmatic evangelism never asks the question "Who are we to be as an evangelist?" Pragmatic evangelism only asks the question "What works?" (p. 19)J. Mack Stiles certainly didn't set out to write a faddish book (and by no means did he) yet Marks of the Messenger addresses how a life centered around the Gospel and evangelism informs how we should think about such hot topics as social justice, the missional movement in a post-Christian age, and the narcissism and self-love of our culture. When speaking of social justice, he says the following:
"The gospel message is the message that produces salvation. So we should never confuse meeting physical needs with sharing the gospel. Caring for others represents the gospel, it upholds the gospel, it points to the gospel, it's an implication of the gospel, but it is not the gospel, and it is not equal to the gospel." (pp. 68, 69)While some may disagree with his position on social justice, every reader will find the vast majority of the book to be easily readable, applicable and commendable. (Every reader will also find it at the Westminster Bookstore for 33% off the retail price at $10.05. Sorry, shameless plug!)
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars
Recommended for: Every Christian in ministry, small group leaders, any Christian wanting to be more comfortable in sharing their faith.
This book was a free review copy provided by InterVarsity Press.
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2 comments:
you are obviously very well read and very intelligent but I've got to be honest 99% of the time you are talking way over my head. Could you please take it down a notch so that numbskulls like myself can grasp what you are talking about. In other words put the cookies on a lower shelf so that I can reach them. hahaha.
Sure! Basically, this book is about living the sort of Christian life that is naturally evangelistic. He hits some hot topics along the way, but for the most part, he's simply painting a picture of how a Christian life, properly lived and understood, is its own evangelism.
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