Through the Lens of Francis of Assisi
Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words.
The reason why many people love that quote is how it surprises us by showing the way we’ve limited how to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. I found a post where someone extends what Francis of Assisi said about preaching the gospel, applying it to other aspects of the Christian life. Here’s an example:
Worship always, and when necessary, use music. (Matt Stone)
I acknowledge that it seems a little cheap to substitute a few words on great quote. But I can’t object to examining our preconceptions if it’ll yield a broader perspective.
Rob says:
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:05 am
I love this particular quote as Francis notes the power of living one’s life as a form of sharing the Gospel.
I know in my own life often times the greatest times of encouragement and joy occur when I involved in something like servant evangelism.
kenny says:
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:06 am
I’m curious about this “servant evangelism” I’ve heard about on the CD blogs. Is it a platform for the “words,” that is, is it the way you earn an audience for the Gospel with the non-believer? Is it simply the flipside of the coin of faith, the Jamesian, ‘faith without deeds is dead,’ in that it’s the only natural correlary to the “words” of the Gospel? Is it a replacement for the “words”?
It seems to me “words” are always necessary to preach the Gospel, but maybe music isn’t always necessary to worship. Every biblical example of an act of service that is accompanied by “words” of the Gospel.
But I do appreciate, what you’re saying, J, about challenging a certain conception to examine the underlying assumptions.
-Dave says:
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:48 am
If I had to pin down “what is servant evangelism” it would be closes to the James view: faith without works is dead.
The church is well known for its words. Whether or not the imagined words are the same as the church itself uses, the premise “Jesus is God who died for your sins” is not unfamiliar in America.
The problem, is that the words are diluted, and are often seen as being without deeds, hollow, and just what “those people” believe. Without deeds, the well-known words are not Truth, merely an opiate.
Until people see the truth of God’s presence, working through the lives of those who claim to know Him, I don’t think the familiar words will carry any weight.
Christianity is not just a propositional statement. It is a life-altering decision. And until people see altered lives, I don’t think they’ll care to join in.
In a whole other vein, it is simply an acting out of the “Whosoever would be great in the kingdom of heaven must be last of all and servant of all.”
kenny says:
October 23rd, 2007 at 12:51 pm
That makes sense, Dave. I suspect I won’t be the only one who remembers Dave Pastrel’s sermons on Mark, in which the “key verse” was ‘even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.’
It seems like there might be a variety of aspects of service-oriented Christianity. For example, in addition to “servant-evangelism,” you might have “service as worship,” “service as faith” (which James seems to be implying), “service as obedience,” “service as love,” and there are probably more examples.
jose says:
October 24th, 2007 at 11:33 am
One of things I try to bring up from time to time is that serving others gives credence to the gospel we preach, not just for hearer, but for the one who preaches. I do fear we won’t take advantage of the opportunities God creates through our actions.