On Word Usage
Words are powerful things, evocative things. The importance of words are seen throughout the Scripture. Jesus is referred to as the Word. Romans x.16--Faith comes through hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ. It is words that communicate, and through words, the Holy Spirit works. John Owen says that we are enlightened by the Holy Spirit through the Words of Scripture as our intellect reasons and understands.
Why do I bring this up? Because just as the Holy Spirit can work mightily through our words, so also the Devil can use the power in words for his own purposes. Words are evocative; they bring to mind immediate emotional responses, images, memories, etc. When I say the word "Interlochen," immediately I experience an emotion, and as I meditate on the word images, smells, and eventually, memories flood my mind.
Therefore, words that are used to communicate spiritual content in the Bible must be used for the same ends that they are used in the Bible. Otherwise, we are manipulating familiar words in order to serve our own purposes. This is especially potent in those generally familiar with these words.
Today, during a session on evangelism, three phrases were used. "Sowing the seed," "watering the plant," and "reaping the harvest." These are very familiar phrases in an evangelism context. Two familiar passages are referenced by these. The parable of the sower, and I Cor iii.
Let us compare the way these phrases were being used, and the way they are used in Scripture.
"sowing the seed"--initiating a intentional relationship, or having a stimulating conversation with a non-believer.
"watering the plant"--Unclear usage, but presumably continued intentional contact, probably by a different person from the "sower."
"reaping the harvest"--Someone coming to Christ.
Now, in Scripture:
"sowing the seed"--The proclamation of the Word, or delivery of the gospel
"watering the plant"--presuming conversion (sincerity not determined), encouraging and exhorting towards fruitfulness.
"reaping the harvest"--Variable. Sometimes as conversion (harvest is plentiful, workers are few), sometimes the end of days in which fruitful plants are separated from the chaff.
The goal of this seminar was to give us a vision for "relational evangelism" which doesn't involve "proclamational" content.
posted by Steven at 4:21 PM
2 Comments:
He also talked about cultivating the soil. Cultivating the soil would be more of the relational process, I feel. Involving kind acts, kind words and living godly lives as an an example to others.
He wasn't saying "Don't proclaim the gospel." I feel he was trying to communicate that you can proclaim the gospel without given a 5hr sermon. You can proclaim the gospel through telling the story of your life, through sharing what God is doing in your life right now or even throwing in a sentence or 2 about Christ to others. It's a huge part of our lives, the gospel is what we eat and breath, it would be impossible to keep it out of honest conversations.
I think the teacher was trying to warn us that you can't always bust out the bridge, but you can always be kind to others. That does not diminish our need to proclaim the gospel, but to remind us there is a time and a place for everything and God uses it all for his purpose.
7:56 AM
I don't disagree with the content of the seminar necessarily, Valerie. I enjoyed it. I was just commenting on his use of those terms, which I feel was dangerous,
7:46 PM
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