Is Sharing Our Faith Optional?

Many Christians today seem ignorant of their calling to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). They don’t realize they are to “contend for the faith” (Jude 3) and must always be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

Roxanne Stone, the editor in chief at Barna, explains why she believes Christians seem unaware or unconcerned about their God-given mandate to share the gospel:

So what’s happening here? Why are Christians so reluctant to talk about their faith? The overarching cultural trends of secularism, relativism, pluralism and the digital age are contributing to a society that is less interested in religion and that has marginalized the place of spirituality in everyday life. . . . As a result, Christians in America today have to live in the tension between Jesus’ commands to tell others the good news and growing cultural taboos against proselytizing—a core part of Christianity from its origins and, many practicing Christians believe, is essential for the salvation of their listeners.

She claims it’s partly because Christians have been so influenced by the culture that they no longer think biblically on this issue. Instead, they think like the culture around them. If you struggle to think biblically about evangelism, I encourage you to get equipped with biblical teaching, evangelism resources, and techniques by visiting LivingWaters.com. We love Living Waters—they have a real heart for the lost and provide excellent, high-quality witnessing resources.

A big part of evangelism is apologetics (faith-defense).

A big part of evangelism is apologetics (faith-defense). You must be prepared to answer people’s questions (or to follow-up if you don’t know the answer). And a big part of what we do is equip believers for evangelism, providing answers to the skeptical questions of our day, so that Christians feel emboldened to share the good news of Christ to a dying world.

I encourage you, if you don’t already, to regularly visit AnswersinGenesis.org. We’re also continually posting new content that will equip and encourage you to share Christ with others.

Get More Answers on Answers News

I discussed this item on Answers News today with regular cohost Bodie Hodge and guest Bryan Osborne, AiG’s curriculum specialist. Answers News is our twice-weekly news program filmed live before a studio audience here at the Creation Museum and broadcast on my Facebook page and the Answers in Genesis Facebook page. They also discussed the following topics:

• Should a man who killed his unborn child be released from prison?
• A judge overturned a euthanasia law in California.
• Did Jesus ride a dinosaur?
• And more!

Be sure to join us each Monday and Thursday at 2 p.m. (EDT) on my Facebook page or the Answers in Genesis Facebook page for Answers News. You won’t want to miss this unique news program that gives science and culture news from a distinctly biblical and Christian perspective.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.