Questioning Evangelism

I've been reading the book Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman. The book selection was prompted by the fact that I just recently started the first job I've ever had in which I work with unbelievers. I've never been around so many non-Christians or had so many opportunities for conversation with them. In fact, I was very thankful for an opportunity just a few days ago to have a two-hour conversation with a co-worker regarding Christianity. We talked about a variety of issues such as the problem of evil, the origin of the universe, the apparent difference between the "OT God" and the "NT God," and of course the Gospel itself.

I found in this conversation that Newman's counsel was very practical and helped me carry on a more clear-headed and balanced conversation. When my co-worker started leveling the "How could a good God permit such evil?" I calmly replied, "Let's begin with you explanation of evil; where do you think it came from?" He seemed shocked and certainly didn't have a reasonable response. So before even adressing his question, we explored his own ideas.

I'm thankful for that conversation and pray that there will be more to come. Below is a quote from the early part of Questioning Evangelism that summarizes his advice so far in the book:

"I'm proposing a style of evangelism that is a dialogue more than a sales pitch. I'm pleading for conversations that lead to conversions rather than presentations that lead to preconceptions. I'm encouraging the use of questions more than the use of answers. The apostle Paul found validity in adding 'reasoning, explaining, and proving' to his arsenal of evangelistic weapons. So should we."

Time for a Makeover

This post comes with another book recommendation. I just finished reading Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. Perhaps none of you are in need of this book, but as we begin marriage, Stacy and I are also starting our money makeover. We are learning together to be wise stewards of our finances, which among other things, means paying off all our school loans aggressively. Ramsey's principles are biblical and simple...more about behavior modification than magic bullets. But it is an excellent book...not only is Ramsey gifted in seeing financial matters clearly in light of Scripture, but he has a very encouraging and motivational tone throughout the book that would inspire even the most desparate of individuals. If you or anyone you know is working through financial matters, this book would be an invaluable resource.

A book for our wives and maybe us too-

The good Dr. Dever asked me to review this book for the bookstall a couple of weeks ago. I probably received a few funny glances from others when they would see me reading this book in coffee shops. Put the funny/confused looks aside, I "deeply" enjoyed the book. It was gospel saturated and actually challenged me to be the kind of husband a godly woman can follow. The chapter contributions by Barbra Hughes and Carolyn Mahaney are worth the price of the book. I was really challenged about my desire for children by Dorthy Patterson. This is something that you want to get in the hands of women in the church. It posed good questions for singles as well as married women. It has convicting truth about biblical feminism. A must have for your books stall boys. Get it!