Questioning Evangelism

One of my professors at seminary used to tell the students that we needed to not only use Christ's message, but also His method and His manner. With that in mind, I wholeheartedly commend Randy Newman's book, Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People's Hearts the Way Jesus Did. Don't stop reading! This is a book on evangelism that you will enjoy! It is encouraging, Biblical and helpful! (Not to mention humorous - I don't think I've ever enjoyed reading a book on evangelism more!).Newman states that "the goal of Questioning Evangelism is to help people know how to think about an issue more than what to think. This book will help followers of Jesus to develop their minds ("the mind of Christ") more than their methodologies, giving readers a sense of what to say. More important, though, readers will grow in confidence, knowing what to ask, because this is a book about questions--questions that Christians can ask to move the conversation in a Christ-ward direction, questions that non-Christians are asking (either directly or indirectly), and questions that Christians can use as answers!" (pp. 15-16).The book is divided into three sections - each one is very helpful in a different way. Part 1: "Why Ask Questions?" lays out the Biblical & practical reasons why using questions can be a much more effective way of interacting with non-believers and getting them to think in new ways about their own belief system and the Christian alternative. As Newman writes, "Answering a question with a question...often has significant advantages over using direct answers. It brings to the surface the questioner's assumptions. It also takes the pressure off you--the one being asked--and puts the pressure on the one doing the asking. Shifting the burden of the response is important because as long as we're on the defensive, the questioners are not really wrestling with issues. They're just watching us squirm." (pp. 29).Part 2: "What Questions Are People Asking?" gives a theological and practical way to think about discussions with non-Christians about real questions they have. Some of the chapter titles include: "Why Are Christians So Intolerant?"; "Why Should Anyone Worship a God Who Allowed 9/1?"; and "If Jesus Is So Great, Why Are Some Of His Followers Such Jerks?" (I really liked that last chapter!). In each chapter, Newman gives Biblical wisdom to think on, and practical examples of real and imagined conversations on these topics (all using questions wisely of course!).Part 3: "Why Aren't Questions and Answers Enough?" deals with the areas of evangelism where we-the evangelists-often have the problem! He deals with heart issues of indifference, anger and lack of listening. Or as his chapter titles describe them: "The Question of Compassion: What if I Don't Care That My Neighbor Is Going To Hell?"; "The Question Of Anger: What If I Really Want My Neighbor To Go To Hell?" and "The Question of Silence: When Is It Time To Shut Up?".Questioning Evangelism is helpful, encouraging, thoughtful, grace-centered and (I think) a very fun read! I want to finish with one sample of how much fun it is (from the chapter on listening): "My dentist drives me crazy. He asks the most thought-provoking, debate-inducing questions right as he puts sharp, pointed objects into my mouth....The sign in his waiting room serves as his motto--as well as a warning to his patients: "Blessed are those who engage in lively conversation with the helplessly mute, for they shall be called dentists." I sometimes wonder if some of our evangelistic conversations sound like interactions between my dentist and me. One side posits a question, not really expecting an answer or listening for a response. The other side sits frustrated, not really getting to answer or expecting to be heard." (pp. 240).If you would like to be more encouraged and equipped in your efforts to share your faith - this book is a must-have & must read!

The title caught my attention. What was the author saying with such a title? That we shouldn’t share the Gospel with people? The teaser from the back cover explained why and the concept behind the book kept me coming back for more.Author Randy Newman poses the question, “Have we been approaching evangelism with the wrong angle?” His book answers the question with a affirming, “Yes.” For years, Christians from all denominations and backgrounds have been taught to give out tracks, lead people through the “Romans Road” or “Ten Commandments Test,” leave them with the Gospel and move on. But what happens when people don’t respond? What happens when their questions go past the “Romans Road?” What do you say to win over someone who is jaded, angry and sick of intolerant, hypocritical, judgmental Christians?As easy as it would be to say, “Well, not all Christians are like that,” most of the time, that answer won’t make up for the bad experiences people have had with other Christians in the past. The question is, what will they experience with you? And, how do we make sure that we don’t act or answer in the same way?This book is all about asking the right questions. Through thirteen chapters, this Questioning Evangelism will guide you through a series of ideas and theories that will change your mind on how to approach evangelism. The author opens the first chapter with an example of how the traditional form of evangelism failed when he was witnessing to a guy who had sincere questions that went deeper than what the Gospel track explained. The rest of his book introduces new ways and ideas to make a lasting, compassionate, yet, firm witness to the lost and dying world. After the main idea is presented, Randy takes each chapter to explain different ways we can address the questions/situations that are considered “controversial” and handle them with tack, but be to the point and make people think at the same time. People seldom want to be preached at, but most are open to discussing questions (when carefully approached in a non-offensive manner.) For example, there is a chapter that talks about abortion, why Christians are “intolerant,” why Christians believe marriage is good and why some people who are Christians are, as the author put it, jerks. LOL.I really, really liked Randy’s approach to witnessing and I’m convinced that if Believers would use this method more often, they would see more results. This approach reminds us that people don’t want to hear memorized answers we learned from apologetics books; they want Christians to be compassionate listeners. They want to know that people care, even if we can’t answer the really tough questions of life. You will find the book divided into three parts – Part 1 deals with why asking questions is the best way to start and keep a witnessing conversation successful, Part 2 looks at the questions people are asking in our modern world and Part 3 covers the situations when questions and even the best available answers aren’t enough when people are deeply wounded. If you’re involved in ministry or seeking to be a bright light for Christ in your workplace, community or outreach programs – I highly recommend this book!I read the Kindle version of this book, 272 pages.

Or are there?This book, although a slog at times, is one of those sources of insights and strategy that makes it a gem. Everyone needs to be able to give an answer for their thoughts, beliefs and hopes (and even fears) - for those with a faith this is even perhaps more important. For those who are Christians, this is something the Bible calls us to do.This book will enable you to start along the road to being able to give an answer for the hope that you have in Jesus; those already in that path will find in the book him,to and reflections to hones those skills and abilities already developed.It a perfect book - but a valuable aid nonetheless.V

I have found this a very interesting and practical book. I am hoping to put what I have learnt from it into practice and it is good to have the book to refer back to when I need to refresh my memory on the general approach of sharing my faith by engaging others in conversation by asking questions about what they believe and opening up discussion in a helpful way, instead of trying to defend my beliefs when people are not interested.

This is the kind of stuff that works. If you are really interested in having profitable, productive conversations about the Lord then this book will help. I was surprised at how much space was given to homosexuality and marriage but it all was useful.

A very challenging book -a good purchase

This has to be the best book on evangelism I have ever read. Very practical and useful in evangelism. Brill!