God-Centred Evangelism

In "God-Centered Evangelism" R.B. Kuiper (student of B.B. Warfield and later a professor of Westminster Theological Seminary from 1933-1952) delivers a volume aimed at the advancement evangelism utilizing the biblical method and message. Kuiper's stated his purpose as a "plea for a God-centred, in contradistinction to man-centred, evangelism. In other words it presents a theology of evangelism" (p. 8). First addition was published in 1966 and the edition I am reviewing in 1998. Chapters include: - God the Author of Evangelism - God's Infinite Love and Evangelsim - God and the Scope of Evangelism - God and the Urgency of Evangelism - God and the Means of Evangelism - God and the Triumph of Evangelism - And many more theology based essays on evangelism Bible-minded believers need to witness more often. The great English Puritan, John Rogers, one time stirred up his congregation for the lost by imitating the screams of the souls in hell. Hell should prompt your mouth to open and trumpet the truth of God. Your love for Jesus should enkindle your heart to urge Christ upon the pagan; your glorious union with Christ should prompt you to yearn for the salvation of those God has providentially set in your path. It is no longer you who live, but Christ lives in you, the one who loved you and died for you. As a Christian, Jesus lives in your heart by faith. Jesus said, "I came to seek and save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Since that was one of His goals, and He dwells in our hearts; we must follow Him as a seeker of the lost. To arouse your heart for the unsaved: ponder the cross, consider the love and excellencies of Jesus, look to the glories of heaven, and the eternal pangs of hell. As one old preacher said, "I want the stench of hell in my nostrils and the splendor of heaven in my eyes." God Centered Evangelism is a wonderful book (247 pages) on witnessing. Kuiper exhorts the church with the following: "God commands sovereignly and for that very reason must be obeyed... To apply the foregoing to evangelism, the sovereignty of God comes to vigorous expression in the many missionary commands of the Bible, and in the measure in which one recognizes the divine sovereignty, in that very measure must one be zealous in carrying out those commands." Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things (Luke 24:46-48). [for more essays on biblical evangelism see my book: God Does Exist!: Defending the faith using presuppositional apologetics, evidence, and the impossibility of the contrary

R.B. Kuiper's God-Centred Evangelism, written in the mid-20th century, is as relevant now as it was when first printed by Banner of Truth in 1966. The book is Bible-saturated, clearly written and very helful. Each chapter begins with the word "God", focusing the reader's attention on the intent of the book. Much of the book is just an excellent review of the biblical truths regarding the love of God, the sovereignty of God, and God's work in salvation. In addressing these subjects, Kuiper deals thoroughly with their application to evangelism and what acceptance of these truths forces us to reject (universalism, moralism, fatalism, etc.). This book is intensely practical because it lays the biblical foundation necessary for faithful evangelism. My favorite illustration from the book is on page 155 and is a good example of Kuiper's writing style and content throughout the book . . . "A criminal finds himself in prison, locked in his cell. A visiting friend calls out to him: 'I have good news for you.' With eager expectation the prisoner demands: 'What is it? Out with it! The answer comes: 'Be good.' Well that might drive the prisoner mad. Yet, precisely that is the only message which some who call themselves evangelists have for the sinner. It is not good news. It is not news at all. Good news for the sinner is that provision has been made for his release from sin and hell."

This is a solid review of evangelism, especially in relation to God and His sovereignty. Do not expect quick gimmicks on how to "win souls" here. This book provides a solid theological framework for evangelism. So often modern day evangelistic efforts lack depth, and the ideas being presented in this book are a great antidote to that! Not all parts of this book interested me, but I found it to generally cut right to the heart with a simple writing style that powerfully exhorts the reader with both emotion and reason! Kuiper definately has a great writing style, not spectacular but very Biblical and digestable.

Evangelism is the heart and soul of Christianity. Telling others the truth about our wretched condition before God, and His gracious provision in Christ is not optional. The problem with much of today's evangelism is that it is aimed at appealing to the hearer--the so-called "seeker sensitive" movement being a prime example. But if you have any experience with such methods, you know that they are ineffective at best, and harmful at worst. Kuiper gives evangelism the emphasis it deserves: a God centered presentation of the gospel. Yes, if you haven't figured it out yet, Kuiper is a Calvinist, and this book is simply a Calvinistic understanding of depravity, grace, and sovereignty. And yet, unlike many Calvinistic documents, this one gives asimple but effective instruction in the presentaion of the good news found in Jesus Christ. Tired of man-centered preaching that does no one any good? Let Kuiper show you the glory of God as you preach the gospel of God!