Thoughts on sharing the Christian faith in a post-Christian society

Christianity holds the exclusive claim that Jesus is the only way to the Father in Heaven.

How we present this exclusive truth in a post-Christian society is something every Christian struggles with, whether they realize it or not.

There are two main ways Christians handle this precious Truth.

• The "silent treatment"
• The "bully pulpit"

The "silent treatment" group seeks to avoid conflict with people from other faiths or with those who don't believe in God. They  hide behind the veil of "peacemaker" and don't say much about the exclusivity of Jesus at all. They don't want to offend friends, family members, co-workers, etc with the message of exclusivity and are uncomfortable claiming to hold "the Truth" over the heads of these individuals. So they stay silent regarding matters of faith. This group feels passionately about their own belief in Jesus, but they do not want to drive a wedge between themselves and those who do not buy into the exclusivity of Jesus.

The "bully pulpit" group is loud and proud about their faith and the exclusivity of the Gospel. They feel it is their duty to "offend" the secular world with the "Truth of the Gospel." In their minds, this is part of the Great Commission directive received from Christ. They are more than willing to confront the lost and non-believers, driven by their sincere faith and zeal. The "bully pulpits" believe they have a mandate and sometimes their presentation of the Gospel comes across like a hammer rather than a hug. They will say "the Truth hurts", unaware or not caring that their presentation of the Gospel comes across as non-loving or worse, not appealing at all. And they will often say they act and speak "out of love." They are sincere. They believe with all their heart. But they drive a wedge between themselves and those who do not buy into the exclusivity of Jesus.

Is there a better, third way? Is there a more effective approach to sharing the good news in a manner that is relevant, authentic and consistent with the heart of Jesus?

Sharing the Gospel is not a transaction of persuasion. The first thing I think every Christian should realize is that sharing the Gospel is not an argument to be won. We cannot persuade anyone into a decision for Jesus. Human persuasion will likely result in a short-lived commitment. People have to enter into belief on their own. Our job isn't to persuade them to decide. Our job, as Christians is to prompt seekers along the way, asking questions, sharing experiences, and praying for those who have embarked on the journey from unbelief to belief. When we cease to view evangelism as an argument to be won, we are liberated to "live with" our brothers and sisters who are exploring and growing in their own faith journey. 

Acts of friendship, kindness and love speak louder than any words we may utter. We can have the best thought-out theology. We can have the most sound Scripture. But as the old adage goes: "People won't care how much you know until they know how much you care."  The point isn't to persuade. The point is to "be".  Live your faith, not in words, but in action. Love. Don't be self-centered. Share your joy. Share your peace. If you have not these things, stop trying to persuade others until you find them through your own personal experience.  If we are miserable and complaining, yet insist on "persuading" non-believes to "accept the truth", those folks are going to think we are nuts! And we are! Who would want to buy what we're selling if it makes us miserable? You have to "have it" before you can "share it". And once you really have it, sharing it will be natural, loving, joyful, and full of peace.  The most persuasive thing Christians can do is to live out their love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control, etc.  If non-beleivers see it working in our lives, they may want some of what Christians have.

Understand Christians no longer enjoy "privilege" in society, so stop acting like it. The "silent treatments" inherently understand this Truth. Christianity is no longer the driving influence in society, like it or not. We do live in a post-Christian society where other influences wield greater control on morals, mores, and culture.  Its the driving force that keeps the "silent treatments" quiet. They sit on the sidelines because they sense this.  The "bully pulpits" lean to the other end of the spectrum. They are either unaware of this emerging dynamic, or they don't care. The problem with the "bully pulpit" approach in this environment is that these individuals lose all credibility with non-believers because every one gets the joke but them. The problem with the "silent treatments" is that they have raised the white flag with out a fight. Christians today, more than any time in modern history, must earn their way to the table, so to speak. We will only be able to this by living an authentic life before the world.

The Gospel message is exclusive in terms of Jesus being the only way to Heaven. However, let's not forget that the Gospel message is also INCLUSIVE of every man, woman and child. For God so love the world that WHOSOEVER believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. The Gospel is for everyone. It's not an exclusive club. There is no "privilege" in being "in Christ". So let's stop acting like it. When we approach ministry or church with a "country club"-exclusive attitude, we're missing the point.

The third way? Conversation. Rather than "preaching" at non-believers, our best chance to bring people into the Kingdom is to strike up a conversation. It means we have to be willing to listen to their point of view. It means we have to have a personal experience that we can actually share in the conversation. It means we have to be authentic about our own questions and doubts in our faith journey. It means investing time, maybe years, in the dialogue.

It also means learning to love, regardless of the presence of sin and leaving judgment up to God. If we can let go of judging others, we can have an open, authentic dialogue that builds the kingdom.