Q&A Friday: From a Reformed perspective, why do evangelism?

This is a good and common question; particularly when folks hear that God predestines and choose those who will believe (Eph. 1.4), and that this choice is not initiated by the sinner’s will but by God’s (Jn. 6.44; Rom. 9.15-16). So why do evangelism?

Here is my short-list:

-1- God says so

This is always an easy one. The great commission (Matt. 28.19-20) is the evangelistic mandate to go and tell others about Christ, that they might believe and receive the Savior. To not do evangelism is to disobey God.

-2- Evangelism glorifies God

Jesus Christ is the supreme delight of God (Matt. 3.17; 12.18) and there is no place where Jesus is more magnified and the Father more pleased than at the cross. Therefore in the message of the gospel we are not just summoning sinners to esteem Jesus we are declaring his excellencies and in this the Father is pleased and glorified. The glory of God is the ultimate objective of everything Christians do (1 Cor. 10.31) and is the ultimate objective of evangelism as well.

-3- The gospel is the only means of salvation

There is no other way of salvation (Jn. 14.6; Acts 4.12; Rom. 10.17). So I must hold forth Jesus to them in evangelism. Yes God does elect, he does call, but he calls through the gospel. So as an evangelist I want to be obedient, glorify God, and see sinners saved. This only happens through the gospel.

It is helpful to note that throughout church history Calvinists have been some of the most passionate and faithful evangelists. In addition to the Apostle Paul, who did “all things for the sake of the elect” (2 Tim. 2.10), consider for example, Charles Spurgeon, William Carey, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, and Asahel Nettleton. All of these men were used by God to bring revivals to a region and an era. In reading them it is impossible to miss the fact that it was their theology that drove their evangelism.

Consider this quote by Spurgeon: “If God would have painted a yellow stripe on the backs of the elect I would go around lifting shirts. But since He didn’t I must preach `whosoever will’ and when `whosoever’ believes I know he is one of the elect.”

–Fridays are Q&A Fridays here at IrishCalvinist.com so if you have a question fire it in to…

Possibly Related posts:

1. Q & A Friday :: Do you use the sinner’s prayer in evangelism?
2. Q & A Friday :: How can pastors find opportunities for evangelism?
3. What is the aim of evangelism?
4. Evangelism Linebacker
5. How Evangelicals Can Undermine God -in Evangelism

6 Responses to “Q&A Friday: From a Reformed perspective, why do evangelism?”

1. Seth McBee says:

   January 12, 2007 at 10:18 am

   erik.
   this has got to be one of the biggest notions against Calvinists…people take us as being hyper…always….

   I love the way Paul puts it; may we all pray in the same way:

   I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,
   Romans 9:1-3
2. erik says:

   January 12, 2007 at 12:40 pm

   I agree Seth. The Romans passage/attitude is great. Paul demonstrates how to pray and sleep like a Calvinist.

   erik
3. Manspeak says:

   January 13, 2007 at 9:23 am

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4. Bob says:

   January 13, 2007 at 10:01 am

   Don’t forget the evangelism that Calvin did in Geneva.
5. Armen says:

   January 15, 2007 at 11:37 pm

   This is my first time here and what can I say. It’s always encouraging to read the posts of a fellow brother in the Lord, especially when our theology is similar.
   I’m from Northern Ireland, but currently ministering in Australia.

   God bless!
6. Alicia says:

   January 16, 2007 at 10:36 pm

   Thanks for this post Eric, I’m pretty much in line with all five points now, thanks in large part to your thorough and Biblical explanations on this blog. My next questions to work back through were how to relate the doctrines of election and limited atonement back to the Great Commission. Your post was well-timed once again.