Monday, December 07, 2015

The odds of the Old Evangelization today: What alternatives are there?


This is iconic. The Christian Faith represented by a stalwart fellow with a good heart made to look like a hopeless old geezer, mocked and ridiculed by Muslims who would rather scoff at him than behead him.

What would the New Evangelization propose as an alternative? Dialogue? Friendship evangelism? Pre-evangelism? Like what?

God bless this old fellow. At least he spoke what he could of the truth. For the record, St. Francis had about as much luck in his jaunt into Muslim lands.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

blasphemy rather than evangelization

KK said...

This video, to me, is just sad. I believe in Jesus, but I would imagine that it is scenarios like this that would prompt the ideology expressed in songs like John Lennon's Imagine.

Mick Jagger Gathers No Mosque said...

He is preaching the Gospel to acolytes of a false religion whereas our modern Popes enter Mosques, take off their shoes, and face Mecca.

This old man has the vigor of a Faith forever young and if there were no cameras around, he'd be ,martyred.

John said...

Anonymous,

Are you saying that this guy is committing blasphemy rather than evangelization? If so, why? What part of his message is untrue? What part of it is blasphemous? Unless you're a Muslim and ignorant of the true identity 'Isa ibn Maryam who will judge your soul at the end of history.

KK said...

I think anonymous was referring to my comment, John.

KK said...

Good questions.

I believe in spreading the good seed of Jesus. The resurrected life produces good fruit.

But I do not believe the resurrected life speaks like either parties in the video.

"Perfect love casts out all fear."

"Speak the truth in love."

Shouting at each other, calling each other liars--I just don't see that as productive speaking.

I do admire that preacher for trying, however. And, perhaps, he is acting from love. It just did not appear so, to me.

On Dec 8, 2015, at 1:32 PM, John wrote:

John has left a new comment on the post "The odds of the Old Evangelization today: What alt...":

KK,

Why do you believe in Jesus? Is it important? If so, why? Why should anyone believe in Jesus? If there's a good enough reason (let me see ... like, for example, if he was the only way of escaping the fires of the hell we deserve and getting into heaven), who wouldn't want others to also believe? Just askin' ...

KK said...

Consider Mother Teresa amongst the pagan lepers in India. Can you picture her speaking like this to them, to whom she referred to as "Jesus, in his distressing disguise"? Her example of evangelization, to me, is the gold standard. And I'll wager she had more converts than most. Not that her way is the only way, but the spirit of her way--that is the expression of a life that has passed through death & Hades and has overcome them both.

Anonymous said...

John, Vatican II says this: "The Church has also a high regard for the Muslims. They worship GOD, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the CREATOR of heaven and earth, who has also spoken to men. They strive to submit themselves without reserve to the bidden decrees of GOD, just as Abraham submitted himself to God's plan, to whose faith Muslims eagerly link their own. Although not acknowledging him as God, they worship Jesus as a prophet, his virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devoutly invoke. Further, they await the day of judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead. For this reason they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms­deeds and fasting."

James Joseph said...

The idea behind the Dialogue, I understand. Begin to get non-christian to consider that Man is made in His Image. Unfortunately, this plays into the idea everyone owes me something because of who I am. Consider the sin of shirk.

John L said...

I tried to come up with a softer expression than contempt for the criticisms made above of this brave Christian man, but there isn't a suitable one. This means you, KK and Anonymous.

Anonymous said...

Mother Theresa was more concerned with mankind's respect than mankind's eternal destination.She encouraged and esteemed false religions.She was not catholic yet was perfectly in line with the false Vatican 2 gospel which praised and esteemed false religions.

KK said...

I stand corrected, anonymous. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2015/12/mother-teresa-sadistic-religious-fanatic/