It’s quite an interesting
debate as to what the difference is between “to evangelize”
and “to proselytize”.
But I think you can find it in
three things.
One, is in
our MOTIVES. The motives of evangelism are good
motives, they are seeking the glory of Christ, that he should be given the
honor that is due to him. In proselytism,
our motives are often false; we are triumphalistic; we’re wanting glory to our
church, to ourselves, to our denomination, to our agency, whatever it may
be. And it’s when motives are skewed
that evangelism becomes proselytism.
Secondly, it’s
the question of METHODS. What method do we use in evangelism? Now, whenever you’re using any kind of
inducement, if you’re offering, say, in the Third World, you’re offering to
feed the hungry IF they will accept Christ.
That is FALSE inducement.
Or, if you’re using psychological
pressure techniques, even warning people, you know, they’re going to hell
if they don’t. You can even twist that
into our psychological pressure technique.
That’s a false method.
Our only method is to make
known the good news as honestly, fully, acceptably as we possibly can, and
commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
That we reject all underhand
and disgraceful ways.
So, our methods are different,
our motives are different. Maybe I will
add a third: our MESSAGE is different. In proselytism, you’re speaking AGAINST other
religions, AGAINST other ideology. In
evangelism, you’re only speaking for Jesus Christ and uplifting Him.
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