28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Fruit of Prolonged Meditation, August 20, 2004
With new books on evangelism appearing almost every week, I sometimes wonder why I should read any particular one over another. (Usually it is because of the author. Rarely is it because of some genuinely new insight into the evangelistic task.) But in the case of this new work, the answer is immediately plain. It is both the absence of hype and the author's unwillingness to exalt technique. Like the evangelical church itself, too many books on evangelism exhibit an over reliance on the tools and insights of psychology and marketing strategy. While this is not all bad, yet the biblical and theological foundations on which the ensuing `latest techniques' and `most dynamic strategies' rest are often superficial at best. In contrast to this kind of focus, The Heart of Evangelism serves to remind us of what is truly essential to evangelism: a humble dependence on God that is matched by faithfully doing what is ours to do.
Beyond its tone and basic thrust, another reason for reading this particular work lies in the author's intention and content. Concerned that Jesus and the apostles inform our practice of evangelism, close attention is paid to their instruction and example. Committed to recovering a New Testament pattern of evangelism, the body of this work opens (not unexpectedly) with a study of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:6-11). Its different horizons are discussed, as is what this commission means for our own prayers and daily lives.
Turning from our responsibility to the role of the Great Evangelist Himself, this work makes much of God and the infinite variety of means He employs to draw people to Himself. First, the account of the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40) is employed to counter any sense of God being reluctant to save. Then, Namaan the Syrian (2 Kings 5), the Widow of Zarepath (1 Kings 17), King Manasseh of Israel (2 Kings 21:1-18; 2 Chronicles 33:1-20), and the author's own testimony (pp.116-125), are all utilized to exemplify the diverse manner in which God works in people's lives.
Having established that God is not reluctant to save, what follows is an investigation of some of the barriers that stand in the way of our working to complete the Great Commission. Barriers within ourselves (like guilt, fear, uncertainty and over commitment), and barriers erected between the church and the world are examined and ways of dismantling them suggested. Furthermore, it is within this context that some of the peculiar stumbling blocks of postmodern culture are treated and a broad means of Christian response outlined.
The final section looks at the principles of communication that characterized the evangelistic ministry of the apostle Paul. Distilled from several Pauline messages delivered in various settings (Acts 13:14-52; 14:8-18; 17:16-31), and focused by the apostle's ardent desire to be all things to all men (1 Corinthians 9:22), the author articulates seven principles which ought to govern our presentation of the Gospel. Combined with the previous section, what these principles really provide is an approach that advances evangelism beyond that of a series of raids on enemy lines and the carpet-bombing of total strangers with memorized Gospel outlines. Rather, having broken down the "Us" versus "Them" mentality, evangelism is once again made to center around the establishing of meaningful relationships and the purposeful, personal communication of the good news.
The obvious fruit of prolonged meditation on the ministry of Jesus and on Paul's endeavor to imitate Christ, this volume represents a biblically grounded, God-reliant and honestly achievable means of practicing evangelism. A satisfying and freeing work, The Heart of Evangelism, shows the evangelistic task to be something we engage in in partnership with God and in reliance on His grace. It portrays our involvement in the Great Commission not as a chore to be `over and done' with, but as an invitation to grow in our relationship with God and man, even as God works through us to reach and bless the lives of others.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Launch Pad for Relevant Evangelism, February 16, 2009
This review is from: The Heart of Evangelism (Paperback)
Jerram Barrs writes a great book to give anyone a good foothold and foundation in evangelism. Many times in our culture we view a good evangelism book as one with a step by step method or many great trivia-facts that will impress or convince those we are speaking to. Professor Barrs takes another route - and a better one I believe. In The Heart of Evangelism he seeks to find common ground in the way that God is already working in an individual's life through God's common grace. He focuses on how Jesus goes about his ministry here on earth. There is a strong focus on love, hospitality and genuine care for the person.
This book is made up of very short chapters (maybe on 3-6 pages each). I would view this book as a great devotional style book, or one that can be used easily for discipleship and small group settings. There is much to chew on in this book, so slow down and meditate on the nuggets of wisdom Prof. Barrs gives you.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Couldn't Put It Down, August 9, 2010
This review is from: The Heart of Evangelism (Paperback)
Highly recommend it. Having an EE background, this book offered a fresh perspective that everyone should read.
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