Customer Reviews

Living Proof: Sharing the Gospel Naturally

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Honest admission: this is the first evagelism book that I have read. Having said that, I am very glad that I started with this one. In it, Jim Petersen gives Christians a contemporary discussion about evagelism, based on a lot of research, analysis, and the author's years of experience in the field. I really enjoyed this book, and learned a lot about evagelism for numberous reasons.

First off, the book is well researched. The author does not just give his opinion on how Christians should try to share their faith. Instead, his recommendations are based on many surveys, studies, and his personal experiences over the past few decades. Some of the statistics that he sites in the book will really open your eyes about the challenge today's church faces when it comes to evagelism. Despite the existence of numerous "Mega-churches" across America, we are still failing to reach a majority of the population who have no idea what Christianity is all about.

Secondly, I liked the book, because the author sticks to the basics, and avoids denomination bias. He uses a simple formula when it comes to evagelism. We need to help others understand the Gospel, not the specifics of our denomination, but the fundamentals. Christ crucified for our salvation is our bottom line, and the Bible is our primary source.

Thirdly, the author takes a realistic approach to evagelism, so that everyday Christians (myself included) are not overwhelmed by our role in the great commission. Mr. Petersen makes it very clear that not everyone is ready to receive Christ as his or her personal savior. That the process of conversion may take some time, and our role when talking with others (and living our life before them) may be just to help them find the truth of the Gospel out for themselves.

Lastly, I liked the fact that this book is filled with practical advise. The author does not just talk about evagelism, but he offers many practical ways to get started in this area. Before reading this book, I always thought that eveagelism was better left in the hands of others. I did not feel like I had the skills required to help others understand the message of the Gospel. Having finished this book- I come away thinking that I can do this, and should get involved.

I highly recommend this book to any Christian who is trying to better understand what evagelism is all about. It is an easy read, and will help answer many questions you may have about how to help further the Kingdom of God.

If you're like me, you've always wanted to be part of moving someone to Christ. Also if you're like me, you've never done so. You've studied about, talked about, maybe even seen it done, but the whole "in your face" event always seemed something good, but something for someone else.

Jim Peterson aggrees! - the event probably is for someone else. That, however doesn't mean that we're not supposed to move people to Christ, nor does it excuse us from the process. His book, Living Proof, lays out a conceptual framework of a normal, part of your life, process of taking people from where ever they are to Jesus.

How? Read the book. I will tell you, however, that I've got a non-Christian couple in a John study with my wife and I, and a couple more of our friends moving in that direction. Check it out.

I'm only half way through this book but I am ready to give it my full endorsement. Mr. Peterson uses relevant personal examples and very lucid Biblical explanations detailing how we can witness without feeling awkward or uncomfortable. His challenge to live a Christian life worthy of the Calling is both inspiring and eye-opening. Never have I seen such a perspective that is both doable and applicable to our postmodern generation. I would give this book 10 stars!!!

If you've heard of Alpha, the wonderful 10-wk intro to the Christian faith, Living Proof shows how to have what you might call little Alphas everywhere, with specific, exciting plans for reaching out to friends who know and care nothing of Jesus and the Bible. Because it starts with how we live, and reminds us that the Christian life is based in God's great love for us in Jesus, it'll renew your own faith as well. Petersen says we're meant to work together in community on evangelism, which certainly adds to the fun as well as reducing the fear. He's a practical man who has tried his methods in evangelizing college students in Brazil and elsewhere -- and that's a challenging crowd. He helps us separate Jesus from "cultural Christianity," another area where you can see that his thinking would mean a great deal to your own life as well as your witness.

this is a brilliant book that i'll re-read as long as God keeps me on this planet...and i'm eager to give it as a gift as well! If 'out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks,' then Petersen has managed to capture in words the awesome miracle that transpires when a son/daughter of Christ has the holy privilege of being used by God to share His glorious grace....not because we 'have to' or 'ought to' - but because Christ's love COMPELLS us to and it truly is a natural overflow of our hearts to do so! Buy this book, read this book, give this book - it's THAT good!

I think this book was originally published as separate volumes under different names, now brought together under a single heading. There is a slow build up to the good stuff, but it makes some very good points. The rating is only four because I think there are better alternatives out there, including Evangelism for Normal People. With that said, I thought this book valuable enough to re-purchase it (I loaned it out a few years ago and never got it back, so I bought it off Amazon, hence this review).