I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus (Paperback)

by Don Everts (Author), Doug Schaupp (Author)
Key Phrases: postmodern path, seeker events, five thresholds, Threshold Four, Threshold One, Threshold Two (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Doug and Don and their brothers and sisters with InterVarsity have discerned a new movement of God's Spirit among our post-Christian, postmodern culture. Their insights from the frontlines of campus ministry provide a whole new paradigm for viewing the process by which one becomes a member of the kingdom of God." -- --Douglas Scott, writer and filmmaker, creative catalyst and video producer, Willow Creek Community Church

"There is great help in this new book by Don and Doug. It reveals clues on how God 'mysteriously and marvelously' moves people toward himself. I'm incorporating the content into my teaching, starting today." -- --Lon Allison, director, Billy Graham Center, Wheaton College

"This is a primer on how postmodernity affects evangelism. Doug and Don's observations are born out of experience, not theory. Their insights are accessible and applicable not only on the college campus but where you live and work." -- --Jim Henderson, author of Evangelism Without Additives and Jim and Casper Go to Church

"What's in the secret sauce? It took two decades of lab work to find out, but two campus ministers working two different kitchens have picked up the five pivotal 'thresholds' that usher postmoderns into faith. This will be high on my list of the most important books on evangelism published so far in the twenty-first century." -- --Leonard Sweet, Drew Theological School, George Fox University, www.sermons.com

"When it comes to evangelism, a one-size-fits-all approach has not worked for a long time--if ever. Schaupp and Everts have helped us all by actually finding out how students these days are making their way to faith. The view of evangelism that emerges is relational, natural and full of integrity. My students, even those who can hardly say the E-word without stuttering, will find their anxieties diminishing and their boldness increasing. This book is now a key component of my reading lists." -- --Stephen A. Hayner, professor of evangelism, Columbia Theological Seminary

Product Description
How do people come to Jesus in today's postmodern culture? Not by a mechanical, linear process of cookie cutter conversions. Nor by a nebulous spiritual wandering that never culminates in decision and commitment.

Over the last decade, Don Everts and Doug Schaupp have listened to the stories of two thousand postmodern people who have come to follow Jesus. While their stories are diverse and varied, certain common themes emerge. Postmodern evangelism is a mysterious and organic process that nevertheless goes through discernible phases, as people cross thresholds from distrust to trust, from complacency to curiosity and from meandering to seeking.

Everts and Schaupp describe the factors that influence how people shift in their perspectives and become open to the Gospel. They provide practical tools to help people enter the kingdom, as well as guidelines for how new believers can live out their Christian faith.

Product Details

• Paperback: 134 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (May 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 083083608X
• ISBN-13: 978-0830836086
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,300 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Not to be a Jerk for Jesus, May 24, 2008

By	D. Paisley Hillegeist "mompaisley" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For so many of us, sharing our faith is a frustrating exercise. We have the best of intentions, but end up being jerks for Jesus. We avoid non-Christians like the plague for a while. Then some one or some thing convinces us that we really ought to evangelize. So we gear up with self-righteous, fire and brimstone fear of hell for the next round.

And we wonder why Christians have a reputation for being judgmental, close-minded and angry. Why would anyone else want to be a Christian when we make it look so uncomfortable?

If this sounds familiar to you, you are going to love "I Once Was Lost". Get ready to be amazed at how easy sharing Jesus can be. It's a freeing, wonderful book full of insights and practical applications. Not a how-to book on evangelism. More like a how-come what we have been doing hasn't been working. And biblical, helpful ways to see the whole process of coming to Jesus differently than you ever have before.

Emphasizing relationship over religion and loving over lecturing; this book will give you the confidence to share what you love about Jesus and let Him handle the rest. A very special book that every Christian ought to read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ya Can't Treat Everyone The Same, July 8, 2008

By	Mike Klamecki "KlamMan" (Villa Park, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was a little worried about the book's approach when it stated it that there are five stages a pre-christian goes through before understanding what it takes to make a commitment to Jesus (as in, "Oh no, not another formula..."). But as I read I saw these stages as not being so much "steps to peace with God" but more like "steps to understanding the journey they are on". It is a book that snaps everything into place in your head if you have ever tried to unsuccessfully (or successfully) lead someone to Jesus. You will say, "Oh, that's why that person reacted the way they did!". Many times we operate on a different level than people are on. Too many times we are too eager to dump all of our knowledge and training on someone who is asking for just a little understanding. Other times people are ready to make the commitment but we are not seeing it and we let the opportunity pass. This book helps you to discern where people are in their quest for Christ as well as letting you know you are not the only one who screws up the evangelism adventure. A must read!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful, encouraging, biblical, June 24, 2008

By	The Oracle "lancelot916" (pasadena, ca) - See all my reviews

Don & Doug,

thank you and IVCF for this resource. With all the postmodern stuff out there I found this book extremely helpful. I appreciate you guys not entering into the whole postmodern church deal and just sticking to ministering to people. The 5 threshholds were helpful with subpoints for each of them.

thank you for your honesty and for listening to your community and to God about turning your experiences into a resource.