True Evangelism: Winning Souls Through Prayer [Paperback]

Lewis Sperry Chafer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1998

A classic that expounds biblical evangelism by explaining topics such as false forces in evangelism, salvation as the objective in evangelism, and conviction by the Spirit. (20040603)

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[ True Evangelism] . . . deals with some of the common difficulties involved in personal evangelism. [It] emphasizes the basic need for spiritual power and the need for earnest prayer if witnessing is to be effective. (Cyril J. Barber Ministers Library ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Lewis Sperry Chafer (1871-1952), American Presbyterian clergyman and educator, was born in Rock Creek, Ohio; studied at New Lyme Academy and Oberlin Conservatory and College, both in Ohio; studied under C. I. Scoffield; and was ordained in 1900. In 1924, he founded the Evangelical Theological College (now Dallas Theological Seminary) and was its president and professor of systematic theology until his death. His many other works include Satan, True Evangelism, Grace, Major Bible Themes, and the eight-volume Systematic Theology. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 106 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Pubns (December 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825423457
• ISBN-13: 978-0825423451
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,227,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evangelism God's Way, September 8, 2000

By 

Brad Doskocil (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: True Evangelism: Winning Souls Through Prayer (Paperback)

Chafer depicts in this book an analysis from the Bible of the two most important things about witnessing for Christ. First the importance of sharing the correct information, that Christ being God became man, paid the penalty of the entire human race for sin on the cross by his spiritul death, and rose again to provide eternal life. This eternal life can be obtained by the simple act of belief in the savior. The second thing stressed in the book is the necessity of prayer for the unbeliever, for only God can bend the will of an unbeliever. If only the church would discard its gimmicks and rely on God's truth and focus on the accuracy of the message a great revival might occur. Chafer's book is a witness to this truth.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Evangelism--Not Human Manipulation, June 12, 2005

By 

H. L. Nedrow (Incheon, South Korea) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: True Evangelism: Winning Souls Through Prayer (Paperback)

Lewis Sperry Chafer was a theologian, author, andthe founder of Dallas Theological Seminary. Several other books I am reading now are rather overweight considering their contents but this volume is slim, only 100 small pages, and filled with ideas to savor.

The previous reviewer is correct in that when this book was originally published it received many scathing reviews from Christians. Why? Because Chafer take aim at manipulative forms of evangelism in the first chapter of his book called "False Forces in Evangelism. Chafer believes that only God changes peoples hearts and that it is harmful for Christian ministers to try to manipulate people into "coverting." He defend his views from the Scripture and does so skillfully yet briefly. Chafer particularly criticizes meetings which try to manipulate people into coming forward and preaching which make it seem as if salvation is dependent upon raising your hand in a meeting or kneeling at the altar. He also criticizes the view that evangelism is only for certain people, i.e. so-called "evangelists", and that it is best done only a specific season, the "revival"

Chapter Two, "Salvation: The Objective in Evangelism," is theologically rich. Recognizing that the objective of evangelism is salvation, Chafer explores the elements of salvation. He speaks of salvation in "three tenses" on p. 29, "The believer was saved from condemnation . . . he is being saved from the habit and power of sin . . . and he will be saved from the presence of sin" and focuses mainly on the "first tense." I appreciated his seven-part summary of the changes that occur immediately a person comes to Christ, especially his reminder that one who believes is now clothed with the righteousness of God. Without such a reminder, it is easy to forget the real object of evangelism is not a simple conversation but salvation.

Chapter Three, "Conviction by the Spirit," explores the central importance of the Holy Spirit in evangelism. All Christians whom I know acknowledge the necessity of the conviction of the Holy Spirit, but few of us take time to meditate on that truth. This chapter emphasizes how foolish the gospel is to an unbeliever and how impossible it is for him to belief through his own power. Chafer does not write to discourage people from attempting evangelism but to encourage them not to neglect their own spriritual lives and to rely on the Holy Spirit's conviction rather than their own persuasive skills.

Chafer only gets better in Chapter Four, "The Prayer of Intercession." He is refreshingly scriptural and God-centered in its approach to prayer. His brief descriptions of the privileges given to the people of God to approach him in prayer for the sake of other people were inspiring to me.

The idea of "intercession" is carried on in Chapter Five, "Suffering With Christ." Chafer develops the idea that we can share in the ministry of Christ by sharing in his sufferings. I thought it was helpful to be reminded that suffering is not an pointless part of true evangelism. Sharing the gospel is not making a sale or winning an argument but doing my utmost to bring the benefits of the suffering of Christ to a lost world, regardless of whether that brings suffering to myself or not.

This book wouldn't be complete without its final chapter "Cleansing of the Priests." Those who go out as representatives of Christ cannot be effective in intercessory prayer, in sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, in explaining the gospel without first being in a right relationship with Christ. I believe this is why the New Testament epistles say little about going out and "doing evangelism" but much about developing a pure and holy community and being conformed to the image of Christ. People who are living in sin are not able to be effective evangelists and should not be pushed to do so.

In short, this book is a short but Scripturally rich exploration of evangelism. I was afraid it might be a tract trying to harangue people into going out and "doing" evangelism. Instead, I found a deeply Scriptural, theologically deep, yet beautifully brief description of the nature of true evangelism. True evangelism is God-centered and God-directed. True evangelism is not a burden but a joyful product of service to Christ.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good; balanced and honest..., September 17, 2005

By 

Sam M. Tannenbaum "Sam" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: True Evangelism: Winning Souls Through Prayer (Paperback)

I'm reading this as part of my evangelism class at DTS, and I really enjoy it. It's systematic and rational. I especially appreciate the way Chafer cites the 'evangelism career path' that has infected the thinking of so many in this century.

The review below cites only revenue loss as evidence for this book's impotence; but when has God ever needed the bottom line as evidence of His blessing on a work?