Vol. 17, No. 2, 2000

Articles on Other Religious Topics

Should Christians witness to members of other religions? Our cover story discusses a disturbing controversy surrounding evangelism: the public outcry criticizing Christians for trying to share the gospel with people of other faiths.

In today's culture, the philosophical question, "Is this true," has been replaced with the psychological question, "How does this make you feel?" The gospel just doesn't "feel good" to unbelievers. In fact, it has a way of making non-Christians feel very uncomfortable. The Bible describes the Gospel as an "offence" and "foolishness" to the lost. It is not surprising, then, for the world to brand the gospel messenger as offensive and foolish.¹

This is nothing new or unexpected. What is unusual, at least in North America, is the growing belief that evangelizing other faiths is morally wrong. Reaching out to those in other religions is no longer seen as simply impolite or bad manners. Instead, Christian evangelism is now beginning to be viewed as something dangerous.perhaps even criminal.

Watchman Fellowship has received strong criticism at recent meetings in Montana and North Carolina for our outreach to Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. The Billings Gazette and the Winston-Salem Journal ran prominent stories about our seminar, which created a firestorm of controversy in the communities. Versions of both articles were picked up by the Associated Press and received major circulation in such newspapers throughout America as the Washington Post. When we arrived, we were interviewed for the evening news by the local ABC, NBC and Fox network affiliates. The newspapers received a flood of letters: most that they published were negative and accused Watchman of intolerance, hate, and "targeting" minority religions.

We believe in freedom of religion. We do more than just tolerate the existence of other faiths - we celebrate religious diversity. I believe Mormons have every right to believe in Mormonism, but I also believe that I have a right and a responsibility to try to evangelize them.²  Our desire to reach them is motivated by love - not hate. As for the charge of "targeting," critics should note that Christians have specialized  ministries to reach various people groups. This is why many churches have youth departments, singles ministers, and Spanish language services.

It is true that we have specialized outreach for Latter-day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses, and other people groups. When did something like this become newsworthy? Haven't Christians always sent missionaries to reach those in other religions? In our changing culture this is now considered to be news. and it's not seen as good news. An even more discouraging trend is the growing number of evangelical Christians who also believe that witnessing to people in alternative religions is bad news.

OK.. I'll confess. We plead guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit evangelism. We want to convert those in alternative religions to what we firmly believe is the only true gospel of Jesus Christ. If you share our convictions, I would like you to let us know that you are standing with us. Your generous donation and prayer support helps make our ministry possible. Would you consider supporting Watchman right now? We need you to be a co-defendant in our conspiracy to commit evangelism.

 1 Of course this is no license for Christians to be offensive or to employ poorly reasoned arguments in explaining or defending the gospel. Realizing the gospel naturally has this effect; Christians should be all the more motivated to be courteous and wise when sharing their faith.

 2 The Mormons get little criticism for sending over 65,000 missionaries to convert non-Mormons including evangelical Christians. But when evangelical Christians send a handful of missionaries to convert Mormons, they are the ones being intolerant.

The Gospel and Contemporary Perspectives Douglas Moo, General Editor The Bible Forum Series, Volume 2-The Gospel is God's revelation and His purpose through Jesus Christ. The first five chapters challenge the suppositions of the Health and Wealth gospel within the church. The latter essays provide intellectuals tools for discourse with neo-pagans, Universalists and pluralists, 202 pgs., Endnotes. $15.