The American Family Association has done a lot of good things, but this one makes my head explode.They are selling pins like the one on the left that you can wear during "Silent Witness Week" April 1-8. Now, I'm sure they mean well, but I don't think that most people need any encouragement to be a silent witness for Christ. Since, in my experience probably about 99% of Christians are doing a bang up job at being a "silent witness." They never open their mouth to be a witness for Christ - they just "let there life do the talking." Well, I'm afraid our lives must not be doing enough talking because there's not very many people getting saved by all of the "silent witnessing" that's going on.
By the way, where in the world did we ever get the idea that we were to be "silent witnesses?" When I read the Bible I find that we are supposed to open our mouth and bold proclaim...So, let's break the silence and have a "Break the Silence Witness Week" instead.
Another plus with having a "Break the Silence Witness Week" is that you can save your money by not having to buy more cheap Christian junk...just a thought.
Superb! I would add this payer that is often omitted in study of the whole armor of God:
ReplyDelete(Eph 6:18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(Eph 6:19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
(Eph 6:20) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
David
TheNewsBeats.com
I know a lot of people buy into the idea of a silent witness being the ideal way to witness. Some get it from St. Francis of Asissi:
ReplyDelete"Preach the Gospel always and if necessary use words."
I'm all for letting the light of Christ shine through our actions, but come on! Words are necessary!
Romans 10:14:
But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
You ASSUME that they ONLY witness silently.
ReplyDeleteYour post showed up on the Christian Research Network. I am all for them practicing SILENCE.
You may have a valid point. Being posted on CRN ruins your credibility.
I shall promptly return my order of those buttons... ;)
ReplyDeleteThis old nugget of wisdom rings as true of James Dobson as it is true of us all: "The best of men is still a man at best".
ReplyDelete"He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)
I'm not sure we should throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater simply because of the title of their project. Wearing a button saying that Jesus lives is not "silent." It is a powerful statement for others to see and read. My guess is that it could lead to some fabulous discussions that God can use.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of your comments.
ReplyDeleteThe point of this post was not to critize the AFA. Like I mentioned, they do a lot of great things.
Really the point of this post was to point out the bigger problem which their campaign caused me to think about. I'm not trying to throw out the "baby with the dishwater." I just think the whole idea of having a "Silent Witness Week" is ironic since most Christians are having a silent witness year or life...
I just think that if we're going to have some kind of witnessing emphasis, it should probably involve having people actually witness, rather than continuing the silence.
I've found that this whole concept of "letting my life be a witness" has become a great excuse for people not actually sharing their faith. Yes, our lives are a witness, but that's not the kind of witnessing that Christians are called to do. We are instructed to go into the world and preach and teach and make disciples - this all involves opening our mouths.
May God help me!
I'm not sure what being posted at CRN does for your credibility. I do check that site, but I don't know much about the ones who run the show at CRN. Although I'm sure that Bruce is better than everyone at CRN, and whatever it is that they disagree on, I'm sure that Bruce is right and they're wrong. (I'm just bust'n your chops)
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, I don't think that there is any assumption going on. I have been hanging around Christian people for about 25 years and never once has anyone ever said anything to me about Christianity. I'd say that's pretty silent. Especially since they believe that there is a chance that I could go to hell.
25 years is pretty silent.
The truth of the matter is more likely that people are consistently calling themselves Christians when in fact they have never even heard nor submitted to the gospel truth. Let your light so shine was meant to call the Christian to a life of love, holiness and sanctification from the world but in a man-focused desire to not offend it has been used to justify the unjustifiable - one who claims to have been redeemed and empowered by the Holy Spirit yet is incapable of explaining what the message of the gospel is, nor is willing to risk face, friendship or popularity to convey it clearly to the lost.
ReplyDeleteAs long as we've got massive churches ever-broadening the gates to "heaven" with their wider grace approach to evangelism we will be witnessing more and more of these upside down methods of witnessing for Christ.
May God have mercy on us all for our silence when we should have boldly declared to others, as Jesus did in Mark 1:15 to "Repent and believe the gospel" that they might be mercifully saved by the grace of our Sovereign Lord.
In Christ Alone,
Bill
I don't have much Christian jewelry, and no Christian clothing, but I thought the pin was tasteful and really liked it. I understand the young pastor's point of view that we should verbally share our faith, not be silent, yet I don't see anything wrong with someone wearing such a pin. I don't really care for Christian T-shirts, but that's just me. I think it's unfortunate the pin was marketed as a silent witness, when it could easily be a springboard to open up a conversation about Jesus' resurrection. Just my .02, I enjoyed all the comments, negative and positive.
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, I would have to largely agree with the original post....much to my own conviction. But in all fairness, I have met many Christians whose idea of being a verbal witness resulted in the spiritual version of a California blackout by turning everyone off to "their" Christianity. I believe that all witnessing must be done with tact and care, and yes, when necessary, just shut up and live the life.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, Jon, verbally witnessing for Christ has consistenty held the greatest impact throughout history. And the silent witness (aka the way you "walk the walk") should go hand-in-hand with the words coming out of your mouth.
Well, there's my $.01 (sorry...I'm broke this month).