North Americans think of salvation as an event, as a point in time where I can point to this day and say "I was not a Christian" and point to the next day and say "I am a Christian." Interestingly enough, the students in my Biblical Theology of Missions class believe that people come into the Kingdom in a process. There is no saying some magic words (repeat this prayer after me) and the immediate result being entrance into the Kingdom of God. My students admitted that perhaps that intense moment in time, that peak occurs sometimes, but the common experience of people in the former Yugoslavia is not like that. They come to Christ is tiny little steps and only Christ Himself could possibly discern when a person crosses into the Kingdom. Here it seems that an individual eventually comes to the realization that he or she is depending upon the justification and righteousness of Christ in faith (Rom 5:1), rather than trying to be good.
This really came to a head last year as we had a country-wide evangelization with a group of folks from California. They brought in some regular folks from their church, who had powerful testimonies. These men and women had honestly great testimonies and communicated them well. We took these communicators from the states around to our friends and acquaintances here and sat and drank coffee, and the locals heard these stories and at the end were asked if they would like to receive Christ as their personal Savior. About 80 percent of them said yes. All of those 80% were then lead in a repeat after me prayer . . . and some wanted to pray themselves. We were all thrilled and were rejoicing from our hearts. A year later?? Where are they?
In reality they are not in our churches. Our follow up with them was good, your connections with these individuals remains strong. I think that the real issue here is the magic word theology, the event salvation perspective. Maybe this works and really happens in America . . . but our folks seem fairly immune to coming into the Kingdom of God with a few magic words.
3 comments:
Interesting, I had no idea this might be culturally related. I thought it was just us more "process-oriented" individuals of any culture who responded in this way. I have a point in time - but it was relatively insignificant compared to the process that followed throughout the years later. And my father was the same way. My mother had a defining moment. But she is a black-and-white sort of temperament, whereas my father & I are more comfortable with ambiguity. For years I questioned my own salvation due to a lack of understanding of this. I feel sorry for anyone who's struggled with this. Point-in-time people need to be aware of and sensitive to process-people and not try to pin us down.
I spoke with a young man the other day who didn't understand why saying a prayer and being a baptized didn't change his circumstances and his proceeding life. Problem was that never had a heart change. There was never a real sense of repentance or obedience to the Gospel. He was hoping that the magic words of a "prayer of salvation" would fix everything. When it didn't, and a year later he still found himself on drugs and sleeping with his girlfriend and living a life in general overall shambles, he assumed that Christianity must not work. after all, he prayed a prayer. I grieve over those kinds of stories.
You know - I am not so sure that the issue isn't a faulty American understanding of Salvation. "Point-in-time-pray-a-prayer-sign-a-card converstionism is a realtively new phenomenon (circa late 19th century D.L. Moody and company). I think an understanding of what it means to follow Christ lies ultimately in the work of God in a heart - not my signing a card, or even praying. This takes time, understanding, prayer, patience - and ultimately the shining of a Divine and supernatural light into the soul. Growing in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ is an unavoidable process. Frankly, I personally have more patience with what we're calling "process people" than I do with those who will try to require a moment-in-time when the heart ... and the Spirit ... are not ready. I think this becomes particularly evident when we Americans cross cultural lines. At that point our oddness is magnified - and I think that magnification a good and helpful thing.
I had a moment in time, by the way. But the defining moment of my life was really defined by the process (if that makes sense).
Thanks, David, for so graciously writing on this important topic. I really think the American church desperately needs to evaluate evangelism and its related methodoolgy. Posts like this will make us think. Thinking is good. :)
Bernie Anderson
Is it possible that the "process" has lead or does lead us to that "point-in-time"? I mean, really if there is a process, then eventually there will be an end result. I have been taught and certainly believe that at the point of Salvation, the Holy Spirit indwells the re-born spirit. So, there is a "point-in-time", however we may not remember that exact moment with a time, date, and place. That moment does exist.
I think the problem lies with today's church that expands through-out many cultures not with any particular culture itself.
Over the years people were shown how to share the gospel in a way that tends to avoid the topic of Hell, respect people's lifestyle and their feelings, while promising a great life in Christ where all your troubles will be gone...that part was the magic and we all know that magic is not real. This would mean that being a Christian is easy, laid back, and care free. "Just say this prayer with me and you will be saved." So, what happens? People follow a prayer, think they are saved and life just isn't getting better. Why not? They said a prayer that gave them a "said Faith" not a trusting, changing heart. They are not saved, they are still lost. Next? They dump their new found name tag of "Christian" and go back to the life they lived before. Why? I think there was never any conviction, repentance, nor did they even realize their need for a Saviour or what they needed to be saved from. The need for Christ is real and without Him you go to hell. Harsh? Maybe, but so very true. Fact is, the Holy Spirit draws us to Christ for redemption. He convicts us of our sins, helps us to realize that we can not get to heaven on our own "good merit" but only by Grace, through faith in Christ...why? because we are all sinners going to Hell without Jesus. This is why He died, because we sin, we need a Saviour, and without His sacrifice, there would be no hope for salvation.
In closing, we should also note that when people do come to Christ, they are like babies...learning to walk, to talk, to react, to socialize....all from a new perspective, through the eyes of Christ and a new born spirit. Remember, 2Cor. 5:16-17 "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" We have to not only share the gospel with the world, but be mindful to disciple the new creations; teaching them, loving them, and encouraging them so they do not fall away but continue to make more and more disciples...Wow! That is exciting!
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