Sipping a single-origin Americano in a sleek, modern coffeeshop in downtown Austin, Texas, I struck up a conversation with the person sitting next to me. He asked me what I do for a living. As a church planter, I described our commitment to city renewal through the gospel of Jesus. My new acquaintance replied, “Religion is not my thing, but man, that’s good for you.”
According to a 2020 survey, about 6 out of every 10 adults (58%) agree that “identifying moral truth is up to each individual; there are no moral absolutes that apply to everyone, all the time.” Many people believe that truth is merely “what’s true for you.” No doubt you’ve encountered similar statements. How should we respond this sentiment?
Individualized truth isn’t the only obstacle to evangelism. Others are skeptical of evangelists because their lifestyle doesn’t match their Savior’s teaching. Take Joel Osteen’s River Oaks mansion valued at 10.5 million. Or high profile scandals such as Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church, who faces five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. How should we respond when people say they don’t want to be Christians because of all the hypocrisy?
Furthermore, some people are hardened toward spiritual conversations. When I told someone I was planting a church, they responded by saying, “We don’t need any more of those, man,” and walked away.
Given our society’s hyper-individualized view of truth, high-profile Christian scandals, and spiritual resistance to the gospel, is evangelism even plausible today? Should we just redouble our commitment to our local churches and let people follow their hearts? Let’s consider each one of these responses to Christianity, in reverse.
Spiritual Resistance
Spiritual resistance to the gospel isn’t something that exists with just a few hard cases. In fact, this resistance is present in all of us until the Holy Spirit authenticates the good news within us. The Apostle Paul comments on the human condition, “They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents…” (Romans 1:29-30, ESV). While this may not be an observable condition in all people, it is the natural disposition of every human heart. How then do we overcome this resistance?
At least 70% of conversions are what missiologists describe as “process conversions,” meaning people come to faith in Jesus after hearing the gospel multiple times. If this is true, it means some sort of resistance to the gospel is typical, not exceptional. If you don’t have a long line of converts behind your evangelistic efforts, you’re normal. In fact, the Apostle Paul reminds us that God is the only effective evangelist, “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:7, ESV). So, when you’re sharing the gospel, keep planting and watering, expect some tough ground, and ask God to grant the growth.
Ethical Resistance
Spiritual resistance isn’t the only form of opposition we encounter in evangelism. Some people are principally opposed to Christianity. This resistance often comes in the form of critique: “I can’t be a Christian because I don’t agree with the hypocritical lifestyle of pastors.” Or “I can’t get on board with Christianity because of its view of gender and sexuality.” How should we respond?
First, instead of sharing the gospel blandly—“Jesus died on the cross for your sins,” which is marvelously true—consider the reason behind an objection. Perhaps your listeners have been hurt by bigoted Christians? Maybe they have a relative whose pastor absconded with a mistress or with church money? Critiques are often connected to hurts.
Second, validate their concern wherever you can: “I agree that hypocrisy is wrong and it pains me too.” Or inquire whether they have been hurt by a hypocritical Christian. This may lead to a deeper conversation in which you can demonstrate just how healing grace is.
