The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission: Promoting the Gospel with More Than Our Lips - Softcover

Dickson, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0310515475 ISBN 13: 9780310515470

Publisher: Zondervan, 2013

Synopsis

This book comes out of years of reflection, failures, and some successes in the task of reaching out to others with the gospel. Many Christians think of the task of mission as an entirely verbal activity, when perhaps the best kept secret of New Testament teaching about mission is that it involves a whole range of activities that explicitly promote Christ to the world and draw others to him, and only a few of them involve speaking. Without diminishing or downplaying the importance of speaking the gospel, John Dickson shows that, on the other hand, downplaying the range of activities that promote Christ to the world has its own set of problems. It can make those who are not confident about speaking—of anything, let alone Jesus—feel inadequate and self-conscious in the task of reaching out to others. Equally, it can make those who do have a flair for speaking feel as though they are fulfilling Christ’s mission just by talking. But the reality is that the Lord wants our whole life, not just our lips, in the task of bringing the gospel to the world. Every facet of our lives can be used by God to promote the news of his power and mercy. In this practical guide to the biblical art of sharing your faith, John Dickson offers refreshing insight into the ways that all Christians can and should be involved in spreading the good news of Jesus. While not all Christians are called and gifted to become evangelists, we are all called to promote the gospel through a wide range of activities—prayer, financial partnership, good deeds, godly lives, public worship, daily conversation, etc.—with and without our lips. As readers engage with this book, grapple with its arguments and hear the stories of people coming to faith, they will be inspired to see the whole of life as significant for bringing the gospel to the world, and they will be liberated out of guilt and self-consciousness in evangelism into becoming perfectly natural promoters of Jesus Christ.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

"Dickson explains the whole picture of evangelism with so many real-life stories that one cannot fail to be drawn in to the excitement of this many-sided gospel work. Here is a book offering fresh energy for the whole task of the whole people of God."
--N. T. Wright, Bishop of Durham 

"Biblical, balanced, and--well, brilliant."
--Christopher J. H. Wright, international director of Langham Partnership International, author of The Mission of God and The Mission of God's People

"This book has the potential to radically change for good your perspective on evangelism."
--Alistair Begg, senior minister of Parkside Church, Cleveland, Ohio

"This is as lively and sensible a book on evangelism as I have seen."
--I. Howard Marshall, emeritus professor of New Testament, University of Aberdeen

"A terrific book . . . theologically rich and practically helpful."
--Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University and senior editor of Christianity Today

"Even--or perhaps especially--if you do not consider yourself to be a gifted evangelist, John Dickson will encourage you to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ."
--Collin Hansen, Christianity Today editor-at-large and author of Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist's Journey with the New Calvinists

"This is a message that needs to be heard."
--Jim Belcher, author of Deep Church

"A biblically rich and powerfully written book on evangelism . . . that encourages us toward a lifestyle of living and speaking the gospel in our culture today."
--Tremper Longman, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College
"Dickson offers a thoroughly biblical account of evangelism, informed and enlivened by stories from his own experience. Most refreshing and inspiring."
--Richard Bauckham, Senior Scholar, Ridley Hall, Cambridge
"A wonderful mix of thoughtful reflection on the Bible and down-to-earth practical application."
--Vaughan Roberts, rector of St. Ebbe's Church, Oxford, and president of The Proclamation Trust UK

About the Author:

John Dickson (PhD, Ancient History) is the author of more than a dozen books, Rector of St Andrew's Roseville, and a busy public speaker. He has hosted three TV documentaries and is a regular media commentator. In 2007 he founded the Centre for Public Christianity. He has held lecturing and research positions at both Macquarie University (Sydney) and the University of Sydney, where he teaches a course on the historical Jesus. A visiting academic in the department of Classics at Oxford University for 2017-18, he lives in Sydney with his wife and three children.

 

About this edition

• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0310515475
• ISBN 13: 9780310515470
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240