Frances Adeney, Graceful Evangelism: Christian Witness in a Complex World. Baker Academic, 2010.
Referenced in: Theology and Practice of Evangelism
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
This is a balanced look at the nature and practice of evangelism. Adeney begins by surveying definitions of evangelism, both the official definitions of church councils and denominations as well as ones that have emerged out of informed practice. This is followed by Part One, a look at the history of evangelism, especially at crucial transitions such as the Reformation, the Great Awakenings, the nineteenth-century worldwide mission movement, and the fundamentalist/modernist movement of the early twentieth century. The next chapter examines five biblical models of evangelism – imitating the life of Jesus, relieving oppression, Great Commission, living daily lives as witness (Paul), and being ready to give an answer (Peter). This is followed by a chapter recounting how these biblical models were carried out through the centuries that followed in the persecuted church, the church fathers, the monastics, the medieval Europeans, the Reformers, the early colonialists, the liberationists, and the more recent postmoderns. One chapter details the Western missionary movement of the nineteenth century and how it shaped evangelism, especially in America.
Part Two looks at where we are now. This begins by outlining evangelism in twenty-first century America with the influences of cultural diversity, religious pluralism, philosophical relativism, postmodern perspectivism, postcolonial critiques, fundamentalist/modernist controversy. Adeny also looks at the mishandling of evangelism by charlatans and health-wealth purveyors. The next chapter discusses global mission trends, especially the growth in Africa and Latin America. All of the above have affected contemporary theologies of evangelism.
Part Three considers where we go from here. Adeny offers a refocus of the goal of evangelism under the umbrella of seeking the abundant life, that as we experience the abundant life we want to share it with others – the poor and others. Other chapters attempt a definition of evangelism and how to pay attention to one’s context.
Part Four consideres the challenges to crafting a graceful evangelism.
This is a helpful volume, though the historical and current overviews in Parts One and Two are perhaps the most helpful sections.
From the Publisher
The word evangelism evokes strong reactions among Christians. Conflict about what it is, whether to do it, how to go about it, and the desired results divides churches, demonstrating the need for new theologies and methods that address today’s religiously pluralistic and secular contexts. This book offers a comprehensive treatment of evangelism, from biblical models to contemporary practice.
Frances Adeney shows that understanding different contexts and approaches to evangelism and accepting the views of others on this crucial topic can help replace the “evangelism wars” (social action vs. proclamation) with a more graceful approach to sharing God’s good news with the world.
About the Author
Frances S. Adeney (PhD, Graduate Theological Union) is William A. Benfield Jr. Professor of Evangelism and Global Mission at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. She has authored and contributed to many books, including Christianity Encountering World Religions, Christianity and Human Rights, and Christian Women in Indonesia: A Narrative Study of Gender and Religion.
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