Ten Questions to Ask About The DaVinci Code

Steve Camp has posted "Ten Questions to Ask About The DaVinci Code". These simple questions (originally written by Don Whitney) should cause any thinking person to realize that the Christian "conspiracy" presented in the book is full of holes.

Finishing Well

This morning I heard an excellent sermon on the radio by Pastor John Piper. It was a challenging call to turn our backs on worldly success and instead take up our cross (with all the sacrifices and ridicule that may entail). Piper challenged us to stop focusing on making our lives easier and to start learning to have the attitude of Paul:

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." (Acts 20:24)

My favorite line from the sermon: "No one finishes strong without a fight". For someone like me, a spoiled and impatient American who likes to live comfortably and avoid conflict, it was something I needed to hear.

Listen to the sermon online here.

Why More Christians Don't Witness

(This is a re-post from the early days when no one was reading my blog.)


"Religious faith should be a private thing. I don't want to be a religious fanatic."

"Mind your own business. You don't have any right to force your views on someone else."

"You're going to offend this person. Don't say anything."

"He'll think you're a fanatic."

"This person will say 'no' and I'll be embarrassed."

When it comes to sharing the Gospel, have you ever wrestled with these thoughts/feelings? If so, the folks at ShareYourFaith.org have a terrific article excerpted from Bill Bright's book Witnessing Without Fear. Click here to check it out!

Free DaVinci Code Tract

The Da Vinci Code opens Friday and it's going to be a blockbuster. As you may know, the plot rests on the premise that Christianity is really a giant hoax. Of course the movie is fiction, and even secular scholars agree the movie's claims are bogus. The scholarship of DaVinci's author Dan Brown is on the same level as the "Elvis is alive" club. But we live in a culture where truth is relative and entertainment often trumps evidence, so this movie is going to create a lot of unnecessary doubts about Christianity in people's minds.

Fortunately there are a lot of great websites out there to help set people straight. Two that I like are The Truth Aboug DaVinci and Lee Strobel's DaVinci site (which includes some good video clips). But as helpful as these sites are, it's unlikely that most moviegoers will take the time to seek them out.

So I propose that we take the message to them...and at the same time we can present the Gospel. Why not go to a movie theater this weekend and hand out DaVinci Code-themed Gospel tracts to movie-goers as they leave? Here's a good tract you can download and print for free:




If anyone in the Minneapolis area is interested in going out this weekend, contact me. I'm planning to get a group together.

The Folly of Trying to Please Men

OK, I admit it....I like to be liked. I want to be respected. It feels good when I get compliments or a pat on the back. But even more than that, I hate being disliked. I fight a daily battle with the urge to please other people, to avoid conflict and just make everyone happy.

Not exactly the ideal profile of an evangelist, is it?

Fortunately, God is helping me learn that pleasing Him is more important than pleasing men. After all, Jesus said promised that those who follow Him would face persecution and rejection (John 15:19; Matt. 5:11; 2 Tim. 3:12). Some Christians seem to think that means seeking out ridicule and rejection just to prove how holy we are. That's not what I'm talking about at all. The Bible tells us to win the respect of outsiders and treat them with gentleness and respect (1 Thess, 4:12; 1 Tim. 3:7; 1 Pet 3:15). So there must be a holy balance somewhere between the two.

Nevertheless, for the Christian (and especially for the evangelist) rejection is inevitable. Which is why I'm so grateful for this article by Puritan Richard Baxter entitled The Folly of Trying to Please Men (posted by Steve Camp on his blog). It lists 22 reasons why trying to please others is foolish. If you desire to share the Gospel, sooner or later (probably sooner) you'll face rejection. Reading Baxter's words will go a long way towards encouraging you when that happens.

How to Witness and Preach Effectively

One of the guys at ShareYourFaith.org just sent me these notes from a sermon on evangelsim by Ray Comfort, which I'm reprinting here. Comfort (pictured above) is a street preacher from New Zealand who combines humor and wit with a strong, uncompromising message. This sermon is entitled "How to Witness and Preach Effectively":


Be patient, meek and self-controlled in teaching sinners. (2 Tim 2:23-26). We must not quarrel, but rather be gentle and mindful of the sinner's total blindness to the things of God. It is unreasonable to expect a sinner to do or know the things of God.

Teach what? The law of God first then the Gospel of peace. (Rom 2:18; Gal 3:24; Rom 7:7). The only thing that will awaken a sinner is the Law of God, so focus on exposing the law and sharing the Gospel thereafter.

Avoid foolish rabbit-trails and tangents. (Luke 13:1-5). Go directly to the conscience and circumnavigate the mind which is hostile to God (Rom 8:7)

Aim for repentance rather than a decision. (Luke 13:1-5). There is no salvation without repentance. Unless the sinner repents he will likewise perish. The spurious decision will inoculate a sinner against the true Gospel of peace and damn the sinner in hell.

Earn the right to witness. (John 4:3-39). First the natural then the spiritual. Use the RCCR principle to Relate to the sinner, Create an opportunity to discuss spiritual things, Convict the sinner through the Law and then Reveal the Gospel to him.

Let God give him assurance of salvation. (1 John 5:10). If the sinner prays to be saved God will be the one giving him assurance, not you, lest he looses it and goes back to you for it again and again.

Never fear hecklers. They are the best thing that happen in the open air setting. They are crown-gatherers when handled appropriately.

Be careful of your use of terminologies. (Heb 8:11). People have different understanding of the word "Christian" when asked if they are one. Ask them if they know the Lord instead.

Remember this is a spiritual battle. (Eph 6:12).

Pray for Godly discernment. Do not align yourself with anyone in the crowd, lets you testimony be hurt by their behavior.

Use the elements for amplification. (Mat 13:2). Use the buildings and streets around to amplify your voice. Preach with the wind and not against it as it will carry your voice farther. Jesus often preached from the lake as water can carry sound for miles. Learn to speak clearly and find your volume level.

Never preach wearing sunglasses. The eyes are the windows to your soul. Let sinners see your soul and heart when you speak.

Do not let anger in sinners concern you. (Acts 19:23). Anger is 1000 times better than apathy. Sinners use anger to hide their exposed sin, but it will later drive the sinner to repentance.

Be honest in your preaching and witnessing. (Acts 26:24). Let it come from your heart. We are talking about eternity. If you do not have tears in your eyes, let them hear the tears in your voice.

Read proverbs regularly. (Proverbs 15:1). They will teach you in life's direction. Pray God for wisdom revealed in his word.

Remember your calling. Remember what you were saved for. Do not get distracted by anything else but the call to seek and save that which is lost.

Use the word.

Use your testimony as much as you can. People relate to common things, and if you are like most people, your story will be a tool to relate to the sinner.

Preach "in the sight of God". Call Hell hell. Do not slip into the temptation to please men, but please God. (1 Thess 2:4; Gal 1:10)

Use springboards and anecdotes as much as you can. Use anecdotes, things than people can relate to then switch from the natural to the spiritual. Jesus filled his preaching with parables.

Give yourself a lift in the open air. People will be attracted to listen.