The question running through my head this morning is “Why is evangelism so disdained in postmodernity?”
Simply, it is self-evident that too many people follow gospels of their own making, which are no gospel at all (Galatians 1:6–10). Throughout biblical/church history, many ambassadors of God have shared the Good News from God, which is different from the other vacuous man-made politicized centers of religiosity available in Jesus's time and until today. Yet, although currently many lukewarm assemblies market tremulous paths of faith, their “customers” perceive them to be merely grifts (shams) of self-determinism, whose “evangelists” push programs and profits, but little peace and pomades for the soul. Instead of the transcendent Gospel of Jesus Christ, people are offered a Gnostic (secret) gospel of self-empowerment, prosperity, physical fitness, emotional placebo, and so on. Though they strive to encounter God, instead they too often find a church of humanity—ostensibly, a bureaucracy or social club, which is why they think, “Well, if that’s the case, I’ll just shop around or make my own.”
While that might help them feel comfortable for a while, it brings them no closer to God and they still thirst for everlasting divine waters. To fight off the emptiness of the void, they gather around with other like-minded frustrated seekers for consolation and acceptance. Manifestly, their gospel is 1/2 of the Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:28–34; Matt 22:34–40; Luke 10:25–28). While they may be loving their neighbor as themselves, they refuse to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Ultimately, they stop short and suffer for it. As Isaiah and Jesus noted, they
"Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving" (Isaiah 6:9 & Mark 4:12).
Thus, when an authentic Evangelist comes around to share with them the true Good News of GOD (as defined in the Bible), it scares/angers people because it makes them aware of their own empty spiritual state and the foolishness of their chosen path or community. In fear or despair, they lash out and vilify the Messenger (or worse), digging an even deeper chasm between them and their salvation. It is a tragedy of their own design and making, sadly. Fortunately, no expanse is too far for God to traverse, nor any sin too wicked to be forgiven. Salvation can be found, but only through the Person—and Grace—of God.
King David said it well in Psalm 103 (TLB):
I bless the holy name of God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins. He heals me. He ransoms me from hell. He surrounds me with loving-kindness and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things! My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! He gives justice to all who are treated unfairly. He revealed his will and nature to Moses and the people of Israel.
He is merciful and tender toward those who don’t deserve it; he is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love. He never bears a grudge, nor remains angry forever. He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sins, for his mercy toward those who fear and honor him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. He is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who reverence him. For he knows we are but dust and that our days are few and brief, like grass, like flowers, blown by the wind and gone forever.
But the loving-kindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting to those who reverence him; his salvation is to children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant and remember to obey him!
The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything there is. Bless the Lord, you mighty angels of his who carry out his orders, listening for each of his commands. Yes, bless the Lord, you armies of his angels who serve him constantly. Let everything everywhere bless the Lord. And how I bless him too!
Note that David is speaking about a Who and not a “What.” In his Psalm, David introduces the reader to the Being of God—not just the social schedule or activities for the Assembly. David is not acting as an agent for a church or movement, but rather as an ambassador—an evangelist—for the loving divine Entity in his life. David wants others to personally experience the wondrous relationship that he has with our wonderful God.
The Good News of David is that God is—THE—God of action, of doing, of being, of life itself. No community of humanity (or watered-down, polluted evangelism) can compete with the benefits of God. Ponder this: Those who are lost, God is able to find. Those who are hurting, God is willing to mend. Those who all alone, God is open to embrace. Nothing and no one is beyond His rescue. God pardons, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies, renews, performs, judges, and makes known. In Him is found kindness, grace, mercy, timeliness, charity, reward, reliability, efficacy, understanding, and everlasting compassion, compassion, compassion.
In postmodernity, more than ever, people need more than a spiritual placebo—they need the Person of God and passionate people to proclaim His Power over darkness.