Introduction
Evangelism, which comes from the Greek word euaggelizó or εὐαγγελίζω, meaning “to
announce good news.”1 As Christians, and more importantly disciples of Jesus Christ, we need to
be evangelizing the good news of the Gospel message. Found in Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV), in
what is most famously called the “Great Commission Mandate”, Jesus commands His followers
to go and teach the Gospel to every nation when He says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you
always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” In this paper, I will aim to share my personal
philosophy of evangelism, and why I believe it is important in today’s modern pluralistic society.
My Personal Philosophy of Evangelism
In today’s modern pluralistic society, personal evangelism needs to be handled with a sense of
awareness and respect for various beliefs and values. When thinking about what my personal
philosophy is, I would say that my personal philosophy of evangelism is biblically rooted and
connected to the incarnational method, which means that you live out the Gospel message
through your actions and relationships, instead of just by using words. John 1:14 (KJV) says,
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of
the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
When I think of today’s modern culture, being able to demonstrate the love, grace and truth of
Jesus can ultimately prove to be more impactful in evangelizing the Gospel to a lost and dying
world. As chaplains, it is crucial to be present and always available to those we serve, no matter
1 “G2097 - Euangelizō - Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV),” Blue Letter Bible, accessed June 15, 2024,
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2097/kjv/tr/0-1/.
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what the persons’ religious background may be. This also means that there needs to be a genuine
relationship and connection that is built on trust and respect. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians
9:22-23 (KJV) says, “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all
things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I
might be partaker thereof with you.” Paul knew that to evangelize the world for Christ, he had to
learn how to adapt while also being sensitive to the different cultural and religious contexts of his
day. James 1:19-20 (KJV) reads, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to
hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Author J. I. Packer quotes in his book, Evanglism and the Sovereignty of God, that “One
motive is to love our neighbor and desire to see our fellowmen saved.”2 When I think back to
when I received my “Call to the Chaplaincy”, it is humbling to think that Jesus would want to
use a sinful soul, such as myself, to evangelize the Gospel news. Sometimes when witnessing
and sharing the Gospel to others, we lose sight of why we are there. Jesus just wants us to plant
the seed, and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. The Holy Spirit is the one who transforms lives. As
chaplains, we are merely just vessels of Jesus Christ, who has been given the duty of following
the Great Commission Mandate of Matthew 28. In Acts 1:8 (KJV) it reads, “But ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, when thinking about my personal philosophy of evangelism in today’s modern
pluralistic society, I would have to say that it is centered around the incarnational approach,
making sure that I live out the Gospel message through my actions and relationships. I am very
sensitive to how I evangelize the Gospel. As someone who works in a prison ministry setting,
2 J. I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2012), 75.
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currently, I am needing to ensure that I maintain sensitivity in evangelizing the Gospel to the
prison inmates, while still ensuring that I am respecting their cultural background and beliefs.
Paul speaks boldly in Romans 1:16 (KJV), “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it
is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek.” I am humbled daily that Jesus has given me the “Call to Chaplaincy”, and my goal to
follow the Apostle Paul who says in Acts 20:24 (KJV), “But none of these things move me,
neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the
ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
Bibliography
Blue Letter Bible. “G2097 - Euangelizō - Strong’s Greek Lexicon (Kjv).” Accessed June 15,
2024. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2097/kjv/tr/0-1/.
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