Running head: SHARING THE GOSPEL 1
Sharing the Gospel Paper
Larry O’Neal
Liberty University
SHARING THE GOSPEL 2
Introduction
Sharing the Gospel is not only an important part of being a Christian, it is also a
command from Jesus Christ. In chapter 16, verse 15 or the Gospel according to Mark, Christ tells
His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. However, sharing the
Gospel with the world will present its challenges. In this paper we will discuss sharing the
Gospel with the Postmodern and the Eastern individual. We will first look at their worldview and
discuss some values that impact that individual. We will then address some ways to share the
Gospel with that individual, such as how to open the conversation, questions one can ask and a
certain method that can be used in sharing the Gospel with them. The Gospel is the same, but
people are not, and we must learn how share such wonderful news with them in a way that
connects to them.
Sharing the Gospel with a Postmodern Individual
The Postmodern individual holds a worldview that includes the idea that everyone can
believe what they want to believe. The question arises as to is there absolute truth and this leads
to the belief that it does not exist; answers to the question of life are always changing. The
Postmodern individual looks to individual experiences rather than to group experiences for
evidence of the truth (Rawson, 2015.p.83). So, as we see, some characteristics of the Postmodern
individual include, there is no absolute truth and facts are just too limiting to determine that truth.
These individuals also see that traditional authority is false and corrupt and that includes
Christian beliefs. Postmodern individuals are greatly impacted by innocence-guilt values and
fame-shame values. The Postmodern ranks innocence more highly than guilt, therefore,
motivating them to obey the law to avoid being found guilt or facing condemnation (Rawson,
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2015. p.93). They also rank fame more highly than shame, and this makes the person focus on
themselves. Fame-shame is the personal form of honor-shame, and the Postmodern person will
eagerly compete for acceptance or approval from the public without concern of shaming others;
they may deliberately shame others if they disagree with them (Rawson, 2015.p.95). Due to this
type of worldview and the values placed higher than others, there are a number of stages,
thresholds if you will, that the Postmodern individual had to go through on their way to
following Christ. Rawson mentions five stages: trusting a Christian, becoming curious about
Christ, opening up to change, seeking after God and entering the kingdom (Rawson,
2015.p.125). As a Christian, we are to show them that we are different from the negative view
they hold of Christians. We must build a friendship with them and realize that the burden is on us
to establish that trust (Shaupp, 1998). We can spark their curiosity by being real and living out
what we preach and by also asking good questions that will stimulate that curiosity. Once this
curiosity is opened up, it will lead to a genuine seeking after God, as it is written, if you seek the
Lord your God you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul
(Deuteronomy 4:29). As all these take place, and when the time is right, they will cross the line
and follow Christ.
A method I would use for the Postmodern individual would be The Romans Road to
Salvation. Earley and Wheeler state that it is a simple, yet, powerful way to explain the reason
we need salvation, how God provided that salvation, what we can do to receive it and what is the
result once we do (Earley & Wheeler, 2010.p264). This method is to the point and tells the
person that all have sinned and death is the wages, but how God showed His love by sending
Christ to die even when we were still sinners. Yes, it is simple, but so powerful and doesn’t
include a great list of vocabulary that would push someone away. I truly believe that it would
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grasp the Postmodern individual and spark interest and help them go through the five stages on
their way to Christ. I would connect with them where they are and ask questions that I felt would
guide the conversation in the direction of causing them to look at their life and spiritual matters.
Sharing the Gospel with an Eastern Individual
Eastern individuals see all relationships at the heart of reality and there are rules to live in
harmony within those relationships, however, nothing can be controlled completely (Rawson,
2015.p.82). Eastern individuals are also oriented in the past and that history affects them; they
see everything is changing and they realize they have no control over many things (Rawson,
2015). With this worldview, the characteristics of Eastern thought includes the thought that
relationships define reality, exclusive attachment to their group, they have no human control over
many things, they see things as a whole, their thinking is more concrete, they are oriented in the
past and their history is the foundation (Rawson, 2015.p.82). The Eastern individual is also
impacted by values, such as honor-shame values and power-weakness values. The Easterner
places honor more highly than shame and this motivates them to protect the honor of the group
or themselves and avoid bringing shame (Rawson, 2015.p.93). The secondary value is power-
weakness where they want power to obtain success or good luck, but the feel weak or they fear
government authorities, spirits or ancestors (Rawson, 2015).
In sharing the Gospel with the Eastern individual, I would open up by asking the
questions of their culture. I would attempt to gain a personal connection with them and find a
way that I could construct the message for it to grab their attention. I would give them my full
attention and listen to what they have to say. I would also share details of myself because as
Rawson writes, it is critical to show them how our faith has affected the way we approach life
struggles, and that they will be respond to our story even before they are interested in the full
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Gospel (Rawson, 2015.p.140). I believe the method I would use would be God’s Accounting
Book. I believe this method would be good because it will let them actually see the Gospel by
drawing out two pages and then explaining the Gospel as I tell them of the equation wrote on the
page (Earley & Wheeler, 2010.p.266). This method will not only give them something to see, but
it will also open the floor for them to ask questions. In turn to the questions, I could then ask
them questions to stimulate responses from them
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have discussed the worldviews of both the Postmodern and Eastern
individual, their thought and characteristics, the impact of values on them, and ways to share the
Gospel with the individual. Many methods are available, and a person may even have to
construct their method from a combination of methods to meet the needs of the person they are
sharing with. One thing is for certain, the Gospel does not change, but the way it is presented to a
certain group can change. Also, the Gospel is the same, but people are not, and due to this, we
must meet them where they are in order to be a good witness and bring them to Christ. We must
connect with them where they are and draw them in to gain their trust. As the Apostle Paul wrote,
“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” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
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References
Earley, D & Wheeler, D. (2010). Everyday evangelism: Sharing the Christian faith. pp. 264-266.
B&H Publishing Group. Nashville, TN.
Rawson, K.J. (2015). Crossing cultures with jesus: Sharing the good news with sensitivity and
grace. pp.82-83, 93,95, 125 & 140. InterVasity Press. Downers Grove, IL.
Schaupp, D. (1998). Five thresholds of postmodern conversion. Observations from IVCF
evangelism at UCLA. Retrieved from:
http://www.illinoisgcf.org/execplanning/resources/FiveThresholdsPaper.pdf
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