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March 18, 2024How does the information impact the way you will embrace evangelism in
your daily life moving forward?
The article “Incarnational Apologetics,” written by Dr. David Wheeler, shines a light on
Christianity’s often-missing correlation between beliefs and behavior and the necessary remedy.
Though the article is precise in its diagnosis, yet the glaring gap in the lives of Christians and the
doctrines of presumed Christian movements surrounding the individuals are not new. One
modern example would be the higher academia of dubbed “Christian institutions” that have an
undeniable historic Christian background (i.e., Cambridge, Oxford), yet when someone within
their typical ranks becomes a decided follower of Christ, as C.S. Lewis; the novelty and
exuberance of Lewis’s life just further underscore Wheeler’s lament of the gap between
incarnational and informational apologetics. For far too long, Christianity has been treated as
something to learn and not necessary to live, causing a vacuum in which any old bird or
character of persons has been allowed to perch on the branches of Christendom and degrade
(Matt. 13:32). Closer to home, the point of the article rings true as it is far easier to say what is
right and not live out what we know is right (1 Jon. 3:17-18). It seems that even early Christians
struggled with this duplicity, of being and yet not doing (Jam. 1:22; 2:26; 4:17). Though there is
always a tension between the flesh and the Spirit, proving to be the real struggle of even the truly
redeemed (Rom. 7:18-25), yet there has to be a desiring, a yearning that only God the Holy Spirit
ignites inside the person to live out the “truth of the Gospel” (Gal. 2:5).1 Only the truly saved
have this innate desire, even though they might not presently live up to its demands (1 Cor. 1:2,
3:1; 1 Jon. 2:1). The temptation to memorize and regurgitate facts, figures and clichés has
1 Paul and Barnabas argued for the “truth of the gospel” lest it be lost among the legalism of Judaism,
which meant a freedom in Christ to choose to live after the things of God.
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become the norm rather than the decisive test of living out the truth of the Gospel, especially in
adverse circumstances (1 Pet. 1:6-7). Perhaps the greatest need of today is not getting the
message of the Gospel out, though “proclamation” will always be needed, but rather a living out
or “affirmation” of the Gospel through the lives of those already saved.2 This article puts me on
notice that it is important to not only say what I believe but ensure that I am living out those
beliefs. It could be reasoned then that people only believe what truths they live out daily. This
reasoning would cause many to rethink what they say they actually hold to be the truth.
How will you balance "incarnational" and "informational" approaches to evangelism? Do
you believe there is a connection?
There is a great need in evangelism to merge both stances, the incarnational and the
informational approaches, into one consistent lifestyle. Looking back, this might be the
backwash of needlessly dividing one’s life into neat little sections, never to offend anyone.3 The
result is that none is offended, and no one is influenced either, yet here we are. This divide has
affected more than just evangelism; a similar gap between “incarnational” and “informational”
can be found when observing university teachers. Miller writes of bridging this apparent gap in
what He calls “faith integration” practices, producing an “incarnational scholarship.”4 For Miller,
the teacher above all else should be practicing what they preach, following the Spirit of
Bonhoeffer and the mandate of Scripture (Jam. 3:1).5 Alternatively, just as this gap needs to be
2 Dave Earley and David Wheeler. Everyday Evangelism: Sharing the Christian Faith. (Nashville, TN:
Broadman & Holman, 2010), 179.
3
D. Kim, D. McCalman, and D. Fisher. "The sacred/secular divide and the Christian worldview." Journal of
Business Ethics 109, no. 2 (2012): 203-208.
4
Kevin D. Miller, "Reframing the Faith-Learning Relationship: Bonhoeffer and an Incarnational Alternative
to the Integration Model." Christian Scholar's Review 43, no. 2 (2014): 131-138, here 133.
5
Ibid., 138.
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surely filled, there should be no need of abandoning the historicity of the Christian faith either,
but a re-purposing of it, for faith comes by hearing the word or claims of God (Rom. 10:17).
When arguing for the claims of the crucifixion to Muslims, Khouri writes that an “evidential
apologetics” is needed, where using the claims of Scripture in a “bottom-up” approach coupled
with a changed life best manifests the truth of the crucified Christ.6 In evangelism, our actions
must be no different; we must be willing to prove the claims of God (i.e., forgiveness, Grace,
family) through the interaction we have with the lost. Thus, the “prerequisite” of relationship,
says McRaney, adds credibility to our witness by taking the lead as God does toward the entire
world.7 However, in what form or in what manner did God reveal himself to the world? The form
of a “servant” is the answer from Scripture, where Christ went about doing good and then died
for sinners (Phil. 2:1-8; Acts 10:38; Rom. 5:8). Thus, in the same vein, according to Wheeler,
embracing “servanthood evangelism” then is the “simplest” and yet “biblical” approach to
reaching the lost world for Christ.8 To embody these virtues, I must find ways to serve others in
meaningful ways that open and present opportunities of showing the Gospel in action and not
only in words. The words of St. Francis bear repeating here, “Preach without ceasing. If you
must, use words.”9
6
Sherene Nicholas Khouri. "The Crucifixion in the Qur’an: Answering Muslim’s Claims regarding the
Death of Jesus Christ." Transformation (Exeter) 38, no. 2 (2021): 158-174, here 159, 170.
7
Will McRaney. The Art of Personal Evangelism: Sharing Jesus in a Changing Culture. (Nashville, TN:
Broadman & Holman, 2003), 135.
8
David Wheeler. Servanthood Evangelism Manual. (Wordsearch, 2018), 1.
9
Max Lucado. Life Lessons from the Inspired Word of God: Book of James. (Dallas, TX: Word Publishing,
1996), 7.
4
You might also consider . . . do your struggle relating to people on an "incarnational" level
when it comes to evangelism; or are you afraid of "informational" approaches to
evangelism, etc.?
I struggle the most in making what seems to be a relevant connection to those around me.
People know that I am different as a minister, so they have preconceived notions of who and how
I should act. How I am perceived becomes the greatest barrier sometimes because unless
someone is ready to decide for Christ, no one needs the pastor per se. So, for all apparent
purposes, I have become the emergency operator, only called upon when life is crashing down
on someone and everyone is at their wits ends. I guess the same can be said of Christ, for some
people only came to Christ out of sheer desperation when nothing else might have moved them
(Matt. 8). Only a few persons in the Church can separate the office from the person and enjoy a
real friendship.
In light of all of this, how do the “three V’s” (Vulnerable, Visual, Verbal), Servant
Evangelism (which is more incarnational), and Share Jesus Without Fear (which is more
informational) come into play as far as how you might approach evangelism in the future?
To recap, there has to be a merging of the incarnational and the informational before true
relationships can be forged, hoping to share the Gospel. Following through means either taking
the lead in conversations as Jesus did with the woman of Samaria (Jon. 4) or being willing to be
vulnerable enough to be taken advantage of; as Paul was recommending to the Corinthians (1
Cor. 6:7). Both virtues, forwardness, and vulnerability can be used as tools to help open the
hearts and minds of those closed off by indifference or ignorance. Evangelism, like scholarship,
must come back to its authentic roots, in how that “knowing” grows out of “being” in a personal
relationship with God before a relationship with others is possible.
6
Fay, William, and Linda Evans Shepherd. Share Jesus without Fear. Nashville, TN: Broadman
& Holman Publishers, 1999.
Khouri, Sherene Nicholas. "The Crucifixion in the Qur’an: Answering Muslim’s Claims
regarding the Death of Jesus Christ." Transformation (Exeter) 38, no. 2 (2021): 158-174.
Kim, D., D. McCalman, and D. Fisher. "The sacred/secular divide and the Christian worldview."
Journal of Business Ethics 109, no. 2 (2012): 203-208.
Lucado, Max. Life Lessons from the Inspired Word of God: Book of James. Dallas, TX: Word
Publishing, 1996.
McRaney, Will. The Art of Personal Evangelism: Sharing Jesus in a Changing Culture.
Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2003.
Miller, Kevin D. "Reframing the Faith-Learning Relationship: Bonhoeffer and an Incarnational
Alternative to the Integration Model." Christian Scholar's Review 43, no. 2 (2014): 131-
138.
Wheeler, David. Servanthood Evangelism Manual. Wordsearch, 2018.
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