Show and Prove: Works Without Words

I just read an interesting article on the Relevant magazine Web site, on "Silent Evangelism." (Shout-out to D-Turn for getting me hooked on Relevant!) The author riffed on a quote she read from Dieter Zander, which basically said that the works of the church are behind the words we use to try to reach others.

One particularly compelling passage from the article appears below:

"In the West (meaning the U.S. and Europe), the problem isn't that the Gospel hasn't been communicated—it’s that the Gospel hasn't been lived. As Christians, we have a lot to account for in our past: racism, religious wars, discrimination—all in the name of God. We tell people they need God but we don't necessarily feel a need to be Christ to them. I’m talking about a lack of incarnational witness. It is much easier to talk about being a Christian than it is to live like one. I firmly believe that this generation needs to see Jesus and not just hear about Him. They need to see us caring for the poor, treating others as more important and pursing spiritual life over material wealth. They need to witness our concern for injustice, racism and the shoddy way we have of taking care of God's creation."

I agree with this article. I am a Gen Xer, and I also have been part of the hip-hop culture since the late 80's. I know many people who don't follow Christianity--or any religion--think there is much hypocrisy in our religion. Case in point: Many people of my age group probably remember the downfall of several televangelists in our formative years. These people may have been projected directly into our homes via the TV set, to speak on the merits of Christianity, only to have their images (and that of the religion overall) tarnished by their criminal and/or immoral actions. I could definitely see how a non-believer or a sometimes-believer would be more readily drawn to Christ by someone who is a Big Brother or Big Sister, or cooks in a soup kitchen, or pays for groceries for a friend who has been laid off, or any kind of regular activity that shows the love and grace that Christ asked us to show to others. It can be hard to give of ourselves in this way, but I believe that in the current climate of the world, our actions will open the doors that will enable us to begin dialogue on the Word.