In Part 1 of this interview Sam spoke about how Australians today form beliefs based on intuition, emotions and community groups. He believes it is a good time for exploring new methods of evangelism. We continue our interview with questions about conversion in today’s society.
It has been said that it takes a far longer time to bring someone to faith now than it did 50 years ago? Is that true or does instantaneous conversion still happen?
I still meet many people who say they became a Christian at an evangelistic talk. But I think that this was the final step in a long journey.
I think it takes a longer time simply because Australia is now essentially post-Christian and post-reached. It takes a longer time for plausibility structures to change. It takes a longer time for paradigms to shift. Of course, when someone does become a Christian, it often happens instantly. But there has been a long journey prior to this. And often the person experiences their own conversion as a fuzzy, gradual change, rather than instant flick of a switch.
A good analogy is how Westerners and Asians approach romantic relationships differently. Westerners with their binary, all-or-nothing logic, often need a DTR – ‘define the relationship’ – talk. What is the status of our relationship? But Asians often drift into a romantic relationship. There is no DTR. And maybe that’s what it’s like now in our post-modern world. People experience their conversion more as a gradual drift into a relationship with God.
What excites you most for evangelism?
There is so much that excites me. God is glorified by our evangelism. We are telling good news. Our friends might become saved by God. But another thing that excites me is that if evangelism is about both being and doing – our evangelism results in us being salt and light to this world. We bring God’s love, mercy and justice to our world. Even if we don’t see our friends become saved, just the fact that we lived and spoke the gospel makes a difference to our world in other ways.
What are the characteristics of some of the most effective evangelism you see happening in Australia today?
The definition of ‘evangelism’is telling someone the gospel o f Jesus – in its variety of metaphors, formats and methods – and praying that God in his mercy will save. But the characteristics of effective evangelism are also becoming a trusted friend. Taking an interest in the other person’s life. Spending time. Earning the right to speak by being a good listener. Making the effort to hear, understand and empathise with the other person’s story.
Can you tell us an encouraging story of someone who has recently come to know God and what happened?
I recently spoke at a church on the topic of science and Christianity. I explained how science and faith were perfectly compatible, and that science did not disprove the Christian faith. Afterwards, a man in his 60s told me that he was a scientist. He had walked away from the Christian faith in his 30s because he thought science disproved Christianity. But now he realised he could be both a scientist and a Christian. As a result, he returned to his Christian faith.
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