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Darthmiller · Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 27

Has anyone out there read this fantastic book, The Isaiah Vision: An Ecumenical Strategy for Congregational Evangelism? If not get hold of a copy......why are you still sat there? Go on. Get one.

What's it about?

Ah well I suppose I should say.

The Isaiah Vision is the most powerful book on evangelism I have ever read. And, it's a different kind of evangelism, but one we need. Raymond Fung wrote The Isaiah Vision based on Isaiah 65:17-25.

Here's the heart of Fung's book:

1. Children do not die.
2. The elderly live out their lives in dignity.
3. Those who build houses live in them.
4. Those who plant vineyards eat the fruit.

If this is part of God's plan to "create new heavens and a new earth" then I guess this is about a good as the "good news" gets. This is God's promise, not ours, all we need to do is cooperate with it.

The question becomes, how do we invite others into the blessing of the good news of God? I think Fung has an answer.

1. Do something so that children do not die.
2. Do something so the elderly live out their lives in dignity.
3. Do something so that those who build houses get to live in them.
4. Do something so that those who plant get to eat the fruit of their labor.

Fung's brief book contains a great story about how young women who work in the factories of Hong Kong studied the Bible and influenced labor legislation in that city. But I think for me, Fung raises the bar on evangelism from personal only (which is what most of us evangelicals are used to) to societal. The gospel transforms not only individuals, but cultures as well. We all might want to think God's thoughts about how we can cooperate with God's plan.

In working with the community around a church we become part of that community. We can then invite them to worship with us as we do what we need to do to find the strength to do the work we do, explaining that we want to pray for and with the community we are working in, then as time goes on we invite them to become disciples of Jesus to become ordinary people doing extraordinary things for God, to turn their lives around and away from sin. Not pressuring them into doing so nor leaving them to decide to do it alone. We should let them know that Jesus wants them as a disciple, it is why they have got to the point they are at. It is not something they MUST do to remain, but something that God wants of them.

(much of this review was unashamedly nicked from http://amicusdei.typepad.com/amicus_dei/2007/02/the_isaiah_visi.html)
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Going to church no more makes you a Christian than standing in a garage makes you a car.

paulvipond · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Bury

Sounds interesting and reflects a recovery of the church of God's "big plan". Of course to some conservatives this will look like the "social gospel" of the mid 20thC. As you say we need to recover the understanding that the gospel is not just "you can have your sins forgiven and go to heaven when you die" but "Jesus is Lord of All and He will make all things new". Some sin is not just personal but societal.

Have a look at the Nooma entitled "Bullhorn" I think you will find some resonances.
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Make you walk in the dust of your rabbi, Jesus

Darthmiller · Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 27

It also links with the concept of Missio Dei as outlined by David Bosch in his excellent book Transforming Mission: Paradigm shifts in theology of mission. This states that we are not "God's Church with a mission" instead we are a "Church whose God has a mission"
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Going to church no more makes you a Christian than standing in a garage makes you a car.

Eli · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:22 am Post subject:

Or....

you could just talk to people about Jesus, making them aware of their wretched state before the judgement seat of the Almighty and telling them of the Saviour that can be theirs through repentance and trust.

It works! It's cheap and...

it has the approval of the Master!
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I am not ashamed of...
The Gospel of Jesus Christ

paulvipond · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Bury

paulvipond · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Bury

Eli · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 1:25 pm Post subject:

Ahem.... no....

"Why lose out on Luke's recording of the apostles calling Jesus, Master. Why not refuse to relinquish a perfectly good biblical word to the tree huggers? After all we had it first!"

Mr. Green

What's with the "dust of the Rabbi?"

Speaking personally, I'm washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. Wink

_________________
I am not ashamed of...
The Gospel of Jesus Christ

paulvipond · Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Bury

DavidH · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 18

Eli · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 3:05 pm Post subject: