Book Review

Recently had to review this book for one of my assignments. Thought I'd share it 'cos I found it really helpful in thinking about sharing our faith with others. This review doesn't do justice to the book, so I'd recommend that you get hold of a copy and read it for yourself :)

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Dickson, J., Promoting the Gospel (Blue Bottle Books, 2005)

Dickson gives a refreshing insight into what biblical mission entails. Contrary to popular evangelical belief and emphasis (mine included), the means for promoting Christ is not confined to verbal proclamation of the gospel, but also includes prayer, financial giving, godly behaviour, the public praise of God and answering people’s questions.

He begins by presenting a case for promoting the gospel and then examines the challenge of pluralism and the inevitable call for Christians to follow Christ in mission. As he states, “our entire life, including our social life, should demonstrate the Lord’s desire to have fellowship with sinners” (p41). He then proceeds to address the various means in which the gospel can be advanced and people drawn to Christ.

The strength (and thesis) of this book is that it draws attention to aspects of missions in the Bible that have often been neglected or sidelined. Dickson rightly points out that we have often tried to fit people into the role of an “evangelist” while neglecting the other means in which the gospel is advanced. Nevertheless, a chapter is devoted in exploring the actual role of the evangelist.

In particular, I found the chapter on giving “an apt reply” an eye-opener. Dickson contends that while learning to present a gospel outline is helpful and necessary, more often than not our opportunities for sharing our faith come in our day-to-day conversations with people. The power of an appropriate reply or comment should not be undermined and he calls for an emphasis in conversational explanations of the Faith in training for evangelism. Moreover, he points out that the apostle Paul himself makes a comparison between his apostolic speaking of the gospel to the everyday speech of believers in general in Colossians 4:3-6. A review of the Greek used in those verses show

…a thematic parallel between Paul’s obligation to proclaim the gospel word and the congregation’s duty to answer in their everyday word. In effect, what bold proclamation is to evangelists, gracious answers are to believers in general. Both activities have profound missionary significance. (p152)

Another not commonly regarded aspect is the role that the public praise of God can take in advancing the gospel. Surprisingly, this notion is a well-established theme in the Old Testament and inherent in the theology and practice of the Jewish people. The communal praise of God in the synagogue or temple was one of God’s ways of drawing the Gentiles to worship him. This idea is also taken up in the New Testament by the apostle Peter.

In addressing our contemporary context, Dickson maintains that “the number of visitors in our services is directly proportionate to the level of enthusiasm felt by those who regularly attend” (p138). This brings us to consider how our regular corporate worship times in church can be enhanced firstly for the regular worshippers, and consequently for visitors. It also challenges the commonly held view that evangelistic church services are the main means for drawing unbelievers to Christ. On the contrary, he asserts that normal church services conducted exceptionally well will not only inspire the regulars, but also draw in visitors and promote the gospel to them. While Dickson does not go into lengths of what such a service should look like, he gives us a few clues from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians – that it should be an intelligible declaration of God’s wonders for the benefit of God’s people.

In his chapter “being beautiful”, he points out the fact that people can be won to faith “without a word” through godly behaviour. He provides solid biblical support for “the gospel being a necessary and sufficient cause of faith without always being the primary cause of faith” (p99). This not only stresses the impact that good deeds can have on unbelievers towards the gospel, but also brings assurance to those in positions where it is inappropriate or impossible to speak of the gospel.

To the question, “So where does actual gospel proclamation fit in?”, Dickson remarks:

...speaking about the Faith is the icing on the cake of mission. It may not be where the bulk of our day-to-day mission activity lies but frequently it is the most obvious part of the mission and, once tasted, will often be the sweetest. (p109)

Overall, this book represents a holistic treatment on the issue of Christian mission. It challenges the church not only to view it one-dimensionally, but to consider the manifold aspects involved in it and to encourage all believers to be a part of it.