Two Ways to Live
February 16th, 2007
(By Jesse Johnson)
* Jesse serves as the local outreach pastor at Grace Community Church.
It is not a secret that most tracts and Gospel presentations are either silly or seriously flawed, if not both. However, many conservative and reformed churches that have traditionally avoided these materials altogether are starting to see a new program gaining popularity with their more evangelistic people.
Two ways to Live is a Gospel presentation produced by Matthias Media in Australia. Its website describes the program as, “simply a memorable summary of the Christian Gospel. In six simple points it conveys the key information that the average non-Christian person needs to understand in order to become a Christian.”
Most will encounter Two Ways to Live through their 15-page tract subtitled, “The choice we all face.” But the program also comes in a 1-hour Bible study, a kid’s format, and in resources designed to be given away. The material is well done, avoids theological gaffes common to these types of programs, and is endorsed by D. A. Carson. Mathias Media is from Australia, and for that reason their material has a welcome non-American feel to it.
The presentation focuses on the kingship of God, and on our intended role as rulers over the earth. While God designed us to have dominion over the earth and under Him, we have decided to serve ourselves and rule the world ourselves. This has resulted in “the mess” on earth right now.
Jesus came, served the King perfectly, and then died for our sins. Jesus’ resurrection enables us to return to serving the King, God. While the material does not mention the deity of Christ (or of the Holy Spirit), it does highlight the sinless nature of Christ, the imputation of sins, and the resurrection. It presents the gospel as God bringing rebels into the service of the good King.
The website is correct: it is a memorable presentation. While the diagrams may be a bit convoluted (each of the six steps has a unique diagram that contains a crown, an androgynous avant-garde stick figure, and a circle), they do not detract from the presentation.
As tracts go, this one is pretty good. It flows logically from one point to the next, so a believer should not have a problem walking through the whole booklet with someone who knows nothing about the gospel.
However, as a theological system, it does focus too much on a limited aspect of the story-line of the Bible. I assume that it focuses on dominion and kingship because that allows a simple and straightforward Gospel presentation. However this limited focus waters down the gravity of sin and the glory of salvation.
In light of dominion, Two Ways to Live presents sin as the attempt to rule the earth without serving God. But while this is true, it is missing some key points. Lying, lusting, stealing, and just good-old-fashioned moralism (self-righteousness) are not presented as sin. Likewise, salvation is not presented as an opportunity to glorify God and have peace with him, but as gaining the ability to rule and live with Jesus.
There are familiar tract-like qualities to this presentation. Six points (instead of laws or steps), odd diagrams, and the sinner’s prayer are all here. But, this is better than most tracts. It is theologically accurate (even if not complete), and it is straight-forward about why some people won’t believe. It deals with unbelief, and even explains why some people will refuse to believe what they read in the tract.
One of the strengths of this program is the online resources that are available. The tract has the web address in it, and the website is very helpful and goes more in-depth on some issues.
As a pastor who is considering offering this material in our bookstore, I am mindful that there is too much of a focus on kingship/dominion to the detriment of the presentation of sin and glory. But this is not a flaw that undermines its ability to be used in evangelism. It is better than most short gospel presentations that are available, and will probably continue to be the tract of choice for most evangelistic and reformed Christians.
Thanks for the helpful review!
Jesse,
What are your thoughts on Ray Comfort’s ministry and the trcts he produces, i.e. the Way of the Master and walking through the law approach?
Thanks,
Jeff Mobley
Here are some gospel tracts that received passing grades from me.
God’s Bridge to Eternal Life
http://www.majestic-media.com
This tract was developed by the faculty of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, a school that is fundamentalist, dispensationalist, and calvinistic. The tract utilizes the popular bridge analogy. It is available in the KJV and the NASB.
Quest for Joy
http://www.gnpcb.org/product/663575730613
This tract was written by John Piper. It contains his familiar theme of finding joy in God. The Scripture is from the ESV.
How to Become a Christian
http://www.gnpcb.org/product/663575727132
The writer of this tract is unknown. It is concise but surprisingly thorough, including lots of Scripture from the ESV.
These tracts (at least the text) can be viewed at the websites that I listed. I would be very interested in hearing what others (especially Jesse) think of these tracts.
Jeff,
Ray Comfort’s tracts are similiar. They are helpful, and very narrowly focused; in the case of The Way of the Master, on using the Law to condem sinners. Perhaps next month I can put up a more full review of The Way of the Master. For now, we do use his tracts, mostly because they are work very well at starting gospel conversations.
I have found the best approach to be through the law and wrath as intro to the gospel. The first thing I do is ask what they think will happen after they die. “If you were to wake tomorrow, go to work, and died..oh say…about 10 o’clock in the morning, do you know what will happen to you?”
If there is any hint of interest in talking about spiritual things, their eyes will lock into yours. Then I just let the conversation blossom from there.
I believe in a really organized, practiced approach to give you confidence at first, but as soon as you can get rid of it. Instead, spend a lot of time in Scripture and memory work. Rely on the Spirit’s guidance–He loves the folks more than you do–and be flexible.
I believe this is the technique of Christ, the prophets, and the apostles. Read the NT. Jesus went one way with one individual and another way with another, depending on their needs. Consider the rich young ruler and Nicodemus. The messages were definitely different for the different individuals. If I am evangelizing an Evangelical church goer that is not saved, it is law, law, law, law–because the Evangelical church is just sopped up with easy religion. If I am speaking with a Catholic who is old school, believing in the saving works of the sacraments, I preach grace, grace, grace. It all depends.
One thing was constant in all the evangelistic encounters in the Bible, it started with making sure the patient new the diagnosis was law and wrath. “The law of Yahweh is perfect, converting the soul.” If the sinner knows nothing of sin and wrath, he will not reach for grace.
Different folks are at different understandings of God’s wrath upon them and that seems to be the big variable.
In Christ,
Phil Perkins.
Speaking of biblical example pertaining to evangelism, what do all you Bible scholars think we should do about new converts and evangelism? It seems as though Jesus sent out His disciple witnessing just about as soon as they knew Him. Remember the woman at the well? (She should be an encouragement for those of you who think you don’t know enough to witness.)
If a man is really saved, he will publicly declare for the Savior. Early witnessing makes for strong disciples and scares off false conversions–that’s my story anyway.
Oh–and here’s a definite tip–listen to them. They will tell you where they stand and what you need to help them with. It’s like fill-in-the-blanks. Some have all blanks. Some have the law and wrath down, but you need to fill in a lot of grace blanks. Some have a blank for Who God is. And so forth. So listen.
Phil Perkins.
One thing was constant in all the evangelistic encounters in the Bible, it started with making sure the patient new the diagnosis was law and wrath. “The law of Yahweh is perfect, converting the soul.” If the sinner knows nothing of sin and wrath, he will not reach for grace.
Amen Phil…AMEN!
Eddie
I would agree with those who have said that one cannot understand their grave position before a holy and righteous God without first understanding that God is holy and righteous.
It begins with God. Understanding Who God is.
Then understanding who/where sinful man is in relation.
Then understanding what we rightly deserve for our sins.
Then – and only then – does the rest of the gospel of Jesus Christ – his life, death, resurrection, and ascension/coming return truly have meaning.
The Holy Spirit convicts one of their sin when they hear about how holy God is and how unholy they are.
If all the person hears is love and joy, they aren’t hearing the true gospel, and thus it’s likely they aren’t getting saved.
SCripture is quite clear that unregenerate man is locked up under the Law and the consequences is death.
Romans 3:19, 20 tells us the whole world is under law, and this is what stops up every mouth, so the whole world is held accountable.
Gal: 3:24: The law is our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ.
We have created countles false converts by not using the law lawfully, for this Jesus also condemned the Pharisee. Twice the son of Hell.
By the Law is the knowledge of sin(Rom. 7)
Jesus and Paul always preached Law to the proud and grace to the humble. With the Law He breaks the proud heart, with the Gospel He heals it.
I highly recommend Ray Comfort’s “What Did Jesus Do”.
There is another element in evangelism that I failed to mention. It is a part of evangelism that one does not need always to consciously inject, but it’s always there, though often sublty.
That element is bragging about God–singing His praises. When it is not overtly mentioned, it is still a part of the gospel. For instance, the third element of the gospel according to I Corinthians 15 is the resurrection. Now that is quite an accomplishment. And God did it.
Hear what David said was one way for one generation to evangelize the next in Psalm 145:
1I will extol You, my God, O King,
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
2Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
3Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised,
And His greatness is unsearchable.
4One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.
5On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
6Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness.
7They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.
8The LORD is gracious and merciful;
Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.
9The LORD is good to all,
And His mercies are over all His works.
10All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD,
And Your godly ones shall bless You.
11They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
And talk of Your power;
12To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts
And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.
In Christ,
Phil Perkins. PS–Hi, Eddy.
Why not write your own. If you did so, then it would contain all the doctrines needed and all the different types of material you would need for evangelism. Why rely on someone else’s work that isn’t as complete as you would like it?
[...] Original post by Pulpit Magazine [...]
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the “Who do you think that I am?” tract that GTY produced.
http://www.gty.org/resources.php?section=articles&aid=231246
Chris
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Evangelism Explosion (EE) Ministry. They seem to have a very practical and Biblical approach that can be easily adapted to any witnessing situation.
John
EE tends to be pushy and manipulative. We had a group of folks come to our church outreach from another state to help in evangelism and they were trained in EE. It seemed too canned and forceful to get a decision out of people. Grace’s Evangelism curriculum is good, with Scripture memory. I wonder if anyone has written a tract that follows the Roman’s pattern, ie. God’s Righteousness, wrath against all the ungodly, no flesh will be justified by the Law, grace, sanctification, glorification, election, transformation, love, etc.?? That seems to be Paul’s gospel presentation to a relatively unknown audience.
I have been reading Kel Richards’ Defending the Gospel. I’ve found the first chapter just brilliant. In this chapter he refers to and uses Phillip Jensen’s gospel outline, 2 Ways to Live. I note at the end of this outline, point 6,
B. God’s new way:
Submit to Jesus as our ruler.
Rely on Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Result:
Forgiven by God
Given eternal life
Then quote John 3:36.
Here’s my question! I fully agree with all this – as far as it goes. But my difficulty is that the guide doesn’t tell the reader exactly how to “submit to Jesus as …ruler,” and exactly how we “rely on Jesus’ death and resurrection” unto forgiveness and eternal life!
The Scriptures are crystal clear that we both submit to Jesus as ruler and rely upon his death and resurrection when we are baptized into Christ!! A host of Scriptures make this clear. Acts 2:36-41; 22:16; Romans 6:3-7,16-18,23; Colossians 2:4-15; 1 Peter 3:13-22.
After a superb contextual study of 1 Peter to explain the point of 3:15, Kel Richards – in referring the reader to 2 ways to live – then overlooks 1 Peter 3:13-22 where baptism is found!
David Carr, Metford.
We use a lot of Ultimate Questions, by John Blanchard. It is available in more than 30 languages and is published by Evangelical Press. Your thoughts on this.
David,
That is a great point, and really gets to the issue of using any one pre-packaged Gospel presentation. The shorter, and more clear and cohesive a presentation is, the more it leaves out. As for Two Ways to Live, it does give these ways to “Submit to Jesus”:
1 Get rid of old rebelious habits (greed, anger, selfishness, and so on).
2. Start new habits (generosity, kindness, love and paitence).
It then mentions devotional reading and fellowhip, as well as the neceisty to “keep trusting.”
What I really like about Two Ways to Live, and perhaps what makes it better than most other material, is that it mentions this at all. It also makes it clear that this will be a process that lasts the rest of your life. So, could it go on more and more? Yes. But it also does not just close with the sinner’s prayer. At some point the person is going to have to get into a church. And this tract does challenge them to do just that.
Thanks,
Jesse
JC,
Ultimate Questions is a great booklet. I am looking at a stack of them in my office right now, and we have them in at least 5 languages.
It is more of a booklet than a tract. It is probably not the best thing to use in evanglism with strnagers (“hi, would you like to read this book?”). But it is very effective when someone comes to my office with questions. Imagine someone comming with serious, soul-searching questions, and sending them out with a tract! So, I have found that books like Ultimate Questions and For Your Joy (by John Piper) are an essential part of the office arsenal.
Thanks,
Jesse