Nov 10, 2008
Peter Rollins on Anti-Evangelism
This should get some folks riled up…
Over the weekend I listened to Peter Rollins speak at the Emergent Mid-Atlantic conference. While he covered more philosophical ground than any human being should be able to cover in one day, I left thinking hard about his concept of anti-evangelism. That’s right, he practices anti-evangelism. I’m sure I won’t do his points justice, he spoke way to fast to catch everything he said, but I’d like to discuss what I’m pretty sure I heard.
Think about the times you’ve suffered loss or experienced despair. Was that a good time to make a life-changing decision? Would you want to decide on getting married or moving?
Most likely, the answer would be no.
Even in relationships we face the caution to avoid dating someone on the rebound after breaking up.
And that brings us to anti-evangelism, or at least my take on what Rollins had to say… Rollins asserts that potential followers of Jesus must count the cost and enter into relationship with God fully cognizant of all that is involved. Much like dating, courtship, engagement, and marriage take time, Rollins does not want to rush potential disciples into this commitment to God.
Rather, he proposes coming alongside those who are hurting and those who are seeking God. He prefers to do away with distinctions of who’s in and who’s out. It’s not a matter of an insider bringing an outside in, but rather people learning to move in the same direction. Christians are on course, but in reality we have a true kinship with those not following Jesus. We need the same relationship with God.
I’d say that Rollins sees Christians coming alongside seekers (or whatever you want to call them) and helping them ask the hard questions, while working with them on the answers. The line he draws is pushing seekers toward a decision, especially when they’re in a rough patch. He didn’t invalidate conversions that come from such circumstances, but when painting his ideal situation, Rollins presents this vision for anti-evangelism.
I hope I did his views justice!
I didn’t hear Rollins give the talk, but if you have represented his case well, I agree. I do youth ministry in an evangelism-minded church. We explain the gospel and invite people to respond often. I also tell them that being a part of the Kingdom will take your whole life, and share Christ’s warning that it will a daily sacrifice. It is a much fuller, deeper, true life–but it has at times cost me more than I thought I had.
Worth it.
That seems to be what’s at stake here. good summary.