Evangelism Kirk Cameron Style

You've probably seen them on TV. Former child star Kirk Cameron and New Zealand-born Christian minister Ray Comfort hitting the streets to evangelize with a camera in tow. Their style is confrontational. Every session is basically the same. They approach a stranger and the conversation runs something like this.

“Do you consider yourself a good person?” Cameron or Ray asks.

“Um, yes.”

“Have you ever lied?

“Yes.

“Stolen?”

“Yes.”

“Lusted?”

“Yes.”

“So here’s what you’re telling me: you’re a lying, thieving, adulterer. How do you think God is going to judge you when you die? You’re headed to hell.”

As you can guess, things often turn ugly. The duo has been screamed at, spit on and threatened with violence. But they are unfazed. According to them, their ministry—which they call “The Way of the Master”—only mirrors what Jesus did.

I have two reactions. First, despite their claim to be imitating the “way of the Master,” their approach hardly resembles Christ’s. Yes, Jesus was confrontational and didn’t mince words when it came to truth. But Jesus’ methods were as varied as his audience. And he never resorted to formulas. Instead he moved from soul to soul, whetting spiritual appetites, baffling, probing, and at times, provoking. He was a master at speaking the language of spiritual longing. Just think of his exchange with the woman at the well. Kirk and Ray would do well to take a closer look at his example and follow suit.

My second reaction? I admire these guys like crazy. Sure, their methods might be a little clunky, even counterproductive at times. But I’m reluctant to dismiss the efforts of those who have done far more than I have for the sake of the gospel. I believe Kirk and Ray have a genuine passion to see people saved. I hope that they will consider refining their approach to become more effective in their mission. And I pray that God will bless me with even a fraction of their desire to reach the lost.

Rambo is no Missionary

The new Rambo movie hits theaters tomorrow. Judging from the trailers and early reviews, we can expect the same extreme violence and over-the-top heroics that characterize the rest of the epic series.

But this time there’s a twist. In John Rambo, Christian missionaries are at the heart of the story. After renouncing his violent past, a reluctant Rambo is persuaded to rescue a group of missionaries being held captive by the brutal Burmese army.

Sounds good, right? Finally Christians can cheer on a hero who fights for a noble cause.

Not so fast, says Glenn Penner of Voice of the Martyrs, a ministry that aides and advocates for persecuted Christians around the globe. Penner pans what he called “the most violent Rambo film yet,” in which the hero “shoots and stabs the missionaries to freedom.”

His main beef is not with the movie’s violence per se; he takes exception to the film’s underlying message.

“The call (should be) to take up the weapons of prayer and the pen, not the bullet and the Bowie knife.”

I wholeheartedly agree with Penn. Killing is always tragic. It is especially tragic when done in the name of Christ, the One who met violence with only silence and love. Any serious suggestion that we should take up arms to violently rescue persecuted Christians would be truly tragic indeed.

But there’s the rub. Rambo is hardly “serious.” I can’t see any guy with an IQ higher than his shoe size expecting a serious moral message from this mindless action flick. And besides, can you imagine how boring a Rambo movie would be where Stallone talked his way out of the jungle? So in the final analysis I’m inclined to give Rambo a break—just as long as it stays on the screen.

In Defense of Jamie Lynn Spears

I realize that the title of this post might be a little confusing. Why would the name Spears—Britney or otherwise—ever appear in a publication for men? This is New Man, after all, not Seventeen! But I make the unusual reference only to make a serious point.

On December 18, 2007 it was announced that 16 year-old Jamie Lynn Spears (sister of troubled pop sensation Britney Spears) was pregnant. The father was Jamie Lynn’s 18-year-old boyfriend.

Of course the news caused quite a media stir. It brought the issue of teen pregnancy into the public eye and many commentators decried the immoral and foolish behavior of the younger Spears sister, who herself was just emerging as an actor and singer.

There’s no doubt that Jamie Lynn’s behavior was unacceptable. She set a poor example for her peers and made a decision that would change the course of her life. But in all the excitement surrounding the scandalous news, something commendable was overlooked.

Jamie Lynn decided to keep her baby.

To most, her pregnancy would be a prime candidate for abortion. She had a public image to protect. A burgeoning career to defend. Not to mention youthful freedom to lose. She could have quietly arranged for an abortion and continued on with her privileged life. No one would have known. But instead she owned up to her actions and protected the life of her unborn child. I pray that other young women who make the same mistake will exhibit the same courage.

"The Dangerous Path Leading to Infidelity"

Last week I read a comment on the New Man Web site that made my heart sink. It was a letter from a woman requesting more articles about the “dangerous path leading to infidelity.” The reason for her request? Her husband seemed to be treading on dangerous ground.

First, the woman wrote of what had been, until recently, been a wonderful marriage. The couple enjoyed regular lunches together and had a healthy love life.

But then something changed. Her husband began opting out of their lunches, and choosing instead to spend time with his beautiful 19-year-old secretary. When the wife asked him to have lunch with her again he turned “ugly.”

“I'm praying,” she wrote, “hoping he'll be too satisfied with my words and actions to go elsewhere. But I'm scared.”

Hopefully this woman’s suspicions about her husband are not founded. Unfortunately they quite likely are. If her husband hasn’t already cheated, he’s probably well on his way. I told her that her plan of just being kind to him wasn’t enough. She needs show him some tough love by confronting him about his behavior.

But I would reserve my strongest words for him and other men headed toward marital unfaithfulness. The first step on the road to adultery is the easiest. Most guys don’t wake up one day and decide to commit adultery. It usually starts small. You now what kind of stuff I’m talking about it. Flirting with a female co-worker. Looking too long at an attractive woman. Spending too much time alone with a member of the opposite sex.

If that’s you I urge you to stop immediately. The path to infidelity is downhill and slippery. Before you know it, you’re sitting at the bottom with your life in ruins. Today you have the choice to stop. Tomorrow your options may be much different.

Which Christian man do you most admire?

First Issue of New Man e-Magazine!

Welcome to the premier issue of the New Man e-Magazine! As you probably noticed, New Man has undergone several major changes in recent months. We’ve transitioned from print to online and we’re now replacing both the weekly New Man Report and our print magazine with the e-Magazine.

Is that confusing? Let me explain. The e-Magazine will combine the stories, columns and reviews familiar to readers of New Man’s print version with the blog, polls, timely commentary and ease of access of New Man’s online presence.

This is completely new to the industry. We’re going to deliver the closet thing to a print magazine directly to your inbox each week—at no cost.

But it isn’t a one-way street. We want to make every article a conversation, so we’re inviting you to share your thoughts by leaving comments. And we need your help with articles. If you have a story or teaching that has been burning in your heart, share it with us. It just might appear in a future e-Magazine issue.

Enjoy this first issue and send it along to a friend. We’re looking forward to broadening our scope with this new format and we’re excited about the journey ahead!

To sign up for the e-Magazine click here.