No More Old Dry Bones
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (ANS) -- Christian author and publisher
Mike Shreve is concerned about the approach used by many
believers when they tell committed followers of
non-Christian religions about Jesus Christ
who is God.
In a recent article, he illustrated his point. He said, "If
you see a dog gnawing on an old meatless bone, don't try to
pull it out of his mouth. He will fight you for it (well, he
might). Instead, plop down a juicy steak. Any intelligent
dog will automatically leave the dry bone behind, and sink
its teeth into the far more scrumptious meal provided."
Shreve said soon after he became a Christian, he learned the
truth of this principle as it relates to soul winning.
"Followers of non-Christian religions are starving
spiritually, emaciated, often desperate for truth, gnawing
on spiritual 'bones' that have never given them proper
sustenance," Shreve said. "But if our primary approach is
criticism of their belief system - jerking the bone out of
their mouths - they will be more prone to a ... defensive
posture, fighting to keep control of the 'bone.'"
Shreve said that a hard-hitting presentation of the gospel
many times brings this sort of response. While it may have
its place, Shreve said, there is an alternative.
He said, "I am convinced that a more loving and gentle
approach will bring much better results in this post-modern
world. In no way am I suggesting that we compromise the
gospel, but rather, make the meal more appealing."
In 1970, Shreve was a teacher of yoga and meditation at four
universities and running a yoga ashram. He was steeped in
New Age and Far Eastern mystical thought. A former student
of yoga who had found the Lord presented the gospel to him.
He understood the need to make the gospel appealing.
Shreve said that during his initial conversation with this
individual, Shreve made statements like, "'I can't believe
the Bible is really the inspired Word of God,'" or 'I will
never believe in a literal hell,' or 'I can never give up my
belief in reincarnation.'"
Shreve said the man's response was, "'Don't worry about
that. Just try Jesus! If you have an encounter with the
Lord, all of that will take care of itself.'"
The man's response worked for Shreve. He said, "The man
didn't throw a 'juicy steak' in front of me (I was
vegetarian at that time-it wouldn't have worked); but it was
a plate of tantalizing tofu. I accepted the offered meal,
ate it up, and my heart, life and belief system were
radically changed. And once my heart was transformed, my
doctrine fell into place and I switched sides on all of the
issues just mentioned."
Shreve said that too many times we try to convert people's
minds before their hearts are transformed from above, yet
once a spiritual rebirth takes place, the mind automatically
begins going through a "renewal" process.
With that in mind, Shreve said, "Let's get seekers to Jesus
first, then after they are spiritually regenerated, we can
jerk 'them old dry bones' out of their mouths (and minds)."
By Jeremy Reynalds
Correspondent for
assistnews.net
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