How important is theology for evangelists?

[~candice~]

Well I'm not called to be a teacher, apart from the mentoring that happens when someone gets saved. I'm an evangelist. But I'm kinda aware of the fact that my theology has areas that needs lots of improvement, and revision since I left the wofer church I got saved in. So how important is theology to evangelists? I love studying it, that doesn't mean I am brilliant at it though.

[Fez]

Theology - The Study of God...

I think it is vital to have a good grasp of theology if one is to evangelize. Especially the NT, but with a solid OT foundation as well.

I have had questions asked of me that have been a stretch to answer, and I have often said, "I don't know all the answers, no one does, but I will get back to you"

The vital thing is then to keep your word and get back to the person asap.

Especially if you are assisting with an Alpha course for seekers for instance.

So yes, in my opinion it is important.

[nebula]

I'm a teacher and very lousy when it comes to evangelism.

So I don't know what theology is needed for evangelism beyond the basics.

However, I do know that theology is important for your personal walk and growth.

[Guest shiloh357]

Well I'm not called to be a teacher, apart from the mentoring that happens when someone gets saved. I'm an evangelist. But I'm kinda aware of the fact that my theology has areas that needs lots of improvement, and revision since I left the wofer church I got saved in. So how important is theology to evangelists? I love studying it, that doesn't mean I am brilliant at it though.

Theology is very important, particularly if you plan to stand in the position of being one of the Lord's mouthpieces.

[Dragoon]

Well I'm not called to be a teacher, apart from the mentoring that happens when someone gets saved. I'm an evangelist. But I'm kinda aware of the fact that my theology has areas that needs lots of improvement, and revision since I left the wofer church I got saved in. So how important is theology to evangelists? I love studying it, that doesn't mean I am brilliant at it though.

I think theology/doctrine are essential for all believers. I don't mean the dry creation of systematic theologies and the argument over how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, but rather clear and certain knowledge of the living God, who He is, and what He has revealed to us.

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1)

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16)

Evangelism and acceptance of Christ are important, but sound teaching in the true ways of God are also part of the ongoing work to produce good fruit.

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:2-3)

I've often been surprised at how tongue tied and confused some other faiths become when you ask them, "What is your god like?"

May that never be true for us.

[Isaiah 6:8]

I think having a Solid Theology is not essential to be an evangelist. Now before others stone me for that, let me explain.

By definition an Evangelist is a person that shares the word... Does this mean that a young man comes to the Lord and has a life changing experiences, goes and tells his friends about it and they come to Christ as a result of his testimony in the wrong? No. He is being an Evangelist using the word of his testimony. You see they defeat the beast by the blood of the Lamb and the word of the testimony. So no. in this manner you do not need to know anything but Christ Crucified.

Now, if you are a more mature Christian who wants to evangelize you would need to be solid on your basic theology. Like Christ is God. Through him we are saved. etc... but a perfect, Bible College or seminary theology is not needed.

What is needed is a passion for the Lord and for lost souls.

[mizzdy]

By definition theology is the study of God, but I find thats not always the case, how often do we hear 'your theology is off' when disagreements come up, so to me not all theology is just studing God but religious practices etc. Everyone needs to be grounded in His word in order to be able to speak His truth to others and since none of us regardless of our educational background, years of study will never fully understand the bible nor God, nor are we always right despite somes constant insistance they are. If someone is going to be an evangelist against islam I would think then they would need to be fully versed in that theology also? Sure we should always strive to know what we are speaking about but I also believe that God will put into our mouths what we need to speak also if its His will. I agree with Isaiah, "What is needed is a passion for the Lord and for lost souls."

shalom,

Mizz

[Fez]

Two slightly different perspectives here, with mizzdy and izzy being on one side and others on the other.

But the perspectives are slight, because both rely on the Word as the basis for evangelizing.

So perhaps theology is too finite a word, and sound knowledge of the Word is the bottom line? (which on it's own has some theology necessary, but not to the nth degree?)

Blessings

[MrClark]

Personally I think theology is very important when evangelizing or witnessing. I think when we speak with unbelievers, whether we like it or not that person is judging all of Christianity based on us. If we come across as ignorant or uninformed, how does that make Christianity look? They may then go on to tell others that Christians are intolerant, bigoted, ignorant, foolish, etc., which you can imagine spread like ripples in a pond. For this same reason I think it's most important to act like a Christian, after all actions speak louder than words.

[mizzdy]

Personally I think theology is very important when evangelizing or witnessing. I think when we speak with unbelievers, whether we like it or not that person is judging all of Christianity based on us. If we come across as ignorant or uninformed, how does that make Christianity look? They may then go on to tell others that Christians are intolerant, bigoted, ignorant, foolish, etc., which you can imagine spread like ripples in a pond. For this same reason I think it's most important to act like a Christian, after all actions speak louder than words.

Sometimes what you say happens especially if the person is only wanting to hear plain speech and they are getting too much information and yes even too many scriptures thrown at them at once. People in order to help others need to be grounded in His word, one doesn't need to be 'studied' in the various theologies of the denoms or this or that to talk to unbelievers or those seeking, at least I don't think so. If one is going to be debating with others then I would say you need some general idea of what your talking about.