The Philosophy of Gospel Tracts - Part 5

This is part five of a series.  The previous articles may be read here:  Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

As I have stated previously, my ideas and views in these articles are with regards to Gospel tracts on the foreign mission field, not tracts in the United States.  Also, I want to make a clear distinction between Gospel tracts and church invitations.  I think that church invitations and Gospel tracts designed for use in the United States would typically require a very different approach in design, layout, style, and content than the ideas I am putting forth here.

Now that we have considered the validity of tracts, the content of tracts, and the importance of cultural relevance, let us move on to the next question:  Is a straightforward approach better, or is it better to ease into the message?

My opinion is that there is a time and a place for both styles of tracts.  I like to use straightforward tracts for people who already have some interest in Jesus Christ.  There are times when a person is literally asking for information about Christianity or asking good questions about Jesus and it seems a waste of time to give them a tract that beats around the bush.  For this purpose, a few years ago I wrote a tract called "Five Questions About Jesus".  This would be a perfect example of a straightforward tract.  It just tells you right on the front cover what it is about, and interestingly enough, this tract is one of the tracts that people like to use the most.  

On the other hand, many (perhaps even most) of the people with whom we come in contact are not yet interested in Christ.  They need a tract which will engage them by way of some question, statement, or topic which grabs their attention and compels them to read further.  I call those kind of tracts “back door" tracts.  The purpose of this type of tract is the same as any other tract – to get inside of a person’s heart and mind with the truth of God’s Word.  But since they often don’t throw open the front door of their mind with enthusiastic interest, we have to go through the “back door” instead.

By the way, God is the originator of the “back door” tract.  You probably already knew this, but the book of Esther doesn’t mention the word “God” even one time in 10 chapters.  Yet God’s sovereignty, wisdom, providence, grace, and power are seen all throughout.  This shows us that it is possible to get a point across with a subtle approach.

How do you know which kind of tract to use?  Here are four very simple thoughts to keep in mind.

Lang, Hang, Sang, Mang, and Chang

There is no shortage of humor on the mission field.  Recently I was writing an email update of our ministry here in Cambodia, and the thought occurred to me that some of these names must sound a little bit funny to someone who doesn’t live in Cambodia.  In one update I talked about a man named Hee and a man named Vee, and then in the next update I talked about a woman named Ree.  For the record, besides Hee, Vee, and Ree, other common names in Cambodia include Lee, Tee, Dee, and Nee.

It’s pretty common among Cambodians to name their kids in a series of very similar-sounding names, oftentimes one letter of difference between them.  I think they do it on purpose to mess with the minds of friendly pastors who try to remember their kids’ names.  My favorite family of names was the siblings of a man I led to Christ 7 years ago.  His name was Lang.  He invited me to his house one day, and when I arrived, he introduced me to his brother, Hang.  When I asked how many other siblings he had, he informed me that besides Lang and Hang, there were 4 more:  Sang, Mang, Chang, and (are you ready for this?) ...Tuen!  OK, I’ll admit it.  I was kind of disappointed when I heard that last name.  I mean…it’s not like they were all out of rhyming names.  There was still Fang, Gang, Rang, Tang, and Bang.  I don’t know.  I just felt kind of sorry for the kid.

Here are some other classics:

The Missionary's Message

Several weeks ago I wrote an article called “Cool?!”  If you have not read that article and the subsequent comments, you won’t fully understand this post.  This post is a continuation of the comments on the other post.  The reason I am posting this as a new article instead of in the comments section is that my reply is way too long to fit in the comment box.  Also it will save readers the time of having to scroll through all of the other comments to get to the newer comments.  By posting this as a new article I am in no way saying that my comments are more important than anyone else’s, but am simply trying to streamline the process for my readers.  If you would like to read the post and comments that are the precursor to this article click here.  Otherwise, just read on.

Dear Colin,

Before delving into the heart of the matter at hand, I would like to say a couple of things regarding the context and content of my article and your subsequent comments.

First, I would like to commend you for defending your friend, Tith Chandara.  Loyalty is an admirable trait, and I appreciate what you have tried to do to invest in the future of this young man and many others.  I have read through a couple more issues of LIFT since this article, most recently the expanded issue about the job market. I am grateful for the work you are doing to help give Cambodian young people a vision for their life. 

I do think that you read way too much into my blog post with regards to your reporter, Tith Chandara.  It was not in any way, shape, or form meant to demean or belittle him as a person.  My article was simply using some of his statements to make a point about an over-arching mindset towards religion.  It had nothing to do with him as a person.  From the way you describe him, he does indeed sound like a delightful young man.  I am sure if I met him that I would like him.  I am also sure that if I met him I would tell him about the Lord Jesus Christ.  If you will read the rest of this post, you will see why I must tell him about Jesus, and why it is not an arrogant thing to do but a kind thing.

The ABC's Of Driving In Cambodia

A

Angles are everything.  When another driver is turning toward you at a 5-degree angle, don’t worry, everything will turn out alright.  A 15-degree angle, you’re still fine, just make sure you keep your front bumper a few inches ahead of their front bumper so as to force them to merge behind you.  A 45-degree angle, at this point things are getting a little dicey.  Several long blasts on the horn are in order.  Warning: You should only call their bluff in direct proportion to how nice the other car is.  In other words, do you love your car more than he loves his, or does he love his car more than you love yours?  A 90-degree angle, hope your brakes work well!

B

Big cars rule!  Learn the laws of the asphalt jungle.  Know where you fit in the food chain.

C

Create your own space.  Yellow lines, white lines, double lines, dotted lines, crosswalks, concrete barriers, and sidewalks are there simply to get your creative juices flowing.  When it comes to getting from point A to point B, learn to think outside the box. 

The Philosophy of Gospel Tracts - Part 4

This is Part 4 of a series.  The previous parts to this series can be read here.

Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

The next question that I would like to discuss is:  “How important is cultural relevance, and is there a “silver bullet”?

In the last decade, the term “cultural relevance” has become quite a buzzword.  Many churches and ministries have used the term to try to convince people to attend their church, conference, concert, etc.  On the other hand, some have lambasted the term as a sure-fire sign that someone is a liberal compromiser.  I would like to examine the meaning, the misuses, and the merits of the term to see how important cultural relevance is (or isn’t) in the writing of Gospel tracts.

The Meaning Of The Term

So, what exactly IS cultural relevance?  Let’s take one word at a time, then put them together.  Cultural means “relating to a certain culture”.  Relevance means “the sensible or logical connection that one thing has with another.”  So cultural relevance is “the sensible or logical connection that one thing has with a certain culture”.  In other words, to be culturally relevant is to make a logical connection between an idea and a given audience.  In means to show a certain group of people why an idea or product is right for them.  If we are culturally relevant preachers of the Gospel, it simply means that we present our message in such a way that it connects with the people to whom we are ministering. 

Taken at face value, the term “cultural relevance” is a perfectly legitimate and even a wise approach to ministry.  After all, does anyone preach with the goal of making the message as disconnected and uninteresting as possible to his audience?  Why then has the term become so repulsive to some fundamental Baptists?  It might have something to do with the next point.

Cool?!!

I picked up a copy of the Phnom Penh Post today.  I usually don’t buy this paper, but this one had an 8-page insert inside, a “magazine” for Cambodia’s youth.  The topic of this particular issue:  youth and religion.  On the back page, one of their reporters (I think he either IS cool or was trying to BE cool…not sure) wrote an article called “5 Cool Things”.  I think the point he was trying to make was that there are cool idols, icons, and items in every religion.  In fact, I think by recognizing 4 of the world’s main religions, he was trying to say that it’s cool to be cool with religion.  Gettin’ chilly yet?

Besides learning how cool religion could be, I also picked up some good news and some bad news out of this article.

Farm Sermons, by C.H. Spurgeon (Book Review)

© Melinda Nagy | Dreamstime Stock Photos

What a joy it was to read this book!  Without a doubt this was one of the most challenging books I have ever read.  At the end of this review, you will see a link where you can read the entire book online.

This book is a collection of 19 full-length sermons by Charles Spurgeon all based upon Scripture texts that have to do with farming.  Since Spurgeon lived over 100 years ago, some may find his language a bit strange at times; however, the “down-to-earth” nature of Spurgeon’s preaching easily makes up for any words or phrases with which the reader may not be familiar.

Spurgeon is extremely adept at examining a brief text from all possible angles, and he employs colorful and descriptive imagery to drive each point home.  His well-thought and logical explanations are thought provoking, and his intense passion for both the saved and the lost comes through clearly in each sermon.  Let me highlight a few of my favorite sermons in this book.