Why doesn't John 3.16 say "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever 'prays the prayer" would not perish, but would have eternal life."? Or "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever receives Him as Lord and Savior would not perish but have everlasting life"?
Why does it "just" say "believes"?
Of course I understand the Greek conveys the meaning of "Trust, cling to, rely on" etc...but it certainly does not mean "pray 'the' prayer" (that is not found anywhere in scripture).
Just wondering...yeah, and just encouraging us to think this through...
I'll go one step further.
Those of us who work with teens want them to stand up for Jesus, to stand out for Jesus, to unashamedly speak and live for Jesus, right?
Then why do we all too often start them off in secret..."every head is bowed, every eye is closed; no one looking around" with music playing softly in the background....
Understand this, I am not totally "against" invitations; I am against any that are manipulative, play on emotions, or give even the slightest indication that raising a hand or "going forward" has anything to do with conversion. If the "invitation" is designed to put a student with a counselor where there is adequate time for counsel without a rush to get out of the building or to the next activity; it's all good...
But....
Just wondering....
Any thoughts?
10 comments:
Jack, here is a good read on this subject. http://callingusout.org/articles/8-reasons-why-we-shouldn%E2%80%99t-teach-people-to-pray-a-prayer-to-be-saved/
I have had questions myself about praying a prayer for salvation. I do not believe praying a prayer is out of the question as a part ones salvation, but it is not a requirement for salvation. In some respects, salvation is extremely complicated, yet at the same time, it is extremely simple. When it comes to the God side of salvation and all that is involved it theologically blows my mind.
With any idea that someone has, the intension were good in nature, but then it became tradition. The idea of the salvation prayer embodies the parts of salvation into a verbal recognition. Romans 10:9-10 tells us that salvation is heart and mouth issue. We are to believe in our heart and confess with our mouth.
When I share the plan of salvation, I do use a salvation prayer. However, I emphasize that it is not the words that save. The words are not magical. Salvation is spiritual. The words or recognition need to come from the heart. The words are simply a confession of the heart. Personally, I will continue to use the prayer of salvation, as it is simply a part of my method. It defiantly is not a requirement.
Believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth is according to Romans 10:9-10.
One thing I have changed in my method. I no longer ask those who have prayed the prayer to raise their hand, I ask them to look at me and make eye contact. This gives me the opportunity to recognize them and talk with them later. I also ask them to come to me after the meeting to talk with them.
Anyway, those are my thoughts.
Kelly Todd
Thanks, "moon," for that link; good stuff. Kelly, I concur with your assessment; when I preach in prison I almost "have" to suggest a prayer type thing, as I rarely have the opportunity for face to face; and for many years I've often done as you do, having them look up at me...and there are times (horrors!) when I don't feel prompted to give an "invitation." Obviously illumination factors into this, as does whether one is dogmatically armenian or calvinistic...or a mixture of both? All I know for sure is that since non christians are "dead" God must do something; and I am grateful He brought me to salvation way back in that jail cell in Texas.
Good thoughts Jack. As the simple minded preacher once said "Dead men kaint make themseves alive--it aint of a tongue or a heart, it's of the Lord"
Jack, I was asked to take charge of a youth group. The previous leader shared the Gospel every week. When I watch this happen, the teens had the look of, not this again. I decided when I was fully incharge that I would let the Holy Spirit direct me to share the Gospel. So week went by before I shared the Gospel. By the Spirit leading many teens accepted Christ. The Spirits illumination is so precious and important to the Gospel.
One of the problems with invitations is that they paint salvation in terms of an event rather than a life-long process of knowing God and experiencing the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit. Invitations are an extreme example of bounded-set thinking because they convey the idea that a person can cross an imaginary spiritual line by making a decision to know God.
Yet on the flip-side salvation can begin with a simple yes to the Holy Spirit. If the giver of the invitation (and counselors) understand that and, as you say, there is time for teaching/counsel afterwards then there can be good fruit from the event.
I guess it is both simple and complicated.
I agree there's a problem, but an invitation isn't really something we can eliminate. Maybe it just needs to be approached differently.
I agree Jenny. Perhaps removing threatening language from those invitations would be a start? Turn or burn language is simply inappropriate for teens and many others.
Jack, I typically don't comment, but I feel compelled to in this instance. I'm glad you broached the subject, because it's really time to do away with the prayer. Any scripted prayer at all. No matter the good intentions, they always sound like incantations and whenever I hear my pastor give it, I look up to see if lightning has struck or someone has turned into a newt. Several years ago, the last time I worked at a camp, a camper asked me how to pray to be saved. My response: "I have no idea. You start with 'Hi, God - it's me.' and then you repent from there." Seems to me that we invented the prayer as a way for the "chosen" to separate themselves from the "not chosen".
"Oh, you haven't said the "prayer"? Bummer. Guess you're going to Hell. I can say it with you if you want and that will save your soul!" See how ridiculous this scheme sounds when you say it out loud?
But scripting is part of our religion. We script baptisms. We script communion (just like Jesus intended, I'm sure). We've even scripted baby dedications - how incredibly heartbreaking. So, scripting salvation is just part of the show.
Should we get rid of the prayer - yeah, it's a ridiculous tradition that lumps our religion with the Druids. Can we get rid of the "prayer" - not in a million years. The "chosen" have to have some way of initiating new converts. What better way than making them recite something. Wish it rhymed - it would make it more enjoyable.
Ro 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Post a Comment