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Friendship evangelism deception
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640


1. Friendship evangelism deception
The ideas on this page are under development.

2. Point in time fallacy
PIT fallacyPIT (Point In Time) fallacy: Any theological idea, theory, etc., that comes into being at a certain point in time and, by implication, leaves everyone who existed prior to that point in time "out of luck" is not to be believed without careful analysis and thought.
Does believing something make it true?
Verse routeJohn 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. [kjv]

Discuss: When Jesus makes this statement to Pilate, is it restricted to a PIT?

Information sign More: John: The reason for the season

3. Point in time fallacy
Here are some examples.

4. Lack of evidence fallacy
A lack of evidence fallacy is when someone makes a claim but does not have evidence to support the claim. Many times, it is just anecdotal evidence. Another name for this fallacy might be the wishful thinking fallacy.

Example: Your organization hands out 10,000 Bibles. Someone has some anecdotal story about how it may have helped someone. Thus, the entire endeavor was a success.

Reality: One should estimate, with some quantifiable data, the actual value achieved and then estimate how much value might have been obtained with some other endeavor.

When someone makes a claim about what the Bible says and/or means in modern times, a good question is the following.

5. Friendship evangelism deception
Some pastors, groups, etc., will preach that one should become a friend with someone in order to present the gospel. This is deceptive in that, although this may work to some extent, it is not what Jesus, Paul, etc., did nor what they taught.

This page is a start at looking at the background of this idea.

The idea appears to have become popular in the 1980's and is still advocated today.

6. John 15:15
Verse routeJohn 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. [kjv]
Verse routeουκετι λεγω υμας δουλους οτι ο δουλος ουκ οιδεν τι ποιει αυτου ο κυριος υμας δε ειρηκα φιλους οτι παντα α ηκουσα παρα του πατρος μου εγνωρισα υμιν [gnt]

In John, Jesus calls fellow believers "friends". Some pastors in sermons will use the phrase "now friends" when addressing the congregation in an almost condescending and superior way as to give one the impression that they are taking on the role of Jesus for themselves. Sometimes this role appears to be more like impersonation than imitation. Perhaps that pastor is really a Quaker (rather than a quacker bird). The Quakers are known as the Society of Friends.

Information sign More: Imitator or impersonator of Christ
Discuss: How many "friends" did the true prophets have? How about the false prophets. How many "friends" did Paul have?

Does Jesus say to go out and "make friends"? Are we to "make friends" with the world?

7. Students
In academia, "students" will often try to become "friends" with the "teacher" since, "friends do not give bad grades to friends".

Discuss: Can you be "friends" with Jesus such that you do not need to do well in "class"?

Such a student will often define "fair" as doing what the student wants. Discuss:

8. Song: What a friend we have in Jesus
Verse routeColossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, … [kjv]
Verse routeδια τουτο και ημεις αφ ης ημερας ηκουσαμεν ου παυομεθα υπερ υμων προσευχομενοι και αιτουμενοι ινα πληρωθητε την επιγνωσιν του θεληματος αυτου εν παση σοφια και συνεσει πνευματικη [gnt]

Joseph Scriven (1819-1886) wrote a poem of comfort to his mother entitled "Pray without ceasing". Charles Converse (1832-1918), an American educated in Germany, set Scriven's poem "Pray without ceasing" to music and renamed it "What a friend we have in Jesus". One verse talks of trials and temptations. Music: What a friend we have in Jesus


Information sign More: Song: What a friend we have in Jesus

9. John 15:15
   John 15:15 
 All 
KJV: Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Greek: ουκετι υμας λεγω υμας δουλους οτι ο δουλος ουκ οιδεν τι ποιει αυτου ο κυριος υμας δε ειρηκα φιλους οτι παντα α ηκουσα παρα του πατρος μου εγνωρισα υμιν

10. Matthew 28:19-20 The Great Mandate
Verse routeMatthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [kjv]
Verse route28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. [kjv]

Matthew ends with "The Great Commission" and uses the Latin word "mandani""commanded" as in "mandate". The Greek translated as "nations" is that of "people". As you go through life, you should "teach" others what Jesus wants you to teach them.

Star Trek: .. to go where no man has gone before .... Jesus does not want you to do what is said in Star Trek. Jesus wants you ... to go where men have gone before - and give them the Good News ....

Information sign More: The mandate of Maundy Thursday

11. Matthew 28:19 Trinity
Verse routeMatthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [kjv]
Verse routeπορευθεντες ουν μαθητευσατε παντα τα εθνη βαπτιζοντες αυτους εις το ονομα του πατρος και του υιου και του αγιου πνευματος [gnt]
Verse routeeuntesdocetegentes … [v]

Trinity circle - spirit Trinity cube 1
This is one place where all three parts of the "Trinity" are explicitly mentioned.


Information sign More: Addition: mathematical dimensions of the Trinity
Information sign More: The mandate of Maundy Thursday

12. Great mandate
Verse routeMatthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [kjv]
Verse routeπορευθεντες ουν μαθητευσατε παντα τα εθνη βαπτιζοντες αυτους εις το ονομα του πατρος και του υιου και του αγιου πνευματος [gnt]
Verse routeeuntesdocetegentes … [v]

Verse route28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. [kjv]
Verse routeδιδασκοντες αυτους τηρειν παντα οσα ενετειλαμην υμιν και ιδου εγω μεθ υμων ειμι πασας τας ημερας εως της συντελειας του αιωνος [gnt]

The Greek translated as "nations" is that of "people". What does Jesus say to do?

13. Evangelism context
Verse route2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [kjv]
Verse routeκηρυξον τον λογον επιστηθι ευκαιρως ακαιρως ελεγξον επιτιμησον παρακαλεσον εν παση μακροθυμια και διδαχη [gnt]
Verse route4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [kjv]
Verse route4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [kjv]
Verse route4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. [kjv]
Verse routeσυ δε νηφε εν πασιν κακοπαθησον εργον ποιησον ευαγγελιστου την διακονιαν σου πληροφορησον [gnt]
Verse routeopusevangelistae ministerium … [v]

Does Paul tell Timothy to first make "friends" with those to whom he is "preaching" as on "evangelist"?

Information sign More: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 The moving ethics of tinnitus and itching ears

14. Tiberius Caesar and sheep
Verse routeLuke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, … [kjv]

Sheep
Emperor Tiberius Caesar (on taxes): It is the duty of a good shepherd to shear his sheep, not to skin them.

At the same time, Jesus was walking and teaching in Judea. Jesus had a different idea about what it meant to be a "good" "shepherd".

Verse routeJohn 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. [kjv]
Verse routeεγω ειμι ο ποιμην ο καλος ο ποιμην ο καλος την ψυχην αυτου τιθησιν υπερ των προβατων [gnt]




Information sign More: Matthew 17:24-27 Tacky attacks on a senseless tax

15. John 15:12-14
Verse routeJohn 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. [kjv]
Verse route15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. [kjv]
Verse route15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. [kjv]

The constraint is "love your neighbor as yourself". The "as yourself" is constraint is often omitted. Those who promote this (deceptive) idea ignore the next two verses.

16. John 15:12
   John 15:12 
 All 
KJV: This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greek: αυτη εστιν η εντολη η εμη ινα αγαπατε αλληλους καθως ηγαπησα υμας

17. John 15:13
   John 15:13 
 All 
KJV: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Greek: μειζονα ταυτης αγαπην ουδεις εχει ινα τις την ψυχην αυτου θη υπερ των φιλων αυτου

18. John 15:14
   John 15:14 
 All 
KJV: Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Greek: υμεις φιλοι μου εστε εαν ποιητε οσα ο εγω εντελλομαι υμιν

19. Love and the world
Verse routeJohn 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. [kjv]
Verse routeταυτα εντελλομαι υμιν ινα αγαπατε αλληλους [gnt]

Living a life of love is NOT going along with everyone's point of view.

Some will claim this is the most important command from Jesus and that it "changes everything".
The constraint is "love your neighbor as yourself". The "as yourself" is constraint is often omitted. Those who promote this (deceptive) idea ignore the next two verses.

Information sign More: Jesus and change

20. Hate and the world
Verse routeJohn 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. [kjv]
Verse routeει ο κοσμος υμας μισει γινωσκετε οτι εμε πρωτον υμων μεμισηκεν [gnt]
Verse route15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. [kjv]
Verse routeει εκ του κοσμου ητε ο κοσμος αν το ιδιον εφιλει οτι δε εκ του κοσμου ουκ εστε αλλ εγω εξελεξαμην υμας εκ του κοσμου δια τουτο μισει υμας ο κοσμος [gnt]

If the world loves you, is something wrong? Perhaps you have moved away from the truth (reality) of Jesus. Discuss:

21. God is love does not mean love is God
God is love and love as god
Since the world hates people who love Jesus, the only way to make friends with some people is to become like the world.

22. Sin and guilt
A foundational part of evangelism is to tell people about "sin" and "guilt". This is the reason one needs Jesus.

Modern psychology was developed by Freud, who hated the Bible and Christians. He chose ideas to be the opposite of the Bible. Thus, the solution to problems were to get rid of "sin" and "guilt".

Some pastors promote some of these modern anti-Biblical ideas. One pastor gave an assistant pastor working for him a sermon on the modern anti-Biblical ideas of getting rid of sin and guilt. That assistant pastor had too much Bible knowledge and integrity to do what was requested and instead, danced around the issue while preaching some Bible truth. That assistant pastor did not last long at that church. The congregation loved that assistant pastor, but the main pastor's secular-based ideas appeared to take priority over Biblical ideas.

23. Friendship evangelism
What can happen if you use "friendship" to "influence" others to Jesus?

Jesus never says that it is important to "have friends". That is part of (popular) Epicurean Greek philosophy. Some pastors preach that it is very important to "have friends".

24. Epicurus
Book: Epicurus
Epicurus (341-270 BC) was a Greek philosopher who, rejecting Plato's ideas, founded the movement called Epicureanism. These ideas are still popular today and preached in some churches.
Some pastors will preach on the great importance of having friends and make that part of their Bible teaching. It is hard to find Bible support for this idea.

Instead, one should "be a friend" as Jesus was, and not "need a friend".

Information sign More: Song: What a friend we have in Jesus
Information sign More: Philippians 4:9-11 Being content with self-sufficiency
Information sign More: Stoics and Epicureans

25. With a little help from my friends
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and sung by drummer Ringo Starr, the Beatles song "With a little help from my friends" was on the "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album released on May 26, 1967.
It is not so much our friends' help that helps us, as the confidence of their help. Epicurus.

Consider Paul. No. Not Paul McCartney, but the Apostle Paul. What does Paul think of the "Epicurean" philosophy of having friends, anger management, etc.?

Information sign More: Stoics and Epicureans

26. Acts 26:22 Epicureans
Verse routeActs 26:22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: [kjv]
Verse routeεπικουριας ουν τυχων της απο του θεου αχρι της ημερας ταυτης εστηκα μικρω τε και μεγαλω ουδεν εκτος λεγων ων τε οι προφηται ελαλησαν μελλοντων γινεσθαι και μωυσης [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "ἐπικουρία""help, aid" and is used by Paul as a play on words of the Greek philosopher "Ἐπίκουρος ""Epicurus" (341-270 BC).

Did Paul first become a "friend" of those to whom he was "witnessing"?

27. Matthew 23:15 Jesus talks about recruiting friends
Jesus talks about what happens if you recruit followers (as friends, etc.) with incorrect motives (e.g., to fill the pews as a "return on investment").

Verse routeMatthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. [kjv]
Verse routeουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι περιαγετε την θαλασσαν και την ξηραν ποιησαι ενα προσηλυτον και οταν γενηται ποιειτε αυτον υιον γεεννης διπλοτερον υμων [gnt]

A "proselyte" is someone who is being recruited to be a part of the group, as in being a "friend" to bring a new member or attendee into a church. Might the "proselyte" be compared to a "fish" that is caught for the purpose of getting a gold coin? This is a different way to be a "fisher" of "men". It is more like a "snake" posing as a "fisher".

The Greek translated as "hypocrites" means "acting" or "pretending".

Information sign More: An actor as a hypocrite is not real
Information sign More: Matthew 17:24-27 Tacky attacks on a senseless tax
Information sign More: Matthew 5:42 Do not loan shirk

28. Matthew 23:15

 All 
KJV: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Greek: ουαι υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι περιαγετε την θαλασσαν και την ξηραν ποιησαι ενα προσηλυτον και οταν γενηται ποιειτε αυτον υιον γεεννης διπλοτερον υμων

29. Matthew 4:19 Luring fish
Verse routeMatthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι λεγει αυτοις δευτε οπισω μου και ποιησω υμας αλιεις ανθρωπων [gnt]

Fish symbol

IXTHUS
Are you to use "bait", a "lure" and a "hook" in order to be a "fisher of men"? The Greek for "follow" is that of "come behind".
Are you to "lure" "fish" to Jesus by "inviting" them to church? The idea of a "hook" is that of a "harpoon". The Greek word for "harpoon" is used both for the "rapture" by Jesus and by "ravenous" wolves (wolf dogs in contrast to sheep dogs) leading the faithful astray.

30. Matthew 4:19
   Matthew 4:19 
 All 
KJV: And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Greek: και λεγει αυτοις δευτε οπισω μου και ποιησω υμας αλιεις ανθρωπων

31. Matthew 12:26-29 Snatching the raptured goods from the strong man
Verse routeMatthew 12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. [kjv]
Verse routeη πως δυναται τις εισελθειν εις την οικιαν του ισχυρου και τα σκευη αυτου σαι αρπασαι εαν μη πρωτον δηση τον ισχυρον και τοτε την οικιαν αυτου διαρπασει [gnt]

Exodus and way outThe GNT (Greek New Testament) word for "spoil" is the ancient Greek word "ἁρπάζω""snatch away, carry off" and may be related to the ancient Greek word "ἅρπη""bird of prey" as a hawk or falcon and which may be related to the PIE (Proto Indo-European) root for "reap", "harvest", "sickle". This word for "snatch" is sometimes translated "rapture" or "ravenous" as in "wolves".
The ancient Greek word "σκευή""vessel" as something that is made but can refer to "people" as in a "chosen vessel".

[Last Supper, 1 & 2 Thessalonians]

Information sign More: Matthew 12:26-29 Snatching the raptured goods from the strong man

32. Crying wolf for the search and seizure of the rapture
Verse routeMatthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [kjv]
Verse routeπροσεχετε απο των ψευδοπροφητων οιτινες ερχονται προς υμας εν ενδυμασιν προβατων εσωθεν δε εισιν λυκοι αρπαγες [gnt]
Verse routefalsis prophetisvestimentis oviumlupi rapaces [v]

The phrase "to cry wolf" is used to indicate the proclamation of a "false alarm".

The rapture is the "snatching up" of believers (rapiemur in Latin). The word is not in the Bible because the word "rapture" is from the Latin and not the English or Greek.

The ancient Greek word "ἁρπάζω""snatch away, carry off" and is found in various places in the Bible but translated using many different words.

Information sign More: Crying wolf for the search and seizure of the rapture

33. Matthew 9:12-13 Paraphrase
Verse routeMatthew 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. [kjv]

Verse route9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. [kjv]


34. Osmosis
Without knowing the name for this idea, I had always likened it to "osmosis". That, somehow, if one provided an example in their life, others would, through osmosis, see that behavior and want that for themselves.
Note: This is just one idea and does not follow precise osmosis as understood in the field of chemistry.

35. 1 Peter 3:15-16
Verse route1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: [kjv]
Verse routeκυριον δε τον χριστον αγιασατε εν ταις καρδιαις υμων ετοιμοι αει προς απολογιαν παντι τω αιτουντι υμας λογον περι της εν υμιν ελπιδος αλλα μετα πραυτητος και φοβου [gnt]
Verse route3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. [kjv]
Verse routeσυνειδησιν εχοντες αγαθην ινα εν ω καταλαλεισθε καταισχυνθωσιν οι επηρεαζοντες υμων την αγαθην εν χριστω αναστροφην [gnt]

Peter makes statements about the importance of setting a good example. Those that "falsely" accuse you would be using any hypocrisy of your "conversation" (meaning all interactions, verbal or otherwise) in Christ as in "manner of life".

Note that the reason for setting a good example is not that it otherwise negates the teachings of Jesus, but that, many may not believe because, in effect, many are swayed by the "tu quoque" logic fallacy.

Information sign More: Tu quoque or you too fallacy

36. End of page

by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640