Listening & Responding

In the fine art of communicating the gospel, we can become so caught up in winning an argument that we fail to hear what those who disagree with us have to say. The Bible speaks in James 1 (ESV) about the importance of listening.  People don't necessarily want to lectured to, but they may just want to be heard.  That chapter says:
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Ray Comfort is an experienced Christian communicator, an evangelist who uses creative means in order to see people come to Christ.  But, he's not beyond adjusting his style or approach when the situation calls for it.

Such was the case following a Turning Point USA event in California recently.  Now, keep in mind that Turning Point is not a Christian organization, but its late founder, Charlie Kirk, was a dynamic Christian and his rallies are a space in which the gospel and Christian principles can be shared.  So, Christian speakers will frequently be part of TPUSA events.  And, the organization has a faith arm, Turning Point Faith, that is centered on Biblical truth and is involved in training pastors to share it.

So, Ray Comfort was invited to speak at Cal State Fullerton, and the outcome was not to his liking - for a very unexpected reason.  A Faithwire article stated:

The New Zealand-born evangelist recently held a question-and-answer session through Turning Point USA at Cal State Fullerton, where he faced hecklers who challenged him on Christianity.

There was one problem, though. He said he didn’t make it clear enough from the start that he didn’t want to hear from people who were already believers. Instead, he told CBN News, he wanted to “guard” the microphone for agnostics, atheists, and skeptics.

So, when he speaks at the University of California, Irvine, this Thursday night, things will be different.  Comfort is quoted as saying, “We’ll guard that microphone...and say, ‘This is for atheists, this is for skeptics, this is for unbelievers, because we’re here for you. And, if you’re a Christian and you’ve got problems, we’ve got someone over there who can minister to you and give you literature and pray with you, but this is reserved for hecklers.'”

Comfort is a man on a mission: he had previously told CBN News: "The day before Charlie was killed, I told our crew, our camera crew and our planning team, that I wanted to go to 13 universities in Southern California,” said Comfort. “After what happened to Charlie, I am going to do it. I’m resolved to do it. I will not fear. I’ll not be intimidated, and I want every Christian to feel that way too because, if God’s for us, nothing can be against us.”

That article also related:

"The faith leader called Kirk “brilliant” and said, despite the pain of his killing, he’s optimistic God will raise up other leaders.

In the meantime, Comfort said he has no plans to let fear stop him from his own evangelistic quests. He’s encouraging other believers to stand up against fear as well.

He closed out that CBN interview by praying: "We pray for your church that you will raise up laborers to be salt and light,” adding, “May we preserve the rot that’s happening within our nation and may we hold up the light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the image of God.”

Charlie Kirk did not shy away from debating someone about their beliefs, but he was not a fighter - he welcomed differing opinions, but he was someone who was stalwart in his own convictions.  I think that's how we should strive to be: firm in our convictions, but compassionate in our communication.  

Ray Comfort felt at his Fullerton event that having Christians at the microphone did not accomplish the purpose of listening to the other side, so that he could respond in a compelling way.  Part of the mix for good gospel communication, and really communication generally, is knowing when to speak and when not to.  The Bible tells us we should be quick to listen and slow to speak.  By listening, we learn, and through that knowledge, we can know better how to answer the other person.  Listening can be a disarming thing, but it can equip us to better relate to someone else, even someone who does not know Christ.

We also must be people of flexibility.  Ray Comfort, as experienced as he is, decided to change his approach the next time he does a Turning Point rally.  That demonstrates incredible self-awareness and humility - we must look at ourselves, realize where we fall short, and be willing to change in order to carry out the work of God.