St. Francis of Assisi’s Aphorism and Modern Evangelicalism
Dec 3rd, 2009 | By Douglas K. Adu-Boahen | Category: 21st Century Reformation, Lying Spirits and False Teaching
St Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order
On my blog post related to Rob Bell’s distortion of the gospel, several commenters have commended the supposed words of St. Francis of Assisi:
“Preach the Gospel; if necessary, use words.”
Now I will be blunt, I could care very little for the words of St. Francis. Scripture tells me the following:
1Co 1:18-25 KJV For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (19) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. (20) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (21) For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (22) For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: (23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (24) But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (25) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
The preaching of the Word is the God-ordained means by which men are drawn to the Saviour. St. Francis either didn’t read these passages or he engaged in what commenter after commenters has done – redefine or mangle what is preaching! Here is what my Reformed Baptist forefathers had to say about the means by which the effectual call of the Gospel goes forth:
1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, ch. 10, sec. 1
Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, He is pleased in His appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call, [1] by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ; [2] enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God; [3] taking away their heart of stone, and giving to them a heart of flesh; [4] renewing their wills, and by His almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; [5] yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace. [6]
1 Rom. 8:30, 11:7; Eph. 1:10,11; 2 Thess. 2:13,14
2 Eph. 2:1-6
3 Acts 26:18; Eph. 1:17,18
4 Ezek. 36:26
5 Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:27; Eph. 1:19
6 Ps. 110:3; Cant. 1:4
They had the right idea – the Spirit of God uses the preached Word of God – I love the way in which the Second Helvetic Confession describes the preaching of the Word of God as the Word of God – to bring about spiritual life in otherwise walking corpses! Dear friends, it’s a rejection of the primacy of preaching that has led to the idiocy we find in modern evangelicalism. I have heard it say by so many preachers that the greatest judgment God can place on a society is the removal of sound preachers from its midst and I’m inclined to agree. Preach the Gospel and take with you sound words – that’s an aphorism I can live by.
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Brother, you may want to also check to see if Francis actually said those words or not.
Yes, I did notice there was a little bit of dispute as to whether he actually said that, hence my use of the qualifier "supposed"…
Good word my brother!
The Gospel IS WORDS about our misdeeds.
"…and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" – Romans10:14
Thanks for commenting, Mr Burke.
Exactly – it’s a message. The very word Gospel necessitates that a MESSAGE, a DECLARATION. So frustrating when folks confuse a message and its fruits.
i'm not quite certain you are fully understanding the meaning behind the quote "Preach often – if necessary, use words." (which i understand may not have actually been said by St. Frank). Perhaps it's more of an 'actions speak louder than words' kind of thing. Not that we should preach Christ crucified… not that we shouldn't share His story of redemption – but that we should do it in many ways – not just by using actual words. We have the ability to communicate in various ways. If i preach 'Love' but don't show Love – then my words don't mean a thing. (1 Cor. 13; Matt. 25:40). If i preach God's repentance and the forgiveness of sins- but am unwilling to forgive myself – then my actions are not in accord with my preaching.
That is what this quote – no matter who said it – is saying.
John tells us to 'Walk like Jesus'. (1 john 2:6). Paul tells us to 'preach Christ crucified. Jesus calls us to serve/shows an example of how to serve (Matt. 8:14-15) Matt. 20:28, John 13:3-5, Phil. 2:5-8) All are correct. Walk and Talk… or walk the talk.
You cited 1 Cor. 1:18. Good verse! "the message of the Cross is foolishness for those perishing." Maybe more would be saved if the church and Christians (by and large) practiced what they preached. maybe people parish – in part, because our message sometimes isn't in line with any action at all.
Just my 2 cents.
I am not catholic – but St. Francis did do some good things – serving and preaching in the name of the Lord. let us not forget that.
Christ calls us to be obedient. Matthew 25:31-46 talks about this. the real evidence of our belief is the way we act. How well do our actions separate us from pretenders or unbelievers?
Remember this: Paul says in 1 Cor. 10:31-33 "Do everything for the glory of God…this is the plan i follow, too, I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved."
Our very salvation was not a word – but an action and action can bring people to Christ… and our words / Christ's words can bring about repentance.
thanks!
blessings.
Mike
sorry, my third sentence: "Not that we should preach Christ crucified…" should have read: "Not that we shouldn't preach Christ crucified…"
should have proof read…
Hey Douglas,
Liking this new layout bro.
I used to agree with the sentiment you expressed here, that the Gospel is a seed that we just spread and then the Holy Spirit will activate certain people to accept it. That kind of mechanical view of salvation doesn't take into account, at least from my perspective, the persuading–intellectual wrangling, that the apostles and Jesus practiced when they were doing evangelism. I mean, if it was just a 'throwing it out there' and waiting for the Spirit to bring the elect to faith through it, then why discuss things in Socratic dialog like Jesus does in his numerous witnessing encounters? Or why would Paul talk about husbands being converted to the faith by the lifestyle of their wives?
Believe me man, I would once give this post a hearty amen. Back on the Baptistboard about two years ago I debated this subject a lot, then a missionary to Japan with the screen name "John of Japan" put my young arrogant butt on the floor by bringing up verses like this, as well as quotes from Reformed heroes who acknowledge the role that our witness plays in the spread of the Gospel.
So I would check out Calvin's commentaries, since I think you have them, and see what he has to say about some of the passages that lifestyle evangelists use to support their position, like the one I mentioned. I'm pretty sure that the Bible teaches that our lifestyles play a vital role in the spread of the Gospel.
But it's a tough issue, I think it's one of those issues where we have to leave the tension unresolved and stay biblical–just like on the question of evangelism that is very similar to this one, ie is God has the elect, and I'm disobedient in my evangelism, will the elect not be saved? I don't know, I think questions like that are tough(and this one).
Anyways, thought provoking post. MTB, you make some good points.
Andy,
Thanks for the comment.
I fully believe that evangelism is not a walk in the fields. I even attended a lecture just today at my church’s seminary where that exact point about persuading, wrestling, reasoning, etc. was made, and I whole-heartedly agree. In fact, I’d go so far as to say many Reformed folks don’t even practice that kind of pointed, intentional wrestling with the mind and hearts of those they proclaim the Gospel to. Further, I agree that lifestyle is very important – when Paul lays out the qualifications for an elder, he stresses moral cleanliness to the hilt.
The point I was responding to in this post was the idea that conduct somehow is a substitute for the Gospel proclamation, as was argued in the comment thread on the Rob Bell post I referenced. Definitely, if I knock the seven shades out of you and then “Repent and believe the Gospel”, it’s not going to happen. That doesn’t depreciate the necessity of Gospel proclamation, however, particularly when the Apostles were very forthright in that presentation…
lol @ attacking me and then witnessing, that's a good example bro. It really shows how all of us believe, when it comes down to it, that our witness is important.
And good point about this being a response to Rob Bell. When it's seen in that context, I fully agree with your points. Rob Bell and his followers are a joke for trying to persuade Christians to not do evangelize but instead do good deeds.*facepalm*.
Sorry for my misreading–good post though!