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Originally Posted by KSon  Among the worst methods is the psychological manipulation method, made famous in IFB. Here you manipulate emotions by scaring the dickens out of them by preaching about the torments of hell and then present Jesus, not as Creator, King, Lord, High Priest, Son of God, but rather as an insurance policy against such misfortune. First you appeal to their pride-driven sense of self-preservation, walk them quickly through the "Romans Road" and then press for a prayer, assuring them that by doing so they have "saved their soul" from eternal torment. Manipulation, misuse of Scripture, and Arminian decisionism all wrapped into one. |
This is so true. Appeals to self-preservation, making threats ... that's really a horrible way to do evangelism. This is one reason I love Reformed churches, by the way--because they end with a benediction. I'm all burned out on church services that end by telling you to ask yourself whether you are sure you are saved or whether you would go to hell if you died tonight. I have seen 'altar calls' that were just abusive in the way they reduced good, sincere believers to tears and filled them with doubts about their salvation. It might get people to the front to pray, but in the long run, I think it did much more harm than good.
It is so much more helpful to hear at the end, "May God bless you and keep you ... etc" or one of the other peaceful and encouraging blessings from God to His people.