El Salvador is a tiny Central American republic about 150 miles long and sixty miles wide. It has the densest population of any country in continental America, averaging approximately 300 people’ to the square mile. This condition in itself provides an unusual opportunity for evangelism-people are everywhere.
Time: July 1948.
Place: a deserted street corner in Guatemala City. I could feel the heat of the rough cement sidewalk against my hands and body. In front of me a machine gun rattled and spat out hot empty cartridges that rolled down aimlessly and tumbled into the gutter. I lifted my, face in the acrid air and saw two men crawling from a shattered vehicle up the street.
What is our essential saving message in evangelism? It seems like a foolish question: does not everybody know? Are not all professing Christians pretty well agreed on the message we preach?
For sacrificial and self-denying service, Christ promises a reward. Everyone who has forsaken houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, says the Savior, “shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life (Matt. 19:29).
Revolution is changing our world – how can the Christian meet it? Before attempting an answer to the question, it will be necessary briefly to examine some characteristics of modern revolutionary movements.
We have laid down the principle that the missionary’s preparation must be commensurate with the task assigned. Further, we have defined the missionary’s task, pointing out its changeless as well as relative aspects. (Evangelical Missions Quarterly, Summer, 1965.) Thus we know the quality of men needed, and we now turn to the missionary’s preparation.
REPORTER: I've come from the Antioch Faith Times. We'd like to produce a feature on your missionary society.
DIRECTOR: Sit down. I had no idea we were getting in the news. What are you interested in? I've got an hour before I meet the converts in Tyrannus's hall.
At one time Christian literature with a strong European or American flavor was welcomed in African countries. Christianity was equated with education and progress, and its links with civilized” countries were an advantage.
The world is a big place. Its population increases fantastically. By the end of the century six thousand million people will be living in the five continents, though the greatest number by far will be living in Asia. In forty years’ time communications will have been improved so that even the most remote areas will be within access. Illiteracy will have been largely conquered. Public health will have made great strides. Independence and freedom from external control will be the lot of every nation.
Three theories about the hereafter hold the ground today.
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