Jesus is Coming - Turn or Burn
February 12, 2008
A friend of mine sent me these pictures. She was driving on a 6-lane freeway at the time, hence the fuzzy pictures. :) So… what do you all think about this? Is this a good evangelism tool? Why or why not? I know there are a lot of differing opinions on this and I am curious to know what yours is.
So, is this a good way to evangelize? Why or why not? Do you have scripture to support your stance? I want to know what you are thinking.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
I’m kind of scared to be the first to reply, lol. I don’t think this kind of thing is a good way. I think we need to focus on the Christ’s love, not scare tactics. I do believe people need to know the truth about Hell, but it’s the Holy Spirits job of convicting others about their sin, not mine.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:02 am
I think tactics like this just make non-believers think we are crazy. It doesn’t send a good message, it sends a “wow-those-christians-sure-are-delusional-freaks” message that just pushes them away. I think you need to have a relationship with someone before you spout the serious “turn or burn” message. Just my opinion though… I’m curious to see what others say.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:24 am
I disagree with that type of evangelism, ‘I’ think it’s crazy, and I’m a Christian, I can’t imagine what non-Christians think!
We have a family that stands on a busy street corner in our town. Every Wednesday night they are there waving their signs. Various sayings, but most are ‘You’re going to die’ or something that’s negative. I do wonder if it works for them, but I doubt it.
February 13th, 2008 at 1:59 am
I dunno. God was pretty bold when he wiped out the whole earth with the flood because of sin. Then what about Soddom and Gomorrah? He sent a pretty bold statement on that one too. How about turning Lot’s wife into salt. lol I would say God makes his statements rather bluntly. ;) Truth hurts…
Now would I ever do this? NO way! :-P Unless there was scripture some where that specifically said to buy a big white van and put all kinds of blunt statements about going to hell on it then I might reconsider. However, I can’t seem to find anything close to that as an example of evangelism. Of course, one could argue CONTEXT as there were no vans back then but rather chariots. Hmm…Did you want a serious conversation about this?! Sorry. :O)
February 13th, 2008 at 7:37 am
I think the difference is Sarah is that those events were times when God judged the people. When Jesus “evangelized” he did it with love and grace. We have seen some families like Emily described at some fall festival type events in our area and all that seems to happen is a huge argument between them and some extremely liberal person. It turns into entertainment, but doesn’t do good for anything else. Oh, and Sarah I know you were being silly. ;-)
February 13th, 2008 at 7:40 am
In my opinion, we worship the Christ because we are thankful for His sacrifice on the cross. We do not serve Him, to stay out of Hell, but only out of absolute thankfulness for His awesome Love. If our motive was to get to Heaven, then we have missed the point. A truck decorated like that, is only sensational fear-mongering in my opinion, and that in itself is insulting to God. As His children, we have nothing to fear, who are we to ’scare’ someone else into believing? (as if we even could make someone else believe)
He has shown us such love, and for this person to portray God only in this light, is sending a very negative message. I would suggest that you either give the whole message, or witness by your walk of life. The prophets lived among the people when they spoke their ” Woe unto you’s”, and so people around them knew more than just what they heard. They also saw their daily walk and talk, and having only one glimpse on a busy highway of a message like this does not seem anywhere close to comparable. So, is it wrong? How about we call it mis-guided and leave it at that.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:54 am
We have a van here too that the owners seem to live in. The writing on it isn’t half as nice as the one pictured and it’s very old, dirty and dented.
I often see them parked late at night in my local Walmart lot. During the day they pamphlet cars in other lots or hand the flyers out at local events.
To me…….. they’re a couple of wackadoos and frankly, they scare me!
February 13th, 2008 at 9:14 am
I can understand how this van Godvertising can come across as highly offense to alot of people. I do know that with (some) people, this is an eye opener, a reason to reflect upon there life. You have to admit, it does make people think. Wether negativily or postivily upon there life and how there living. I wouldn’t mind taking the risk. Jesus took a risk preaching to the masses and he could and did many times get close to dieing before his intended time because, people didn’t like what he said. And he did preach heaven and hell. Some said he was crazy and wanted to kill him and, some laid down at his feet repenting of their sins.
What are you willing to do to reach the Lost?
February 13th, 2008 at 9:28 am
But Jesus spoke in love. Yes, he spoke the truth which isn’t always pleasant, but he presented it in love. He didn’t speak hatred toward sinners, he sat with them, ate with them. I don’t see how stuff like that and especially those awful signs I have seen are helpful. That reminds me of that church that protests everything… military funerals, etc. They are not doing anything to benefit the Kingdom of God in my opinion.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Thank you very much, Van Gang, for making us all look terrible. This is exactly why non-Christians think so little of us and rightly so if this is the image we’re going to portray. According to these guys, we are all hateful, lazy (too lazy to do real evangelism), and self-righteous. Jesus would have called them Pharisees. He had strong words about those types.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Michelle,
Wouldn’t it make more sense to use scripture instead of old cliches if you were tying to make someone “think about thier life”?
February 13th, 2008 at 10:38 am
“According to these guys, we are all hateful, lazy (too lazy to do real evangelism), and self-righteous. Jesus would have called them Pharisees. He had strong words about those types.”
Easy Ginger- lol
I am delurking to comment on this one and Ginger I understand your heart is good cuz I read your blog too; but…
We cannot make assumptions about the people doing the evangelism. We might disagree with the method but don’t think that everyone who evangelizes this way is the equivolent of a Pharisee. Personally, I know some men who choose to evangelize this way. If you knew them (my friends) you would say that they were deeply in love with Jesus and really did care about the lost. Some people who do this may be self-righteous; but others may just be trying to make others think.
Back to the original question…I cannot think of specific Scripture to support this type of evangelism. Most of what Jesus did was in love and wooing them and performing miracles.
That said, I wouldn’t say it’s always wrong. It does make people think. I know my friends get into discussions with people (on the street) all the time about the “contoversial” way they witness.
I personally would go for a different approach but then again there were prophets in the Bible who did some pretty strange things. They must have looked like freaks back then too. :)
February 13th, 2008 at 10:49 am
“What are you willing to do to reach the lost?”
Oh, I wish it were as easy as having my van painted with Christian (or not so Christian) slogans. If only it took so little effort to reach the lost.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Most people think Christians are weak or half-crazy, anyway. That van doesn’t help. For evangelism to be effective, there needs the be actual conversation and Scripture being shared. No one wants to talk to a looney.
I had a Christian sticker on my car in 1997. It was simple and non-offensive. One time I was at my oft-visited grocery store and the boy who carried out my groceries said “I’ve been wanting to talk to you!” when we approached my car. I was surprised, and asked “about what?” He had a question about the Bible and knew whoever owned that car was a Christian. Since he didn’t know any Christians, he’d been patiently waiting to meet the owner of the car and ask his question. Do you think that the same would have happened to the driver of that van?
February 13th, 2008 at 11:20 am
I actually just ran across someone using similar tactics. We were at the state capitol for a Homeschooling Legislative Day where we were trying to express to the state senators that we did not agree with a recently-introduced bill requiring regulation and testing of homeschoolers. And here is a guy wearing a sandwich board sign with those same things printed on them. I was standing there, trying not to stare, and thinking 1) who does he really think he is going to reach with such an impersonal and offensive sign, 2)he’s making us all look like idiots!, and 3) please tell me the guy taking a picture of him is not from the media!
Misguided, as Suzanne said, is a good word for it. I think his heart was probably right, but I don’t think his methods work. Of course, I don’t really care for tracts either, but that’s a whole other topic! I try really hard to look at it with Kingdom eyes and make sure it isn’t just my own embarrassment that’s bugging me. I don’t know. All I can say is that it really rubs me the wrong way & I would expect the same from the target audience.
February 13th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Amanda, thank you for understanding I was truly being silly above! I appreciated your thoughts on Jesus’ way of love and compassion. =)
lol “Godvertising” Now that’s a new terminology I have not heard yet!
I tend to agree, Katie, that IF one felt led to do something like this magnitude it might be better to keep it to God’s words rather than ours. He is so much better at it! =) There is scripture to support that His word does not return void…
Momma, I loved your testimony at the grocery store!
Jeff, are you sure you don’t want to have a message board rather than a blog? ;) It’s hard to not comment to everyone else that participates on your blog. Hope you don’t mind that it ends up that way.
February 13th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Angela, what I’m saying is that they make themselves *appear* self-righteous by their choice of slogans. I do think that’s what unbelievers will think. Do your friends actually have statements like “turn or burn” on their van?
February 13th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Ooh, Sarah–I think a message board would be a great idea! Jeff, can you do that?
As for the van–I don’t think it’s such a great idea. I think, like most of the rest of the responders so far, that the message is too severe. Not that the gospel isn’t extreme as it is, but Jesus always approached others in love, not with threats.
We have a lot of Mennonites in our area. While I know many of them and think they are such wonderful people, as a general rule, I always shake my head in wonder as I pass their homes. They have signs beside their mailboxes that say things like, “Sinners will die” — or things of that nature. And I have to wonder–while they are technically right, and there is even scripture to back the sign, IS THAT REALLY GOING TO REACH THE LOST? I don’t think so, in most cases, unless someone is so close to being saved and the sign just clinches it, or something. I dunno.
Even passing out tracts, to me, is a little iffy. I think it’s so much more effective to meet people face-to-face, in THEIR world, develop a relationship, meet their needs, and then you have a great opportunity to let them know you’re doing this because of Christ–and to model Christ in the process.
Sure, you don’t have as many “contacts” to report, however, when you consider how many of the tracts are actually read and people saved as a result of the tracts, in my opinion relational evangelism is much more effective.
Okay, I know that was too long–I’m wordy, I can’t help it. ;)
February 13th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I think that this person was focusing their preaching on the wrong crowd. It does come across as self-righteous. Are Christians any better than the rest of the world? Do Christians not sin as much as non-Christians? Are churches not full of sinners? I’m sure that this driver was trying to preach to the lost, but how hypocritical is that?
Throughout the New Testament, Jesus be-friends the sinners - those outside the Jewish customs and teaches them by being a model. He doesn’t slam them with offensive slogans. The people who he bashes are those within the Jewish system - the Sadduccees and Pharisees.
So, in using Jesus’s examples set forth in the Bible, we should see messages like this inside the churches and within the Sunday bulletins passed out at services, not on vans driving in city streets.
I wonder why there are messages such as “Jesus loves you.” “Christ is love.” And other cliches that talk about how Christ died for us, but there is not often a strong call for people to walk in truth and obedience WITHIN the church? Yet, to the world, these same Christians talk about how awful sin is. Do they really believe that their sins are less than the world’s sins? Why do Christians feel the responsibility to talk about others being Holy more than they feel need to BE Holy?
I think that this van stinks of self-righteousness… It reminds me of the parable of the Pharisee nd the tax collector in Luke 18. This driver clearly thinks he is better than the rest of the world and in being so is condemning himself. If he realized that he was as much a sinner as the next person, he would be more loving and less judgemental towards those he is brow-beating.
February 13th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I agree that things like that give Christians a bad name. I don’t think you should have to wear a cross, or a t-shirt, or a bracelet, or make your vehicle gaudy to let people know you are a Christian. I think you should instead live like Christ. I’m not saying Christ never got in someone’s face, but what did he do a whole lot of? Healing the sick, comforting, encouraging. As in everything, I think relationships are what is important. If you want someone to hear you and respect what you say, you need to have a relationship with them.
Want to do evangelism? Go mow your elderly neighbors yard. Send a card to someone who lost a loved one. Babysit so a busy mom can get a hair cut. Show hospitality to your neighbor with the dog that never stops barking. Those are the things that get someones attention. There is a song “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love”. I agree with that song. Show people you care. Then, they will want to ask YOU why you are helping them. Now that, IMO, is a good opportunity for evangelism.
February 13th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I hope this doesn’t offend too much, but here’s my take on this. First, I have to say: I think some of you are vastly underestimating the power a simple message can have.
An example: As some may know, the hamburger chain In-N-Out has bible verses printed on their products. Within the rim of your cup of soda, John 3:16 is printed. Other verses are printed on shake cups, wrappers and french fry baskets. I know someone who was saved because she was literally ready to kill herself, saw an empty In-N-Out cup laying on the ground and glimpsed the verse John 3:16. That saved her life, physically and spiritually. You may say, well at least In-N-Out is suble with their messaging, but that’s not really the point. It wasn’t a person or a relationship that affected that woman’s heart and soul. It was a written message on a piece of trash that God used! It could have been on a van on a freeway instead. Either way, it DID have an affect on someone.
I think it’s that there are too many messages on the van that makes it over-the-top because it’s just too much to take in at once. If they had simply said “Jesus is Coming”, that would’ve been great. I like simple messages like that, it can give a person something to think about. I like seeing the bill boards that simply say things like “Life is short. Eternity Isn’t. Love, God”.
I feel that this person probably feels a sense of urgency and their heart is in the right place. I can’t read all of the signs on the van because the picture is a bit blurry. What I can see: Jesus is Coming, Trust Jesus and God hates sin…those are all true. We are so afraid of offending anyone, especially in this country, that we are even willing to sugar coat the truth about eternity, hell and salvation. It is true that there are judgmental Christians out there that give us all a bad name. But Christ Himself said that the world will hate us because of Him. You should share the truth in the way that God leads you, and He obviously leads some of us to preach on street corners and others to writing books and others to singing, etc. to share our faith. It’s okay to say you would never be able to do something, but you might not want to be so harsh towards people that are bold in sharing the truth. In my studies as a Christian, I’ve learned that a healthy fear of God is GOOD. He’s in control of our eternity and I take that seriously. Yes, you should be afraid of burning in hell. I think that’s very, very scary and that’s one of many reasons I’m thankful beyond belief that I have salvation through Jesus Christ.
February 13th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I hope this doesn’t offend too much, but here’s my take on this. First, I have to say: I think sometimes we underestimate the power a simple message can have.
An example: As some may know, the hamburger chain In-N-Out has bible verses printed on their products. Within the rim of your cup of soda, John 3:16 is printed. Other verses are printed on shake cups, wrappers and french fry baskets. I know someone who was saved because she was literally ready to kill herself, saw an empty In-N-Out cup laying on the ground and glimpsed the verse John 3:16. That saved her life, physically and spiritually. You may say, well at least In-N-Out is subtle with their messaging, but that’s not really the point. It wasn’t a person or a relationship that affected that woman’s heart and soul. It was a written message on a piece of trash that God used! It could have been on a van on a freeway instead. Either way, it DID have an affect on someone.
I think it’s that there are too many messages on the van that makes it over-the-top because it’s just too much to take in at once. If they had simply said “Jesus is Coming”, that would’ve been great. I like simple messages like that, it can give a person something to think about. I like seeing the bill boards that simply say things like “Life is short. Eternity Isn’t. Love, God”.
I feel that this person probably feels a sense of urgency and their heart is in the right place. I can’t read all of the signs on the van because the picture is a bit blurry. What I can see: Jesus is Coming, Trust Jesus and God hates sin…those are all true. We are so afraid of offending anyone, especially in this country, that we are even willing to sugar coat the truth about eternity, hell and salvation. It is true that there are judgmental Christians out there that give us all a bad name. But Christ Himself said that the world will hate us because of Him. You should share the truth in the way that God leads you, and He obviously leads some of us to preach on street corners and others to writing books and others to singing, etc. to share our faith. It’s okay to say you would never be able to do something, but you might not want to be so harsh towards people that are bold in sharing the truth. In my studies as a Christian, I’ve learned that a healthy fear of God is GOOD. He’s in control of our eternity and I take that seriously. Yes, you should be afraid of burning in hell. I think that’s very, very scary and that’s one of many reasons I’m thankful beyond belief that I have salvation through Jesus Christ.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Well, I’m that infamous non-believer who thinks this is crazy.
I’m a pagan who enjoys reading Katie’s blog and can rarely avoid these provocative titles.
To me, its frightening to see such fervor. It just seems hostile.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:17 am
And the Lord is NOT hostile…even to non-believers. I don’t blame you for thinking that kind of hatred is frightening. It’s not God’s heart.
Sarah, Scripture says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.
That He isn’t willing for any to perish is a wonderful promise to me, as many in my family are unbelievers, and I pray that they will respond to His loving wooings. He is a righteous judge but also a loving Father.
That’s the message that Christians need to reach out to nonbelievers with. God doesn’t judge for fun…He doesn’t glory in human suffering…our refusal to turn to Him breaks His heart. He loves us dearly and only dam*ns to H*ll those who steadfastly refuse to accept His lovingkindness and provision for their sins…
Every Christian is a sinner that deserves to suffer in H*ll for eternity. Me, my children, my Pastor, everyone…we have simply realized our guilt and accepted the provision that Christ had already made. Each and every person on this earth can reconcile him or herself with the Lord with a simple prayer.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
I’m a whoever, you’re a whoever, salvation is a gift from a loving God!
February 14th, 2008 at 8:39 am
I think Tara is right that God’s word has the power to convict and bring people to Him. I also believe that a stray billboard here or there with a positive, loving, uplifting message–or one that is simply stated and makes you think, like the one you commented on, “Life is short. Eternity Isn’t. Love, God” could be life-changing for someone on the edge.
However, what I have a problem with is the scare tactics, the “Turn or Burn” type messages. I think that represents a vengeful God who is just waiting to take out His wrath on them. I doubt that will draw anyone into a TRUE relationship with Christ. It might scare them into trying to legalistically meet all the perceived requirements, but I doubt it would truly soften their heart.
I agree a fear of the Lord is healthy. But I think that more often than not, the FEAR needs to come AFTER the realization that God is a LOVING GOD. I’m not talking about sugar-coating the truth, I’m talking about truly reaching people with a message they can understand, rather than repelling them with threats. Sure some of those “threats” are in the Bible (not necessarily in the words we see here), but there are a lot of loving words and promises there, too.
Now, the John 3:16 on the cups, that is a loving, uplifting message. And that story about the suicidal girl just proves that God’s Word never returns void. Praise the Lord.
I’m just saying I think far more people would respond to a van with messages like, “God loves you.” “God wants to help you find peace.” “You can have peace in your mind, and love in your heart.” “You are SO loved by God!”
People are hungry for love. They are desperate for peace. Why don’t we introduce them to the source of these things, instead of presenting them with more messages about HATE. “Fire and Brimstone” type preaching nearly always repels unbelievers rather than drawing them to the Lord.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Lori, your last sentence is key - unbelievers must first feel God’s love before they will take his loving discipline. It is like raising children - we must reach out to them with love, so that when they stray we can direct them back onto the right path with loving discipline. This van is in no way reaching the unbelievers. And sadly, many unbelievers associate this sort of evangelism with Christianity in general and more specifically with God.
February 15th, 2008 at 11:39 am
All we can say is “Yikes”. It does send a message that Christians are nutty!
Well we should be drawing unbelievers to Christ by His word..”loving others”.
I thought back of how I was invited to church and how that led me to becoming a Christian. It was by a loving gal, around my age who by her example of being peaceful and loving to her husband and children. She invited me to church (I was new to a small town) and I heard the God’s word and that was the beginning. Of course there is more to the story, all good!