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Evangelism and social action

Matthias Media, by Chester and Payne, $2.50

Reviewed by Joshua Maule

07 Mar 2011

9:56am Monday, 7th March 2011  

There's a lot to like about the latest Matthias Media MiniZine on the well-trodden topic of Evangelism and Social Action. The zine acts as a brief, cold shower for those involved in fiery debates on the topic. Given the sheer volume of stuff written on the subject in recent times, many Christians may be tired of the "debate". Thus the zine threatens not to be read very widely. I hope this isn't the case.

The first article by ex-Tear Fund research and policy director, Tim Chester, canvasses the Bible's call to both evangelism and social action. Chester's use of four typical characters who show up in churches and advocate for four different positions keeps the essay from becoming an abstract theological musing and ensures it is grounded in pastoral life.

The second article by Chester and Tony Payne, discusses the relationship between the two called-for activities. When speaking about gospel proclamation they prefer descriptions including "central", "at the heart of" and "commitment to" over "priority", which wrongly implies "it does not matter if we have no time for social action".

Under the heading "Evangelism and social action are inseparable", the writers highlight how fraught the conversation is: "Evangelism alone might make sense in the lecture room. It may even just about make sense in a middle-class suburb. But it makes no sense at all when working among the poor."

While wealthy Christians might sit back and chew over the "priority" of evangelism over social action, those working in Africa's slums are too often both evangelising and caring for the hungry to bother with the debate. They have already worked out the answer.

However, I'd recommend the zine to anyone needing to reorient theirs or their church's attitude to both activities desired by God.