True evangelism, Asahel Nttleton, and the Doctrines of Grace

I was reading the other day about the Second Great Awakening during the 19th century and two key figures in that move of God: Charles Finney and Asahel Nettleton. Ironically, few have heard of Nettleton except for his opposition to Finney. Finney was very Arminian (among other things!) in his theology while Nettleton was Reformed. What is fascinating to me is the long-term results of their ministries. History records that while Finney had thousands of converts, they were more like the converts of the mass and event centered evangelism of our day-a large amount never stayed in the church and fell away. Yet, Nettleton's converts had a remarkable reputation of remaining faithful over time and proving themselves to be true converts. The ratio of his converts to the population of America (about nine million) in his time is amazing. It has been said based upon eyewitness reports that through his preaching over 25,000-30,000 came to Christ. Thirty years later, most of these were still walking with the Lord!

I have found myself over the years feeling very skeptical when I hear the reports over the thousands of conversions, many healings, etc. I find myself asking the question, were they really converted or healed? Are we so enamored with our success that we report things in order to elevate our ministries or our churches? Are these thousands lives really changed? Do we have a strong or inadequate theology of conversion? Are the communities and neighborhoods changed as a result of their supposed conversions? Is the emperor naked and no one is saying anything?

Nettleton's system of beliefs may be summarized as follows. Man, being totally depraved in nature and by choice, cannot save himself. By God's grace, some have been chosen unto eternal life. For those chosen by God (the elect), Jesus provided a penal, substitutionary atonement for their sins on the cross. The elect, for whom alone Jesus died, will be drawn by the triumphant grace of God to repentance and saving faith in Christ. They will be kept by God unto eternal salvation. Human beings must be divinely regenerated, or have their sinful nature negated, before they can repent and trust Christ for salvation.

In Nettleton's system, human ability to respond at every stage of salvation comes from a sovereign act of God. Unless God moves, humans remain hopelessly lost. Asahel Nettleton preached strong on grace, faith, repentance, and the finished work of Christ on the cross. He trusted that it was God who saves mightily and effectively. He knew that an uncompromising presentation of the cross will be foolishness and an offense to those who are perishing, but to those whom God opens their eyes (2 Cor.4:4)there will come powerful and lasting salvation!

The methodology of Nettleton matched his theology. He used preaching as a means of bringing sinners to conviction of their sinfulness. He bathed all evangelistic efforts in fervent, humble prayer to the God who alone can effect the regeneration of a lost person. For those who responded to a call for the awakened to meet outside stated services, Nettleton offered inquiry meetings, which were essentially group evangelistic counseling sessions. At these meetings, individuals could receive personal assistance without public pressure to respond.

I am convinced that what a person, church, or denomination believes about salvation has a direct relationship on the evangelism they practice, i.e. evangelistic methodology. A sound doctrine of salvation should produce a sound practice of evangelism.

What this challenges me to do is several things. First, to pray for God's sovereign purposes to be fulfilled in my city, church, and ministry and to pray for revival. Secondly, it reminds me to be faithful to teach , commend, and preach the truth of God's Word uncompromisingly. Thirdly, it means that I look for real God honoring fruit and not self exalting, self exulting shallow results that look good but are empty of any real worth and value. Fourth, I trust that God's word, the Holy Spirit, and faithful preaching in dependence on God will bring in His elect. Nettleton and a host of others demonstrates that truth.

Striving for faithful and fruitful labor to the bringing in of His elect and to the glory of Jesus Christ,
Pastor Bill