Jean, just for clarity, that was my comment, as the compiler of the post, not Tony’s. Sorry I was not clearer. And when I recommend Grudem or pass on a copy of some material, I always mention what I said about the book’s approach.

When I started leading bible study groups I was given this list of books to read (I understand it was originally from Archie Poulos but was given to me by Al Stewart) and I was told to read them in this order:-

1. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God - J Packer.
2.The Cross of Christ - John Stott.
3. How Long O Lord. - Don Carson
4. Everlasting God - DB Knox
5. Sent by Jesus - DB Knox
6. According to Plan - Graeme Goldsworthy
7. Gospel & Kingdom - Graeme Goldsworthy

It was really helpful, and the order was helpful to.

Tony,
JC Ryle ‘Holiness’!! One of my all time favourites. I am reading his ‘Practical Religion’ at the moment. A very yellow and falling apart copy - it was one of the first, if not the first, christian book I ever bought and read as a teenager.
Plan to read the equally aged ‘Holiness’ next.
What a bishop!
Di
PS ‘Prayer and the Voice of God’ and ‘Guidance and the Voice of God’ - so helpful - real stand outs for me.

Hi Craig

‘Ignore most’. That does sound a bit off-handed, doesn’t it?

What I meant was that, like many books of this type emanating from the US, the biblical content of the book is quite weak. Whenever Hybels tries to anchor or justify what he’s saying in the text of Scripture, you end up wishing he’d just told another anecdote. And some of his theological weaknesses (to do with God talking to him and telling him what to do next, for example) keep coming out as well.

But the big point he makes is very well made: that we need to get out of our Christian comfort zone, walk across the room, and just TALK to people (which leads to talking to them about Jesus).

And the stories he tells of himself and others doing just this are a great encouragement.

It’s a book to stir your heart for the lost, and get you walking across the room to talk to people. That’s its strength.

In terms of what personal evangelism is, why and how we do it, I still think there is no substitute for Chappo’s classic “Know and Tell the Gospel”. It supplies all that the Hybels book is lacking.

Put the two together and you have a powerful cocktail.

TP