Effortless Impact: Religious Fanatics on the U of A Campus
I should start by saying I applaud the courage and efforts of those attempting to reach students at the U of A for Christ. They are doing something. That is more some Christians can say about their own lives. Though I find myself getting frustrated by their methods, I don't want this to sound like the everyday criticisms we hear about Brother Jed and the Faith Church members that stop students for a "survey".
While walking to my first class today, I was stopped by three older men, one near the University gate, one in front of Social Sciences and one in front of the Chemistry building, where my class is. They were handing out small, green Bibles in the New King James Version. The NKJV is a revised version of the King James Version. First released in 1611, it is far from modern English. Some Christians prefer to only read from KJV or NKJV, believing it to be closer to the original or earlier translations of the Bible. I think it is most helpful to find a translation easy for you to understand and cross reference among other versions to obtain the full sense and meaning of each passage. Under the assumption that the "best" translation of the Bible is the one that works best for you, I wonder how many college students would be interested in the New King James Version of the Bible if they are interested in taking a Bible from a stranger at all.
At the U of A, Christians are not the only group handing out flyers, taking surveys, or stopping students who are potentially interested in their programs. However, what Christians need to be aware of is that they are the most scrutinized of the groups on campus trying to get their message out. I don't hear students complain about the Snowboarding Club or the Scholarship Universe handing out flyers or pens. I hear students complaining about the abortion displays on the mall and the times when they are stopped for a salvation survey on the way to class. So, though I am in no place to judge, I think Christians on campus need to be more aware of the impact they are actually making within the student body.
I would also like to offer a more realistic and I believe Christ-like solution to spreading the gospel among university students. Whether someone hands me a flyer about a sale in the Student Union, a concert this weekend, or my eternal salvation, a piece of paper from a stranger is relatively meaningless. I may or may not read it and will most likely throw it away. However, if my friend, roommate, or family member shares something with me like a sale, a concert, or a new approach to religion, I am much more apt to at least listen to and respect what they have to say. Though Jesus spoke to crowds and healed people he just met, the bulk of His ministry was spent with twelve men. He taught them, cared for them, and most importantly simply lived life with them. It was this group of men that held the responsibility for building the first century church. It is largely due to their efforts that the modern day Church even exists. Jesus invested in twelve men who established relationships with other men and church leaders to carry the words of Jesus to the world. Peter and Paul didn't hand out Bibles on street corners. They followed the command of Christ to make disciples of all nations. They wrote letters to church leaders and made the gospel known through personal relationships. This is how I propose we impact the U of A, Tucson, and the world.
The men handing out Bibles on campus today may go home feeling like they stepped out of their comfort zone and made a difference. And perhaps in the lives of some students they did just that. I have already heard from a few people that these men have brightened their day. I am definitely not saying what any of these groups are doing is wrong. However, I am challenging Christians to make a bit more effort. I think every student has the right to say something along the lines of, "Brother Jed doesn't know me. How can he tell me that my actions will lead me to eternal damnation?” Building relationships takes much more from a person than yelling at them as they walk by or asking them four questions in a survey. Imagine what this approach causes people to think. But how much more will students respect Christians when they are no longer annoying strangers but loving friends?
To the Bible distributors, to the surveyors from Faith, to the people behind the abortion protests, to Brother Jed, to all the Christians who sit quietly next to people in class everyday never making any attempt at friendship: God deserves more than our minimal effort and His glory needs to be seen on our campus and throughout the world. You are not doing justice to the gospel. Let us make disciples and build relationships. Let us genuinely love and care for the students we encounter rather than pissing them off as they walk by. Let us be real rather than hiding behind surveys and megaphones. Let us step up and really follow the example of the Christ we are proclaiming.
New International Version (©1984)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
King James Bible
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
World English Bible
Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
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