Review of Tell the Truth by Will Metzger
An Honest Critique
Introduction
Will Metzger is currently on the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship staff for sports ministry at the University of Delaware. He has been a campus minister here since 1965. His evangelism ministry has taken him to every continent, and he has witnessed to people from varied nationalities both on campus and through a church that he pastored.
Summary
Metzger seeks to redeem the God and grace-centered gospel that contemporary Christianity has virtually lost in his book Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People. His emphasis is specifically on the theological content of the gospel, for understanding God's active grace in salvation is the foundation for evangelism (15). In order to accomplish this goal, he details how and why the gospel must be presented wholly for the whole person, while wholly depending on grace, as this is shared by whole people.
He begins by arguing that the gospel Christians carry must be the whole gospel. He tells Christians what witnessing is and what it is not (24-27). Personal testimony is encouraged, but is not the gospel, and can only accompany the gospel (27-28). He further details five foundational principles for evangelism (30). Metzger then warns his readers about minimizing the gospel, instead of giving out the most information to the most people (33). He concludes this section by giving his readers five primary points of the gospel, hoping they will apply them to recover the gospel.
Metzger then argues that the whole gospel is for the whole person. He begins this section by warning his hearers of false and/or partial responses to the gospel, followed by a warning of too much or too little head knowledge, without correct response. Throughout this section, he details how and why Christians have lost the gospel; and what they must live, carry out, and accomplish in order to restore this truth. Metzger concludes this section warning his hearers of emotionalism and encouraging them to be emotional as a result of the gospel, instead of in place of it. He further argues that the gospel is powerful enough to redeem the whole person, including the mind, will, and emotions.
In Metzger's next section he purports that salvation is wholly by grace. He thus emphasizes that man's works cannot accomplish anything for his salvation (116). Following this, he reveals three myths that obscure grace, along with the top ten reasons Christians believe in free will. Metzger also clearly defines grace, encouraging his readers to embrace the Scripture's teaching on man's responsibility and God's sovereignty, without losing either. He concludes this section by arguing that worship is number one in the Christian life, while evangelism is number two. He argues that this is the Scriptural order, and thus, should be the church's order of emphasis as well.
Metzger's final section details that the gospel is offered by whole people. He begins this section telling Christians that when they share Christ as the only Way to God they will be accused of being intolerant or judgmental. He thus emphasizes the "completeness" of Christians as they take the gospel out into the world as total Christians, like Christ, in all areas of their lives. He then suggests various practical applications that will help Christians share the gospel. Furthermore, he encourages Christians to have God's glory in mind as they share, for their methods, conversation, etc. will be determined based on whether they have this proper goal or not. Metzger then concludes his book by offering several appendixes detailing suggested training materials, a "come home" gospel diagram, a study guide for those who seek to teach this book, and a brief article that argues in favor of "doctrine".
Critical Evaluation
Concerning whether or not Metzger succeeds in recovering the gospel, his arguments are engaging for anyone who believes the Bible is the Word of God. The reality is however in today's world, there are many who claim to be Christians that do not believe the Bible. This group of Christians will find little benefit from this book. Metzger however wrote this book for those who believe the Scriptures are authoritative; and those who are likeminded with him will receive the most benefit.
Based on this authority, and this writer's biased towards inerrancy, Metzger's arguments are well-formulated. He grounds them in the Protestant Bible. Even Metzger's suggested practical applications are founded on the Scriptures. For those who disagree with the Bible's absolute authority, they will at least be encouraged by his ministry experience. His faithfulness in ministry provides a foundation for those who exalt experience above the Scriptures.
Concerning whether or not Metzger's arguments are biblically faithful, this writer knows of nothing in this book that is unfaithful. Each argument is well-supported. For example, in Metzger's comparison of a "me-centered" gospel and a "God-centered" one, he clearly communicates what the prophets, apostles, and Christ communicated over two thousand years ago. He argues that theology is the basis for the gospel; and that this theology must come from God, namely His authoritative Word. This is clear logic, for if Christ is the author and perfecter of the faith of Christians (Heb. 12:2), then He should determine the definition of the gospel, as well as, the methodology used to carry it.
Another example is Metzger's dual emphasis upon man's responsibility and God's sovereignty in salvation. The Scriptures are clear concerning the church's responsibility to take the gospel with them as they go throughout this world, but Christians do not save anyone. Salvation is a work that God alone accomplishes. This gives Christians the freedom to faithfully share the gospel, while leaving the results up to God.
Another example is Metzger's emphasis upon worship as supreme. The salvation of humans cannot be God's supreme emphasis, for if it is exalted above Himself, then He is not God. Ultimately, God has created man for His own glory. The first and greatest commandment is clear concerning this. Christians become idolaters whenever they emphasize the salvation of man above the worship of God. Metzger clearly sees this problem and encourages Christians to put evangelism in its rightful place, which is second to worship. He does note however that evangelism and worship are related, for a person must be evangelized before he or she can worship; and yet, worship is supremely what God demands of His people. So, the two are related, with worship reigning supreme.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this writer believes Metzger has written one of the best one volume works on God-centered evangelism. His examination of varying views of evangelism, comparing and contrasting them with the Scriptures, leaves little room for disagreement among Christians. This work is much needed, for it is a clear and biblical emphasis on God's glory through evangelism. Furthermore, this writer believes this work is a more thorough and biblical combination than Share Jesus without Fear by William Faye, Concentric Circles of Concern by Oscar Thompson, Radically Unchurched: Who They are and how to reach Them by Alvin Reid, and possibly even How to Give away your Faith by Paul Little. Though Little's book comes in first or second, Reid's book follows, then Faye's, and Thompson's, while Metzger's book contains the strengths of each book: the emphasis on adjusting methods to reach the surrounding culture of Reid, the practical application and examples of evangelism by Faye, the emphasis on reaching the neighbor next door of Thompson, and the combination of all these by Little. Though each book is beneficial in its own way, Little's and Metzger's books contain each positive aspect, and should be read by all Christians with a ninth grade education or higher. If the church will simply restore its theological foundation for evangelism as suggested by Metzger, then evangelism will be placed in its rightful place, below the worship of God, and yet, the church will carry the whole gospel to the whole person depending wholly on sharing God's grace through whole Christians.
Published by Jared Moore
My name is Jared Moore. I'm currently the full time pastor of New Salem Baptist Church in Hustonville, KY. I'm married and have 2 children. I love Christ and continually trust in Him alone for my salvation. View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentFor another perspective on Metzger's book, see my sharply CRITICAL review of it posted on amazon.com, thanks.
- Charlie Michelsen, M.Div.
Hello, all.
It would appear Pastor Moore and myself disagree SHARPLY over the biblical support of Metzger's ironically-named book, Tell The Truth. Here is my review of Metzger's book, still posted at amazon.com:
1.0 out of 5 stars Obscure the Truth, November 30, 2006
By
Charles Michelsen
This review is from: Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People (Paperback)
"Let us be willing to test our spiritual experiences and evangelistic practices by Scripture," Pastor Will Metzger implores (51). Regrettably, Pastor Metzger was loathe to follow his own sound advice, opting instead to test his and the rest of Christendom's spiritual experiences and evangelistic practices by the standards laid down so long ago in the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646). And that is the main reason this latest revised and expanded edition of his ironically titled Tell The Truth (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2002) remains a wealth of hyper-Calvinistic misinformation.
Twenty-one years after the first printing of Tell The Truth (hereafter, TTT), Pastor Metzger remains deeply troubled that increasingly cynical Christendom is still attempting to evangelize the unbelieving world by showing only the attractive parts of the gospel message, and as a result are creating a vast army of God-damned (literally) pseudo-converts. Pastor Will, who began his career as a campus minister on the staff of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the University of Delaware the same year Sir Winston Churchill departed for his eternal reward (1965), believes a return to "biblical evangelism" can reverse the curse of "me-centered" evangelism (38). And so TTT attempts to remedy the current sorry situation by explaining fully the content of the gospel (part 1: pp. 23-86); insuring that gospel message converts intellect, emotions, and will, i.e. the entire soul (part 2: pp. 87-111); explaining proper Calvinistic soteriology (part 3: 112-158); and learning how to competently defend and communicate the faith (part 4: 159-207). If for some reason the reader feels the need to have the main points of TTT rehearsed and/or get some idea how they might be put to good use in the real world, Pastor Metzger offers appendixes A-D (pp. 208-259).
In Pastor Metzger's considered (read: Reformed Church tradition) opinion, the numerous miracles performed by 1st century A.D. evangelists in the book of Acts may be hanged, because there are really only two ways to proclaim Christ: "The airplane of Christian witness has two wings: our lives (conduct) and our lips (conversation)" (25). Strangely, Pastor Metzger offers no scriptural reference(s) to buttress this rather sweeping claim. The omission is particularly glaring given the bitterness of the complaint he voices in TTT's introductory chapter: "Why is there such reticence to examine the biblical basis for methods of witness (especially if they are the ones our church uses)?" (17). The irony is already palpable.
Just a few pages later Pastor Metzger folds and tucks away one of his two wings of Christian witness, observing that numerous religious persuasions and philosophies will also produce positive, observable changes in conduct capable of impressing others (28). But a few pages later the wing is reopened by Pastor Metzger, who now declares new converts may safely conclude they are truly saved when "they see the fruits of a changing life" (38). Fine.
Pastor Metzger next reminds that "in the book of Acts we see the apostles as teachers--reasoning, persuading, explaining--involved in all sorts of teaching activity in order to communicate as much truth as possible to nonbelievers" (34). Unfortunately Pastor Metzger omits the fact that secularists, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and numerous other cult leaders are also actively engaged as teachers--reasoning, persuading, explaining--involved in all sorts of teaching activity in order to communicate as much "truth" as possible to nonbelievers. The all-important difference is that unlike these false witnesses of God, the apostles were able to perform many wonders and signs (Acts 2:43). Those signs and wonders authenticated the apostles' divine bona fides, just as they had previously authenticated Jesus Christ's divine bona fides, and the divine bona fides of the true prophets' of the OT before him.
(Where exactly in the NT did Pastor Metzger read that God would go into semi-retirement immediately after giving the apostle John a revelation of the future? Where?)
Pastor Metzger spends the rest of part one differentiating between "me-centered evangelism," i.e., spreading Christianity by emphasizing the many personal benefits that will attend salvation, and "biblical evangelism," i.e. five-point Calvinism. "Conversion is both a turning from and a turning toward" Pastor Metzger insists (67-68). "Both law and love are basic ingredients in telling the gospel story" Pastor M. admonishes (71). Consciences need to be pricked. People must be made to understand that they do not have proprietary rights to their own lives, God does.
Pastor M. is not keen on encouraging new converts to make a public confession of their faith, ala Romans 10:9-10. He thinks they should be left alone to meditate on Scriptures like Isaiah 53, Psalm 51, and Galatians 2:20 (76). Apparently never having read Acts 16:31 or Philippians 2:11, Pastor M. declares "There is not one exhortation in Scripture to `accept Christ as Lord,'" (77).
On page 79 Pastor M. lists three ways to know you are saved. The first is when you "trust in the promises of God as being promises to you." The second is "a change in your attitude and actions corresponding to the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5) and the marks of salvation (1 Jn)" (Pastor M. ignores his earlier observation that New Agers can also experience profound attitude changes). The third assurance of salvation is "the inner witness of God's Spirit to your spirit." Pastor M. does not unpack that statement, leaving it to the reader to exegete what he will from it. By marked contrast, the gospel writer Mark recorded Jesus' decidedly different criteria for determining who is saved:
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. (16:17-18).
Part two tries to distinguish professors of Christianity from possessors of same in order to increase more of the latter. Conversion is a process, not an event Pastor M. cautions. Christianity is not a self improvement plan; it is God's method for restoring you to fellowship with Him. Converts need "to ask God for faith," since "they are not choosing to be saved" (91). Pastor M. then presents a short, biased analysis of the age-old Arminian-Calvinism debate on soteriology, concluding that the five points of Calvinism are "orthodox theology ... in need of further filling out" (109).
Part three, "Wholly by Grace," is largely a continuation of the Calvinist rant begun in part two. Pastor M. admits the arbitrary election of a relative handful to heaven and the overwhelming majority to hell is not fair, but hey, God is sovereign, and He would have been justified to throw everyone in hell, not just almost everyone. Humanity's free will has been disabled by sin, and now it cannot choose anything but sin (if that is true, and doing right is not an option, how could sin then be termed a "choice?"). "God hides the truth from some people. He doesn't reveal himself or Jesus to them. Why (Lk 10:21-22)?" (146). Pastor M. misinterprets that passage in Luke to mean intelligent people are tricked into unbelief by a vengeful or capricious God, as opposed to them being deserving victims of their own misplaced self-confidence.
Part four begins by enumerating some of the difficulties philosophical pluralism creates for successful evangelism. Pastor M. defends Christian exclusivity by referring to John 14:6: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Pastor M. ignores the fact that Jesus' comments were offered to his own disciples at a private gathering, not addressed to the masses in general during a public sermon.
Pastor M. observes all religious faiths save Christianity require its adherents "to do something" (165). Pastor M. apparently has not noticed that repenting, confessing, baptizing, trusting, etc., are verbs.
Pastor M. believes the evangelistic value of Christian apologetics is limited. "God's chosen instrument in conversion is His Word, not our reasoning ability" (169). In that case we can only pity that great swath of humanity that was never taught how to read, or could never afford to purchase a copy of Scripture, or never had the Word translated into their native tongue.
Pastor M. soon changes his mind about God's chosen instrument in conversion. "Prayer for others is the supreme God ordained method in evangelism" (178) As usual, Pastor M. offers no scriptural support for his emphatic, sweeping statement. He goes on to say "evangelism is asking the right questions" (189), but once again cites no NT anecdote to support his contention. Besides asking all the right questions, the Christian evangelist also needs to make sure an unbeliever understands "the impossibility of ... exercising faith on their own" (203). Fine.
In summary, Tell The Truth proffers a pneumatology, a soteriology, and a strategy for evangelism that seems alien to those described in the book of Acts. When all is said and done, TTT is hoisted by its own petard: "... to be unwilling to evaluate our evangelism in the light of the Bible is to not take Scripture seriously" (19).