Brandan Kraft argues that modern evangelicalism's emphasis on "soul winning" and proselytizing contradicts biblical evangelism, which simply means announcing the good news that Christ has already redeemed His people (Matthew 1:21; Ephesians 1:6). He contends that contemporary evangelical methods rest on false presuppositions—that salvation requires individual conversion and that all people are redeemable—and often employ manipulative tactics (fear, emotional appeals, community enticement) to create false converts rather than proclaim sovereign grace. From a free grace predestinarian perspective, Kraft maintains that God's elect, whose names are written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world (Revelation 17:8), will naturally respond to the Gospel through the Father's will (Romans 10:15) without human coercion, making traditional evangelistic methods both unscriptural and unnecessary.
What does the Bible say about evangelism?
The Bible presents evangelism as proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and the good news of salvation, which is rooted in God's actions, not human decisions.
Ephesians 1:6, Matthew 1:21, Romans 10:15
How do we know the doctrine of predestination is true?
The doctrine of predestination is supported by Scripture which teaches that God chose His people before the foundation of the world.
Ephesians 1:4-5, Revelation 17:8
Why is understanding grace important for Christians?
Understanding grace is crucial for Christians as it highlights the total dependence on God's unearned favor for salvation.
Titus 3:5, Romans 5:1-2
As a person who is known as a hyper free grace predestinarian, the most common accusation I face is the lie that my pristine grace friends and I are anti-evangelical. It's my opinion that this charge is a mischaracterization of me due to a misunderstanding of evangelism. Those who often fling this accusation against me often have not taken the time to dialog with me about my beliefs or offer to sit down and study the topic of evangelism with me or my other free grace friends. It seems they are content to cast reproach upon us from their lofty "evangelical" position of authority as pastors, "missionaries", and other unscriptural "leadership positions."
What is the basis for these attacks? I propose that it all stems from an unscriptural understanding of evangelism. Today, evangelism is equated with "soul winning" and an elaborate "plan of salvation." Modern "evangelists" believe that they have a duty to get men converted to their version of what they call christianity. This form of proselytizing is disastrous because I believe it's a practice of creating false converts, not genuine.
I do not intend to deal with the vast majority of religionists that condition salvation on the faith of the individual - those who preach for a free will decision. These are out and out pelagian; and history, as well as scripture has clearly condemned these movements as anti-christ. I intend to deal with the true Arminians of today and they are sometimes known as "reformed evangelicals" or "evangelical calvinists". Their religion is no less flesh pleasing than that of their pelagian brothers. The only difference is they deceptively hide their core beliefs with "sovereign grace" language. I realize that not all who identify as evangelical calvinists are this way, but I've met several, as I came out of one of their churches. In fact, when I was in my mid-twenties, I was kicked out of the church and their theological training school when they discovered that I loved the truth of sovereign grace and intended to speak about it every opportunity I was given. Their doctrines are not believed and usually only lip service is given to them. Instead, their true religion is just making converts so more and more money can be added to their coffers and support their leaders in a lavish lifestyle at the top of the pyramid.
Getting right to the point, the evangelism of modern day religion is not scriptural! It is not evangelism. Its basis is found in a false presupposition and is rooted in deceitfulness. Its presuppositions are many, but they can be summed up neatly in two premises. First of all, it proposes that salvation is found in conversion. Its second premise is that all men are redeemable. The purpose of modern day evangelism is to "save souls." If its premises are wrong, then it is completely wrong in all ways. If its purpose is wrong, then its methods are wrong and it is not to the "praise of the glory of His grace." (Eph. 1:6)
The true scriptural meaning of evangelism is "announcing good news." That's it! Do you get it? It's that simple. It means to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. I can't stay quiet about it! The Gospel is Christ has already redeemed His people. Those that believe were already saved by Christ in His earthly ministry, death, and resurrection (Mat 1:21). I love the Gospel, and I tell it to everyone who will listen to me. It truly is good news! The Gospel brings such joy to my heart that if I was forced to be quiet about it, I think I would burst. But you won't see me giving out "free offers", proselytizing, or preaching this news in the hopes of "saving a soul." I rest confidently that God has His sheep out there in the world, and they will rejoice in these "glad tidings" (Rom 10:15) at the appropriate time. I will not resort to the terrors of hell, wrath, and condemnation in order to get people converted. I won't "love bomb" an individual and try to convince them how wonderful our "community" and "social activity" is in order to bring them into the church. I am content to simply proclaim that Christ has always loved His people and that He died for them as their surety. God's people do not need to be hoodwinked, coerced, or scared into a Gospel profession.
God's people have had their names written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. Those who won't believe the Gospel have never had their name written in the book of life from the foundation of the world (Rev. 17:8). If a person's name is not written in this book, then no amount of Gospel preaching is going to put it there for them. "Deciding" to believe this message won't help them either as it's far too late for them to be saved now. God's people will be brought to faith in Christ because it is the Father's will. It's not a decision! It's something they can't even prevent!
I can hear the objectors now, "but Brandan, you're going to hurt evangelistic zeal." "Oh, but Brandan, what motivation will we have?" These objections are unscriptural, but that's not going to stop the flesh pleasers. "Who cares if the hyper free gracers are theologically correct if more souls are saved by our methods!"
I don't care if men think I'm not evangelistic and don't believe in preaching the Gospel. I'll continue to proclaim God's free and sovereign grace unstained by the will of men. I LOVE PRISTINE GRACE! And I'll tell it to everyone who will listen. I hope only to glorify and praise my Lord who has redeemed His people. Christ and His Gospel of an accomplished salvation is my joy.
Grace and Peace,
Brandan
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