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What Is Preevangelism and How Does It Prepare Hearts for the Gospel?

What Is Preevangelism and Why Is It Necessary?


Preevangelism is the groundwork laid before sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, designed to prepare individuals to receive the message of salvation. It involves clearing intellectual, emotional, and moral obstacles that might hinder a person from hearing the Gospel with an open heart. Preevangelism does not itself proclaim the Gospel, but it lays the foundation upon which evangelism can take place. It is a critical step because in many cases, people are not ready to hear the Gospel immediately; they must first have their misunderstandings, objections, or misconceptions addressed.


In modern society, secular worldviews, skepticism, and false beliefs often dominate people's minds. Therefore, before presenting the message of salvation, it is often necessary to engage in preevangelism to address the cultural and intellectual barriers that might prevent a clear reception of the Gospel. The apostle Paul modeled a form of preevangelism in Acts 17 when he addressed the philosophers in Athens. Before proclaiming Christ, Paul spoke to their cultural context, pointing out their worship of an “unknown god” and laying the groundwork for the revelation of the true God: "For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you" (Acts 17:23, UASV).


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Preevangelism also serves to demonstrate that faith in God is not an irrational leap but is based on reason, truth, and evidence. This is important in cultures that value intellectual rigor and may perceive Christianity as a mere superstition. In such contexts, apologetic engagement can serve as preevangelism, showing that Christianity has a reasonable foundation and encouraging a person to open their heart to the truth of the Gospel. As Peter advised, Christians must be prepared to "make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15, UASV).



How Does Preevangelism Address the Barriers to Faith?


One of the primary purposes of preevangelism is to remove the intellectual and emotional barriers that prevent individuals from considering the claims of Christianity seriously. These barriers can take many forms: doubts about God's existence, the problem of suffering and evil, misconceptions about the Bible, or negative experiences with religious institutions. Addressing these issues is crucial because they can cloud a person’s understanding and prevent them from genuinely hearing the Gospel message.


For example, many people are deeply affected by the problem of evil, questioning how a loving and all-powerful God can allow suffering in the world. Without addressing this question in preevangelism, a person may be too distracted by this issue to consider the claims of Christ. Christian apologetics plays a vital role in addressing such concerns by providing biblical and reasoned answers. The Bible affirms that evil entered the world through human sin (Romans 5:12) and that Jehovah allows suffering temporarily to demonstrate the consequences of human rebellion against His sovereignty. Yet, God's ultimate plan involves the eradication of evil and the restoration of righteousness through Jesus Christ (Revelation 21:4). By addressing such concerns, preevangelism clears the path for an individual to more fully appreciate the Gospel’s message of redemption.


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In addition to intellectual barriers, emotional barriers such as personal hurt, bitterness, or misconceptions about Christianity can also block the message. Many people have had negative experiences with Christians or church institutions, leading them to reject Christianity without ever hearing the true Gospel. Preevangelism helps by demonstrating the love, humility, and compassion that reflect the heart of Christ. As Paul exhorts in Colossians 4:5-6, "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person" (UASV). Gracious engagement with others can break down emotional barriers, allowing the truth of the Gospel to be heard without the interference of preconceived negative notions.



What Role Does Apologetics Play in Preevangelism?


Apologetics, the reasoned defense of the Christian faith, is often an essential element of preevangelism. It helps to dismantle misconceptions, doubts, and objections that prevent someone from considering the Gospel. By addressing these issues through reason, evidence, and biblical truth, apologetics prepares a person’s heart and mind for the message of salvation. While apologetics alone does not bring someone to faith, it can clear the path for the Holy Spirit to work through the Word of God.


One of the main apologetic tools in preevangelism is the cosmological argument, which demonstrates that the universe must have a cause. This argument can help address the common objection that science has disproven the need for God. By pointing out that everything that exists has a cause and that the universe itself requires a cause, apologists guide individuals toward the biblical truth that "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1, UASV). This foundational argument can help an individual move past doubts about the necessity of a Creator, making them more open to the idea of a personal God who desires a relationship with them.


In addition to the cosmological argument, the teleological argument points to the design and order in the universe, suggesting that such complexity and precision require a Designer. The apostle Paul touched on this principle in Romans 1:20 when he wrote, "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made" (UASV). By using this type of argument, preevangelism can help individuals recognize that the world around them points to a purposeful Creator rather than to random chance. Once a person acknowledges the existence of God, they are more likely to consider the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.


Another common barrier that apologetics addresses in preevangelism is the reliability of the Bible. Many people, influenced by secular skepticism, question whether the Bible can be trusted as an accurate and authoritative source of truth. Apologetics demonstrates that the Bible is not only historically reliable but also divinely inspired. For instance, the preservation of biblical manuscripts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, provides evidence that the biblical text has been faithfully transmitted over centuries. Moreover, fulfilled prophecy, such as the detailed predictions concerning the coming Messiah (Isaiah 53; Micah 5:2), demonstrates the divine nature of Scripture. The apostle Paul affirmed the inspiration of Scripture, stating, "All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16, UASV). By establishing the trustworthiness of the Bible, preevangelism helps to remove doubts and encourages people to explore the Gospel with an open heart.



How Does Preevangelism Address Worldview Challenges?


Another critical aspect of preevangelism is engaging with the various worldviews that dominate modern culture. Worldviews are the lenses through which individuals interpret life, reality, and morality, and they significantly shape how a person responds to the message of the Gospel. In preevangelism, it is important to understand and challenge non-biblical worldviews while presenting the biblical worldview as the true and coherent framework for understanding the world.


One of the dominant worldviews in contemporary culture is secular humanism, which holds that human beings are the ultimate authority and that truth and morality are relative. This worldview denies the existence of an absolute moral lawgiver, instead claiming that human reason and experience are sufficient for determining right and wrong. However, preevangelism can challenge this view by pointing out the inconsistencies and weaknesses inherent in moral relativism. Without an objective standard of morality, there can be no ultimate basis for distinguishing between right and wrong, justice and injustice. The Bible, on the other hand, provides a coherent explanation for morality, grounded in the character of God. Romans 2:15 teaches that God has written His law on the hearts of all people, giving them an innate sense of right and wrong. By challenging secular humanism in this way, preevangelism helps people recognize the need for a higher moral authority and prepares them to accept the Gospel.


Another prevalent worldview that preevangelism must address is materialism, the belief that only physical matter exists and that there is no spiritual reality or afterlife. Materialism leads to the conclusion that life is ultimately purposeless, as it denies any existence beyond the physical realm. Christian preevangelism can counter this by pointing to the inherent longing for meaning and purpose that exists in every human being, a longing that cannot be satisfied by materialism. Ecclesiastes 3:11 states that God "has set eternity in their heart" (UASV), indicating that humans have an innate awareness of a spiritual reality beyond this life. By engaging with the worldview of materialism, preevangelism helps individuals see the emptiness of a life without God and opens the door for them to seek answers in the Gospel.


Preevangelism also engages with the relativism that permeates much of modern thought. Relativism teaches that truth is subjective and that what is true for one person may not be true for another. This worldview is in direct opposition to the biblical teaching that truth is absolute and grounded in the nature of God. Jesus declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6, UASV). By affirming that truth is found in the person of Jesus Christ, preevangelism challenges relativism and presents the biblical worldview as the only consistent and coherent explanation for reality.



How Does Preevangelism Prepare the Heart for the Gospel?


The ultimate goal of preevangelism is to prepare the heart to receive the Gospel message. It is important to remember that while intellectual and emotional barriers can be addressed through reasoned argument and biblical truth, it is the Holy Spirit who convicts the heart of sin and leads a person to repentance. Preevangelism serves to remove distractions and objections, allowing the message of the cross to be heard more clearly.


In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes different types of soil representing the conditions of the heart (Matthew 13:1-23). Some hearts are hardened, unable to receive the seed of the Gospel. Others are shallow or distracted, making it difficult for the Word to take root. However, preevangelism seeks to cultivate the soil of the heart, removing rocks and weeds so that the seed of the Gospel can grow and bear fruit. This involves not only addressing intellectual and emotional objections but also demonstrating the love and character of Christ in personal interactions.


Preevangelism also involves prayer, as it is ultimately God who prepares the heart to receive His Word. Christians are called to pray for those they seek to reach, asking God to soften hearts and open minds. In Colossians 4:3, Paul asks the church to pray that "God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ" (UASV). Prayer is an essential component of preevangelism, as it acknowledges that while believers can present the truth, it is God who brings about spiritual transformation.


Another aspect of preparing the heart through preevangelism is demonstrating genuine love and compassion. Jesus commanded His followers to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39, UASV), and it is often through acts of love and kindness that people are drawn to the message of the Gospel. By living out the teachings of Christ, Christians can soften the hearts of those around them, making them more receptive to the truth. As Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35, UASV).



What Are Some Practical Steps for Engaging in Preevangelism?


While preevangelism is a vital component of sharing the Gospel, it requires intentionality and wisdom. Christians must be equipped to engage with the intellectual, emotional, and cultural challenges of the modern world while remaining faithful to biblical truth. One of the first practical steps in preevangelism is to develop a solid understanding of the Christian faith and the common objections raised against it. The apostle Peter exhorts believers to "always be ready to make a defense" (1 Peter 3:15, UASV), which means that Christians must study Scripture and be prepared to answer questions about their faith.


In addition to intellectual preparation, Christians must also cultivate a heart of compassion and humility. Preevangelism is not about winning arguments but about preparing hearts to hear the truth. As Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:24-25, "And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth" (UASV). By engaging with others in a spirit of love and humility, Christians can effectively practice preevangelism and open the door for the message of the Gospel.


Engaging in preevangelism also requires discernment. Not every situation calls for an intellectual argument; sometimes, it is more appropriate to listen and show compassion. Preevangelism involves understanding where a person is in their spiritual journey and addressing their specific concerns. Some may need answers to intellectual questions, while others may be struggling with emotional wounds. By listening carefully and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Christians can meet people where they are and help them take the next step toward faith in Christ.



About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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