Book Review: “Evanglism in the Early Church” by Michael Green
If we went for a coffee today, maybe we could talk about this book I just finished reading.
How did I get this book?
I don’t remember the exact sequence, which came first, whether I saw the title or heard about the author.
Let’s say I spotted the title first. It was in a pile of donated books from the Upper Room at Calvary in Ottawa. The title piqued my interest. I heard David Guzik a few years ago say “We’ve been praying for a return to the New Testament church, and now we have a New Testament culture that we are ministering in.” He was saying that our culture is sliding back into paganism. So, I was curious what evangelism looked like in those early centuries, and of course, seeing what parallels would be to our times.
And, then, I was in a conversation with my friend George Sinclair. He pastors an Anglican Church in Ottawa and remarked about having a meal at a restaurant with Michael Green. During the prayer, the waitress interrupted them not realizing that they were praying. George said that Michael didn’t miss a beat and said to the waitress… “That’s okay dear, we were just praying and what could we pray for you?” Or, something to that effect. Apparently, Michael Green made evangelism seem effortless.
So, that’s why I decided to add the book to my pile. I’ve had it for a couple of years, and a month ago decided to crack it open.
What’s it about?
Published in 1970 in England, this is a comprehensive review of evanglism in the first couple of centuries. He organizes the material as follows:
Pathways for Evanglism - describing the infrastructure and cultural mores that facilitated evangelism.
Obstacles to Evangelism - it wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows, there was effort and persistence required as well.
The Evangel - What was their message? How did they express it?
Evangelizing the Jews - What were the unique aspects of winning converts among Jesus’s people.
Evangelizing the Gentiles - A very different situation than the Jews, and he describes what it was like in the villages and the palaces.
Conversion - what did that look like? What was required of people? In what ways did they evidence their belief in Christ?
The Evangelists - Who were the people that spread the gospel? What were their lives like? What kind of people were they?
Evangelistic Methods - How did they go about doing it?
Evangelistic Motives - What motivated them to share the gospel?
Evangelistic Strategy - Did they have a strategy? Was it random? In what ways did things change after Paul?
Epilogue - a summary with a look towards how it could be helpful today.
What did I think?
I enjoyed it. It was well done, well written, well organized and well researched. It felt like a textbook. Mr Green was the principal of St. John’s College in Nottingham when this was published. It piqued my interest into reading Justin Martyr, especially his dialogue with Trypho.
Although I enjoyed it and benefitted from it, it took me a long time to finish. I had two issues. First, every time I sat down to read, I would get about two pages in and begin to fall asleep. I don’t think it was his writing! Or, his subject material… I think I’m in a really busy season of life.
Yet, I plowed right through “The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism.”
So, I don’t know. Maybe it’s the reality that this was a textbook. You have to pay attention while you read, because he’s done a fantastic job of summarizing and succinctly sharing his research.
Conclusion:
Billy Graham commented on the book:
“Michael Green has made an immense contribution to our knowledge of evangelism… (It) has given me great personal encouragement.”
I would agree wholeheartedly. I was encouraged. I was also enlightened. I’m very grateful to have had the benefit of his research.
What about you? Have you heard of Michael Green? What’s been your experience in reading and studying the early church? What’s been your biggest encouragement in evangelism?
soon!
andy