D. James Kennedy의 전도 신학과 방법에 대한 분석

AN ANALYSIS OF D. JAMES KENNEDY'S THEOLOGY AND METHOD OF EVANGELISM

The primary purpose of this dissertation is analyzing D. James Kennedy's theology and method of evangelism. Kennedy (1930-2007) and his ministry attempted not only to win souls for God's glory through obeying the Great Commission, but also to reform America's social, cultural, and moral problems through fulfilling the cultural mandate. In particular, he contributed to fulfill the Great Commission through Evangelism Explosion and media ministry. The Evangelism Explosion International ministry (EEI), which he led, became the first Christian ministry to be planted in all the world's 212 nations in 1996. Approximately 100,000 churches in 211 nations have trained their laypeople to witness using the principles and methods of EE ministry. EE's textbook, EvangelismExplosion,hasnotonlybeentranslatedinmorethanninety-fivelanguag es,butone-and-a-halfmillioncopieshavealsobeendistributedinEnglishalone.AccordingtoChristianityToday,EEisoneoftheworld'smostlargelyusedmethodsofc hurch-basedoutreach. Kennedy's gospel message is essential in his evangelism theology. He delivered the gospel of grace, man, God, Christ, and faith. His gospel message is God's love message because totally sinful man—who is destined to go to hell due to God's righteousness—freely receives salvation in grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior. Such a gospel message is a clear and systematic one. Above all, the emphasis on grace is unique in his gospel message. However, he did not stress repentance. Also, his gospel message is not Calvinistic message, but biblical one although he was a Calvinist. The reason that EE's gospel message does not emphasize Calvinism is that EE becomes an interdenominational ministry. Kennedy's EE is significant in his evangelism method. EE is based on New Testament principles of evangelism. EE as lay evangelism not only attempts to fulfill the Great Commission by laypeople, but also adopts on-the-job training. Moreover, EE's follow-up discipleship overcomes personal evangelism's limitation because its follow-up program not only obeys making disciples, but spiritually cares for new believers to make mature and trained Christians who can evangelize the lost. EE results in church growth. Thus, EE's principles are methodogically legitimate. EE's gospel presentation is a useful and effective personal evangelism method because relational, persuasive, dialogical, and flexible in sharing the gospel presentation. However, the commitment in EE's gospel outline is problematic in view of Calvinism. Although he was a Calvinist, EE's commitment could provide easy-believism by the prospect's intellectual agreement. Its prayer, the so-called Sinner's Prayer, could be considered as a required gate of conversion; and the evangelist's declaration after the prayer of commitment could lead the prospect to "easy-believism." Consequently, the commitment in the gospel presentation should be utilized carefully.