Touching the raw nerve
Charles Hodge used to call "intuitive truths," such truths
that are indelibly impressed upon the human mind, fundamental truths
that have to do with the Creator-creature relationship.
In presenting the gospel to what we like to call "a post-modern
society," we need to remember what every unbeliever always
remembers, though he does not really like to remember it. We tend to
reject the task of evangelism as engaging in an impossible work, for, we
reason, the unbeliever cannot understand our language, taken from the
Bible; the unbeliever, we are prone to assume, cannot handle such
subjects as the judgement to come and moral accountability.
The paper clears away such misconceptions; it rightly claims that
every contact we have for the gospel has what's called "a raw
nerve." He, being made in the image of God, immediately responds to
what he hears from us, and though he may perversely negate the message,
yet deep in his heart he knows that what we're saying is right on the
dot.
It's so instructive to see the apostle Paul as he dealt with the
pagan and amoral Felix and his wife Drusilla. Steeped as Felix was in
pagan idolatry and ignorant as he was of the Bible, this did not hinder
or intimidate Paul from presenting him such fundamental truths as the
necessity of faith in Christ, the need of righteousness, self-control
and the judgement on the Last Day. Paul convinces us, with his
methodology, that we do not really need to find and adopt a peculiar and
intricate system of apologetics before we even start to present the
gospel He went right ahead assuming that Felix know about the being of
God, and the nature of sin. He held it as a presupposition that Felix,
and all unbelievers, have some awareness of the existence of God, and
they still have a conscience. Paul knew that Felix could easily
understand his obligation to God. His approach was direct, incisive and
powerful. He knew man's make-up as a creature of God, fallen indeed, but
a creature that cannot escape the God "who is out there."
Paul took the issue with Felix and reasoned with him about gospel
matters, the first time he met him. He laid it out before him. His
address was extremely direct and challenging. Paul assumed that Felix
would have little difficulty in understanding him and responding to the
truths presented deep within his conscience. Paul counted on the fact of
man's constitution: man cannot hide from God. He knows about Him. And
whenever the true and living God is presented or talked about to him,
lost man has an answering chord in his heart. He grasps the truth, at
least intellectually, even though he may deny it and bring innumerable
excuses and raise a thousand problems.
Paul knew Felix how lacking in self-control he was, and that was one
of the primary issues taken up with him. He focused on his most
vulnerable and sensitive point, expecting all the while to make an
impact on the conscience.
Every evangelist should assume that men know that they are
accountable to God. He must not be afraid to tell the unbeliever that he
knows this about him. He does not need an elaborate apologetic approach.
In Felix's case, Paul's assertions struck home with such penetrating
power that he felt great fear. Don't be tempted, then, to think that you
need to prove that sin is sin. After presenting the message,
full-fledged, plead with sinful people to repent, assuming that they
have understood, even though they may say, "This is Greek to
me!"
Paul shows us that the gospel has unique "connecting"
power, whether people show it or not. When we declare that every human
being is created by God all men will instinctively realize its
truthfulness, and feel challenged.
This is further elaborated in Romans 1 and 2. Several aspects of our
message are already plain and evident to man, because they are indelibly
impressed upon each person's inner awareness. Truths in this category
include the existence of one God, invisible, powerful and holy, and that
we are all sinners destined for judgement. Although lost people may not
consciously believe these thing, once we explain them, they will carry a
powerful ring of truth and considerable authority. These truths are even
naturally receivable. They may be suppressed from conscious knowledge,
as happens to those who adhere to false world religions, but they are
there in the soul, lying just beneath the surface, so that the
evangelist can stir them up. We should not, then, regard the
unregenerate as totally unreachable and unteachable. Even in their lost
condition they would know that whom we proclaim is obviously the only
plausible, logical, true God. Even with unregenerate eyes certain things
are plain. The true God is the most natural and obvious concept to all
people! Natural theology, what can be learned about God from the
creation, is within everybody's reach, and it is a great stepping-stone
for Christians to reach others to Christ.
For instance, people know that there is a standard of morals; they
show this by their readiness to judge others (Rom.2:1ff). Everyone has
the capacity to see evil in others, though they may deny it in
themselves. By this censorious spirit unbelievers betray that their
consciences are alive and well, and leave themselves inexcusable in the
sight of God.
At some time or another, everyone experiences some kindness or
goodness of God, in deliverance from sickness or accident, and so on. At
the time of crisis, they feel unworthy why they have been delivered. But
later on they choose to forget and continue in their disobedience and
lack of repentance. These can be brought up in our evangelism. No lost
person can deny it.
It is perfectly clear that saving illumination is essential if our
contacts are to come under genuine conviction of sin, and see the need
to flee to Christ for forgiveness. But even without this vital
illumination people's minds are aware of a number of fundamental
spiritual matters, and all biblical evangelism is based upon this fact.
Considering that the raw nerve is within every human heart, however
depraved or sinful he might be, this is a great incentive and
encouragement to gospel-workers. For this raw nerve can be touched, and
they can be brought face to face with the God with whom they have to do!
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