Preston Perry, poet and apologist, discusses evangelism, balancing boldness with love, starting faith conversations with empathy, interfaith dialogues, planting seeds of faith, and addressing race in churches.
Perry emphasizes empathy over winning arguments in evangelism.
Effective evangelism involves curiosity, active listening, and dialogue.
Authenticity and integrity are crucial in embodying grace and truth in sharing the gospel.
Deep dives
Courage and Compassion in Faith Sharing
Preston Perry's book, How to Tell the Truth, offers a refreshing approach to sharing one's faith with courage and compassion. By focusing on genuine curiosity about others and leading with empathy rather than just winning arguments, Perry emphasizes the importance of embodying Christ's love in evangelism. He shares personal experiences to highlight the need to treat people as individuals, not projects, and encourages readers to engage in evangelism authentically, respecting the unique journeys and perspectives of those they encounter.
Evolving Evangelism Strategies
Perry's discussions on the evolving nature of evangelism strategies provide valuable insights for individuals hesitant about sharing their faith. By emphasizing the power of curiosity, active listening, and genuine dialogue with others, he demonstrates that effective evangelism stems from understanding people's stories and responding with sensitivity. Perry's emphasis on creativity and adaptability in sharing the gospel challenges traditional notions of evangelism, encouraging a more holistic and personalized approach that respects the individuality of each person's faith journey.
Integrity and Authenticity in Faith Communication
Through his personal anecdotes and reflections, Preston Perry underscores the importance of integrity and authenticity in communicating one's faith. By weaving together elements of empathy, honesty, and respectful engagement with others, Perry highlights the necessity of embodying grace and truth in sharing the gospel. He advocates for a balanced approach that values both the message of faith and the manner in which it is conveyed, promoting a deeper connection with individuals through genuine conversations and communal understanding.
Approaching Conversations with Different Faith Traditions
It is advised to approach conversations with Jehovah's Witnesses and other faith traditions with humility and respect, focusing on sharing one's own faith rather than seeking to tear down others. Understanding the key foundations of the gospel, such as explaining the Trinity and salvation by grace, is crucial in engaging in meaningful dialogues. Asking questions and planting seeds of curiosity can be more impactful than trying to win arguments, with the goal of leaving others to ponder and wrestle with new perspectives.
Engaging with Hebrew Israelites and Urban Apologetics
Engaging with Hebrew Israelites, who believe they are the lost children of Israel, requires a nuanced approach due to their strong convictions about their identity and salvation exclusivity. The Hebrew Israelites' belief system is deeply tied to their ethnicity and historical narratives, leading to confrontations and challenges in sharing the gospel. Urban apologetics involves understanding the social context of these faith engagements and the importance of planting seeds of truth rather than aiming to win immediate conversions, emphasizing the power of God's sovereignty in drawing individuals to faith.
Preston Perry is a poet, performance artist, teacher, and apologist from Chicago. Preston’s writing and teaching has been featured on ministry platforms such as The Gospel Coalition, the Poets in Autumn Tour, and Legacy Disciple.
Preston is co-host, with his wife Jackie Hill Perry, of the popular podcast With the Perrys. He created Bold Apparel and the YouTube channel Apologetics with Preston Perry in order to engage the public in theological discourse. Preston just released his first book, How to Tell the Truth: The Story of How God Saved Me to Win Hearts—Not Just Arguments, which is a fantastic book about evangelism and apologetics and forms the basis for our conversation.
Order How to Tell the Truth by Preston Perry today!
