My Least Favorite Saying I Hear On Message Boards

[Budge]

I cringe when people use it...
[center]
[b]
“Preach the Gospel at all times. Where necessary, use words.”[/b][/center]


[quote]Saint Francis . . . A Sissy? by Ray Comfort
Send to a friendPosted by Symphony of Scripture on Thursday, August 16, 2007
Category: General Topics, Church Issues, Evangelism

One hundred and fifty thousand children had been on the brink of starving to death, but thanks to the kind gift of a very generous billionaire, every child now had enough food to keep him alive. That gift had arrived in the form of one big check. The horror was now over. It was finished. It was just a matter of distributing the food using the few relief workers we had. Without them to get the food to the children, there would have been many more deaths.
[b]
Some days later, a frantic worker burst into the camp and cried, “Some of the relief workers have stopped distributing food. Masses of children are dying!”

Why would the workers stop when there was plenty of food? It didn’t make sense. The distraught man said, “It’s because one of them held up a sign that said, ‘Feed the starving children. Where necessary, use food.’ That has caused some of the workers to simply befriend the starving children without giving them food. It’s insane!”[/b]

The first time I ever heard of Saint Francis of Assisi was back in 1965. It was during the surf movie “The Endless Summer.” Four surfers who were chasing the sun discovered the perfect wave, at a place in South Africa called “Cape Saint Francis.” The sight of the perfect wave excited me beyond words.

The Unspeakable Gift

The next time I heard of him was when I heard that he said “Preach the Gospel at all times. Where necessary, use words.” That statement upset me beyond words, because it was a philosophy that I knew sounded deeply spiritual . . . to those who were spiritually shallow. It made as much sense as “Feed starving children. Where necessary, use food.”

On 16 July 1228 Francis of Assisi was pronounced a saint by Pope Gregory IX. That’s a long time ago, so it’s a little late for questions, but if I could I would like to find out why anyone would say such a strange thing? Was it because he was fearful to use actual words to preach the truth of the Gospel? Or was it because he thought that people would see that he had good works and hear the message of salvation without a preacher, something contrary to Scripture’s “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).

Whatever the case, 800 years since Francis we have many who profess faith in Jesus, and are no doubt using this popular philosophy to justify being speechless. To them salvation truly is an “unspeakable” gift.

Recently someone told me about a conference where 100,000 Christians gathered to worship God. When I asked if they were exhorted to go out and preach the Gospel to every creature, it was no surprise to me that they weren’t. Instead, they were exhorted to live a life of worship. Again, that sounds spiritual, but you can’t worship God without obedience to His Word, and His Word commands us to preach the Gospel to every creature.

I regularly meet those who think they can obey the Great Commission without using words. When they hear the Gospel preached that are usually offended and say things like, “I appreciate what you are saying, but I don’t like the way you are saying it.” With a little probing, they are the relationship folks, who think preaching the Gospel means building relationships with the lost, and never mentioning words like “sin,” “Hell,” and “Judgment Day.” They think that real love is to withhold the Bread of life from those that are starving to death. Remember that Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38, italics added).

According to the dictionary, a “sissy” is “a timid or cowardly person.” From what I understand of Saint Francis, he was no sissy. He was a loving man who was not afraid to use words when he preached. He wasn’t frightened to preach repentance to a sinful world. However, there have been times when I could have been called that name. I have felt the grip of fear and have wanted to drop words such as sin, Hell, repentance and Judgment Day when I have preached to sinners. I don’t want to come across as being unloving or judgmental, but I fear God more than I fear man. So when God’s Word tells me to use words, I use words, despite the consequences.

Listen to the Apostle Paul’s sobering warning to his hearers: “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20: 26-27). Perhaps he spoke about being free from their blood because he was familiar with God Himself warning Ezekiel of his responsibility to warn his generation: “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you giv[b][/b]e him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.” (Ezekiel 3:18, italics added).

When someone thinks that they can feed starving children and not use food, that’s their business. But when their philosophy spreads throughout the camp, it becomes an unspeakable tragedy. If we become passive about the Great Commission because we are more concerned about ourselves than the eternal well-being of others, we may be able to hide our motives from man, but not from God. He warns, “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?” (Proverbs 24:11-12).

There’s an interesting irony to this story. After a little research I came across a quote about the famous saying. It is from someone who had been a Franciscan monk for 28 years–and had earned an M.A. in Franciscan studies. He co ntacted some of the most eminent Franciscan scholars in the world to try and verify the saying. [b]He said, “It is clearly not in any of Francis’ writings. After a couple weeks of searching, no scholar could find this quote in a story written within 200 years of Francis’ death.” (1.)[/b]

So if it wasn’t Saint Francis who said not to use words, who was it? Who is it that would like to see the truth of the Gospel hindered from being preached to every creature? That doesn’t need to be answered.

The time is short. The laborers are few. Please, cast off your fears and equip yourself to preach the Gospel with words. They are necessary.
______________________[/quote]
(1.)

Edited August 16, 2007 by Budge

[Cure of Ars]

Paul says:

If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. 1 Cor 13:1

This is getting at the same basic point. Or a more modern version, “you need to walk the walk if you're going to talk the talk” or even “actions speak louder than words”. St. Francis is not saying don’t use words. In fact, he spent a lot of his time preaching to people and when they would not listen he would preach the gospel to birds. I will concede that some use this quote by St. Francis to rationalize their failure in talking about Jesus to those they love and on these grounds it is a fair criticism. It could also be that St. Francis did not say those words.

Edited August 16, 2007 by Cure of Ars

[Maggyie]

There are many, many people who have been converted to Christianity through the example of holy Christians. God's Eternal Word is Christ, and so essentially through works of mercy and charity you can bring the Word to people

Of course, if you preach the Gospel with words alone, you will fail to reach hearts. Sometimes Protestants have this idea that if only we could blanket the world with copies of the Gospel, all who read would be converted (or the elect would, anyway). Or if we put up a giant loudspeaker so everybody could hear the Word proclaimed, millions of conversions would be in the offing.

This quote from St. Francis (which may or may not be apocryphal) provides great insight into the reality that people become convinced of religious truths only when they see them fully lived in the actions of believers. It is no good proclaiming the Gospel if you do it while stealing, lying, or ignoring the poor. The hearers will note the disparity between your words and your actions (or lack thereof) and will conclude that this "Good news" is warmed-over baloney.

One of the more popular ways to witness is to stand on a street corner and hand out Bible tracts. But the far more powerful witness is that of the Christian who helps his brother and sister and does it only for the sake of the Cross and for the glory of Jesus Christ. It's the latter witness that changes lives and brings unbelievers to salvation.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

This thread is silly. Budge, if you really want to debate about St. Francis, bring it on.

[XIX]

Important to note the choice of words while we are on topic: [b]when[/b] necesary, use words.

Not if. When.

[Mateo el Feo]

For starters, Ray Comfort is such a cheesy guy. I mean, really. In any event...

The phrase attributed to St. Francis is directed at those who would pretend to be Christian with words, while living a life which didn't conform to the Christian ideal: Our Lord, Jesus Christ. The phrase he is so critical of is supported by the New Testament. For example, James 2:15-16:[quote]Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?[/quote]This is a parallel to the St. Francis quote: if you're going to preach the Gospel, you'd better be living the Gospel. In addition, our fidelity to the Gospel is a powerful tool for evangelization. That's really the heart of the message.

Ray seems to think he's got a good analogy with the whole "starving town" scenario. It may pull on some emotional strings, but it has nothing to do with the phrase he hates so much.

Maybe Ray is offended because he sees himself as the target of the phrase: someone who treats religion like an Amway product, while not allowing the person of Jesus Christ to penetrate into his heart and conform him to God's will.

[abercius24]

[quote name='XIX' post='1360568' date='Aug 16 2007, 09:24 PM']Important to note the choice of words while we are on topic: [b]when[/b] necesary, use words.

Not if. When.[/quote]

Amen to that!

[homeschoolmom]

Okay... here's the thing. St. Francis tells us to preach the Gospel [b]at all times.[/b] Is it possible or necessary to be preaching the Gospel with words "at all times"? St. Francis is encouraging us to live a life that presents the Gospel to others-- by clothing the naked, feeding the starving and praying for others. But he does not leave us there to only live the Gospel. He tell us that when it is necessary, use words to tell of Christ and His merciful love. As Scripture tells us to be prepared to give an explanation for the hope that is within us-- at all times.

St. Francis' comment does not tell us to "rarely" use words or to "deny someone the benefit of words." No. Instead he tells us to use them when they are necessary. And to live the Gospel all of the time.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1361059' date='Aug 17 2007, 08:35 AM']Okay... here's the thing. St. Francis tells us to preach the Gospel [b]at all times.[/b] Is it possible or necessary to be preaching the Gospel with words "at all times"? St. Francis is encouraging us to live a life that presents the Gospel to others-- by clothing the naked, feeding the starving and praying for others. But he does not leave us there to only live the Gospel. He tell us that when it is necessary, use words to tell of Christ and His merciful love. As Scripture tells us to be prepared to give an explanation for the hope that is within us-- at all times.

St. Francis' comment does not tell us to "rarely" use words or to "deny someone the benefit of words." No. Instead he tells us to use them when they are necessary. And to live the Gospel all of the time.[/quote]
Very good points.

[IcePrincessKRS]

You know, if you do a quick Google search its pretty easy to find even Catholic sources admit that this phrase attributed to St. Francis isn't something he actually said. However it is an [b]adaption[/b] of something he [b]did say[/b]. The fact that he didn't say those exact words, however, does not detract from the point of the saying. Its still applicable in everyday situations.

[quote]This is a great quote, very Franciscan in its spirit, but not literally from St. Francis. The thought is his; this catchy phrasing is not in his writings or in the earliest biographies about him.
[b]
In Chapter XVII of his Rule of 1221, Francis told the friars not to preach unless they had received the proper permission to do so. Then he added, "Let all the brothers, however, preach by their deeds."[/b][/quote]

[Paddington]

Ray Comfort should've called in sick that day.

[homeschoolmom]

[cathoholic_anonymous]

Ray Comfort draws a false parallel. [i]Food[/i] is necessary for [i]feeding[/i] - they even come from the same root word. 'Words' and 'preaching' don't share anywhere near the same interdependent relationship.

As others have pointed out, St Francis wasn't decrying the significance of words, of verbal preaching. He simply pointed out that actions can speak for God just as deeply as words. And it is a sad fact that sometimes we neglect our actions. It's easy for me to preach on forgiveness, for example. It's not so easy for me to go out and forgive.

[Paddington]

I find it easier to give $10 to the poor box than to tell a good friend that he is committing a grave sin and that there is a Hell. I think that makes me normal.
(BTW, I haven't converted or anything....just making an example.)

[XIX]

In fact, in the full context of this quote (As IcePrincess pointed out) he was talking to people to whom he did not give permission to preach. I'm not criticizing St. Francis at all, just pointing out that it is easy to use his quote as an "out" when it's not meant that way at all.

I concur. It is [i]far][/i] easier to to drop a few bucks that it is to talk about something awkward with a friend.

That is why a lot of people misinterpret (probably intentionally) the quote from Saint Francis, thinking "Hey we don't have to use words to preach the gospel!" Of course that is not what Saint Francis meant. I feel like a lot of people try to convince themselves that they really don't have to talk about the awkward topics, because "Hey Saint Francis says I can just use actions!"