Just out of curiousity, does anyone have anything against Ray Comfort? Considering my church (kind of) dislikes him so much. Someone from my church got kicked out for exposing their unbiblical evangelism and now Ray Comfort is outlawed. Please no bashing for the sake of bashing, but if you have legitimate concerns or comments, I really want to hear.
I would say that Brother Ray has a wonderful Biblical way of evangelising. His work has been a tremendous blessing to many on here as well as abroad.
I do not know anything about your church, but I have a hunch it is very similar to the churches that do not like anyone who would preach the Law prior to grace. They all seem to say "oh you are too legalistic", or "enough hellfire and brimstone", or "my god is a god of love, not of wrath". I have heard many of these arguments used not just against Brother Ray, but anyone else who would dare mention judgement for the lost.
Just my two cents, and if I am off base then completely disregard this. ;-)
Blessings to you.
P.S. If you are able, track down that brother or sister and love on them (not to bring them back to that church, but to keep them in the Body). I have seen, and been through being asked to leave a fellowship, and it is one of the most painful things to go through. Pray how GOd could use you to minister to this Brother/Sister
Yeah, I personally love Ray. And my friend that got kicked out is fine, he actually has his own bible study and stuff and will probably see this on here. But, it is just funny to me how people act toward Ray and this friend who was kicked out, their names are like bad words. Any association with them and you are booted out. I'll probably be next, so pray that God will show me if he wants me to stick around longer. Thanks,
Jacob
Just out of curiousity, does anyone have anything against Ray Comfort?
People have to know they are sinners before they can accept a savior. We need to paint a awful picture of sin and a glorious picture of the holiness of God. Then Christ will be truly a treasure.
I know that a lot of people have things against Ray and his methods, but not me. I support WOTM 100%. It's a great ministry and the only reason many today in modern Christianity don't like it, is because it's biblical!
Amen Jesse, I too support Way Of The Master 100%. I am eternally greatful to Ray and the rest who are apart of Living Waters ministry. Jesse is right, many people don't like it because its biblical.
Ray has indeed "established alot of old lankmarks that have been forgotten," like Greg said. As I've said, I'm eternally greatful for Ray, that God would raise up a man who would "cry aloud," "spare not," and "lift up," his "voice like a trumpet," and show Gods people their transgressions (Isaiah 58:1).
My thankfulness to God, for Ray cannot be expressed.
I have heard men saying this or that about Ray, but I could care less, we all go wrong in theology somewhere! But for the most part, I've always known Ray to be sincere and true in his dealings with mens souls, he does not trifle with such precious territory.
I think what Greg said should be read again:
"His technique he has crafted is not for imitation blindly but are crutches and starting off points to be lead by the spirit of God...People have to know they are sinners before they can accept a savior. We need to paint a awful picture of sin and a glorious picture of the holiness of God. Then Christ will be truly a treasure."
How will lost men know they are lost unless we tell them there sins? How will men know they have a disease unless we show them the symptoms? Please folks, now is not a time about methods and ways to witness, we must tell men there sins, we must cry aloud.
Please may God give the people reading this a brokeness for lost men and tears, weeping and wailing for them. The times are so urgent, men are dieing and going to hell without God
Paul m.
Ray has always inspired me to press out of the comfort zone and further into real christianity.
I've had the pleasure of hearing Ray speak and preach in person as well as talk to him many times. In spite of Ray's use of law that turns many christians off he is still able to get into many churches. I know many churches also will not have him.
Rays use of humor and his resistence to get into Pastoring territory have helped to lower the defenses of some christians and thereby they get a blessing.
Some points that fuel the resistence.
1. Use of the law misunderstood.
Many have heard so much of were not under law but under grace that when they hear it they freak out. Plus many will also say "I didn't come to Christ by the law".
2. The challenge to witness themselves.
Many are so scared of this and don't want to be reninded or feel guilty in anyway for not doing it.
3.Open air preaching.
Even christians who give supportive lip service to the practice can still waffle and be to critical of the open air preacher,ex"that sounds harsh" or "I don't hear the love".
Open air is a big turnoff for most christians so when they see or hear that Ray does that it's another red flag for them.
Lord bless, John
I know that a lot of people have things against Ray and his methods, but not me. I support WOTM 100%. It's a great ministry and the only reason many today in modern Christianity don't like it, is because it's biblical!
He has established alot of old lankmarks that have been forgotten in the church in regards to law and grace in evangelism. His technique he has crafted is not for imitation blindly but are crutches and starting off points to be lead by the spirit of God. I know many including myself that have relied on these "techniques" early on, but have progressed and matured onto more.People have to know they are sinners before they can accept a savior. We need to paint a awful picture of sin and a glorious picture of the holiness of God. Then Christ will be truly a treasure.
thingsabove wrote:
In spite of Ray's use of law that turns many christians off he is still able to get into many churches. I know many churches also will not have him.
2. The challenge to witness themselves.
Many are so scared of this and don't want to be reninded or feel guilty in anyway for not doing it.
I have noticed that the majority of people that I have come across who object to WOTM's evangelism principles cite the "technique" argument. They argue that their friends will see it coming, and will think that your just trying to "get hem saved". Well, of course. Isn't that the whole idea?
Usually if you scratch these people hard enough, you'll find that the real issue the one raised above. They're too chicken to even try witnessing, not realising that this is Ray's goal in most of his teaching: that we overcome fear and seek and save that which is lost.
I have also noticed that there are many who accuse Ray of claiming that you cannot be a real christian unless you are involved in open air evangelism. This is not the case. His emphasis is to share your faith, period. Having said this, there are few who spend a significant amount of time around Ray's teachings who don't end up on soap-box, or at least witnessing one on one in a team. After all, open air is a contagious thing.
3.Open air preaching.
Even christians who give supportive lip service to the practice can still waffle and be to critical of the open air preacher,ex"that sounds harsh" or "I don't hear the love".
Open air is a big turnoff for most christians so when they see or hear that Ray does that it's another red flag for them.
It's funny you say this, the first person that I told that I was thinking about going out and preaching open air, responded by saying that it doesn't work, and pointed me to the "loonies" who preach in Burke Street Mall (in Melbourne, Australia). Well, the guy has become one of these loonies, preaching every Friday on Burke and Elizabeth Sts, and now is a local leader with the GNN (and, of course, I never miss an opportunity to remind him of this;-)).
I love Ray Comfort.
I dont seem to get why he and Kirk Cameron are so cozy with TBN, that kind of puts a bad taste in my mouth. I saw him in pictures at a book signing with Kenneth Copeland's wife, and Kirk has hosted the Praise The Lord Program. I just dont seem to get it, we need to be preaching against it, not going on there shows promoting it.
I am confused about them sometimes.
However, I do say, that Ray Comfort is very biblically sound. His ministry has ministered to me and my wife in so many ways, and the Evidence Bible is one of the best study bibles I have.
god bless
boomatt wrote:
I love Ray Comfort.I dont seem to get why he and Kirk Cameron are so cozy with TBN, that kind of puts a bad taste in my mouth. I saw him in pictures at a book signing with Kenneth Copeland's wife, and Kirk has hosted the Praise The Lord Program. I just dont seem to get it, we need to be preaching against it, not going on there shows promoting it.
I am confused about them sometimes.
However, I do say, that Ray Comfort is very biblically sound. His ministry has ministered to me and my wife in so many ways, and the Evidence Bible is one of the best study bibles I have.
god bless
perhaps they are trying to reach deceived people with the True Gospel instead of what most TBN watchers get? :-(
I dont seem to get why he and Kirk Cameron are so cozy with TBN, that kind of puts a bad taste in my mouth. I saw him in pictures at a book signing with Kenneth Copeland's wife, and Kirk has hosted the Praise The Lord Program. I just dont seem to get it, we need to be preaching against it, not going on there shows promoting it.
I contacted Living Waters about this a while back and Ray himself responded that he is indeed against the prosperity gospel and Word-Faith teachings. They are on TBN to reach the world, as well as the very ministers they appear with on that network.
He has established alot of old lankmarks that have been forgotten in the church in regards to law and grace in evangelism. His technique he has crafted is not for imitation blindly but are crutches and starting off points to be lead by the spirit of God. I know many including myself that have relied on these "techniques" early on, but have progressed and matured onto more.
I contacted Living Waters about this a while back and Ray himself responded that he is indeed against the prosperity gospel and Word-Faith teachings. They are on TBN to reach the world, as well as the very ministers they appear with on that network.
Praise God!
I still dont get it, I have heard Ray Comfort preach against the prosperity message, but helps bring in money to TBN. When you host programs, you might be reaching the world, but what is he doing that makes Paul Crouch want him on the shows. When you are on those programs, I feel that you are promoting the false(or what appears to be promoting) gospel. However, I still say he is a great evangelist.
Confused!!!
Boomatt
To be short, I love Ray Comfort's ministry. When doing tract-based ministry, I hand out his stuff. Ray Comfort also teaches a lot of very sound principles that he has gleaned from the Scriptures and church history when it comes to doing evangelism.
My main concern about him though is that he almost entirely speaks about sin, and makes the resurrection of Christ almost an "oh-by-the-way" sorta deal. Sometimes he also seems too technique driven, and less Spirit driven.
Nonetheless, I think very highly of his ministry.
I think it was through Ray Comfort that I realized that I was serving God just to be happy. That changed my life. I love to hand out his tracks and he has taught me so much when it comes to witnessing and evangelising.
A gripe I heard a christian mention was, "Isn't he a little arrogant to say that this is the ONLY WAY OF THE MASTER?"
The other thing is that I have seen many christians open air preaching 'mis-using' his tecniques making him look bad. These guys actually had shirts on that said, "Homo's are hellbound" but thats another discussion. =( (very grieving). They went overboard with the militancy.
I am having flashbacks. This sounds to familiar... ;-)
boomatt wrote:
I still dont get it, I have heard Ray Comfort preach against the prosperity message, but helps bring in money to TBN.
Sounds kind of like, "Render unto Caeser what is Caeser's..", after all, whose face is on the "coin"? I don't see any difference in this, and handing out money to sinners when preaching the gospel.
KingJimmy wrote:
My main concern about him though is that he almost entirely speaks about sin, and makes the resurrection of Christ almost an "oh-by-the-way" sorta deal. Sometimes he also seems too technique driven, and less Spirit driven.
I think it was Greg who raised the point that Ray's "techniques" are more of a crutch to lean on while starting out, than a "be-all-and-end-all" technique. The point is, break the proud heart before ministering grace. When you watch Way of the Master, you may notice that Ray often strays away from his technique, while following the principle behind it.
Regarding the "sin/rssurection" ratio, the illustration has been made that a doctor who spends much time eplaining the graveness of the ailment, will need only point to the cure to have it deeply appreciated. So much of his teaching is on sin, purely because there are so many different expressions of it, however thier is only one Ressurection of Christ. I don't know if you've checked out any of the WOTM traning materials, but they go more into presenting Christ to the broken hearted sinner. The point is, don't cast the "pearl" of the gospel, to a "swine heared" sinner.
say what you want about ray comfort or his "methods", i know this. if every professing christian would do what ray does... it wouldent take very long for all of the world to hear the gospel, we should all pray we also get a burden for the lost... and "the" evidence you do have a burden..is you do something about it...
christian
This discussion is locked.
