Book Critique: Share Jesus Without Fear By William Fay

Book Critique: Share Jesus without Fear by William Fay

Introduction

William Fay skillfully communicates a new measurement for success to an American church audience that has been influenced by societal measures rather than biblical standards. Fay's measurement for success in personal evangelism is not in the result, not in the number of conversions or the method of communication but instead rests on Christians being vocal and active in sharing their faith. In an American culture where society tracks success with graphs and charts measuring sales, units produced and measurable results, Fay's message is an encouragement to Christians who, he says, must understand that their biblical evangelistic responsibility is simply to share while trusting God to bring His desired result.

Review

Fay claims that only 5 to 10 percent of evangelicals have shared their faith in the past year. This reader doubted the validity of that assertion, however, and would have liked to know the source of the data. Written in a conversational tone rather than as an academic text, Sharing Jesus Without Fear lacks sufficient footnotes and end notes for readers who doubt Fay's findings. This reader's experience as an evangelical pastor of more than 20 years leads him to believe that Fay may have been too generous in his estimate. Whether 5 to 10 percent or lower, Fay is correct in identifying a major problem facing the church of Jesus Christ in that it is either unwilling or unprepared to share the message of the gospel in clear and effective ways. Fay's words are strong when he points out the “sin of silence” and says failure to share the gospel or be around the lost, sick or dying as signs of a dying Christian life.

Rather than dwell on the failings of Christians, Fay adeptly and quickly moves into showing an exciting and rewarding Christian walk which lies ahead when believers understand their role as sharers and God's role of turning hearts toward Himself. After making a case for testifying for Christ, he works to equip his readers with a user-friendly and easily-memorized approach that will open up conversations and lead to opportunities for sharing. Fay recommends five non-threatening open-ended questions that are designed to get people thinking and talking about spiritual things and provide believers the opportunity to share scripture. Fay shows his understanding of the authority of Scripture when he identifies that this is what the Lord uses to speak to the hearts of men.4 This reader was most impressed when Fay relayed an encounter with the demonic where he simply ignored the demon and continued to have the person he was sharing with reread the scripture passage until it took hold and defeated the enemy.5 This was especially refreshing in light of the current extrabiblical spiritual warfare techniques espoused by numerous modern authors. Fay's approach is simple and effective. This reader had the opportunity to use his five questions just a couple nights ago and found that they did indeed lead ...