Quotes by Jim Ehrhard
Jim Ehrhard (b. 1954) — Pastor, Theologe und Autor · Evangelikal / Baptistisch (reformiert) · USA
Jim Ehrhard (* 1954) ist ein US-amerikanischer Theologe und reformierter Baptistenpastor, der als Gemeindeleiter sowie in der theologischen Ausbildung in den USA und Osteuropa wirkte. Bekanntheit erlangte er durch kirchenhistorische Studien sowie seine Kritik an methodischen Bekehrungsaufrufen wie dem „Altar Call“, die er als Verkürzung biblischer Buße und Gefahr trügerischer Heilsgewissheit beschrieb. Für Bibelleser bieten seine Arbeiten Impulse, das Wesen rettenden Glaubens und der Gnade anhand reformatorischer und puritanischer Theologie zu reflektieren.
Era: Today
Recurring topics: Witness & Mission, Church & Congregation, Faith & Trust, Freedom & Truth, Grace & Redemption, Guilt & Forgiveness, Patience & Waiting, God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit
Quotes by Jim Ehrhard
Proclaim the truth…call men to repent and believe and…leave the results in the hands of the Spirit who alone can bring people to faith.
Jim Ehrhard
Our appeal must be to come to Christ, not to follow any prescribed method that might cause some to equate their “coming” with coming to Him.
Jim Ehrhard
To be biblically evangelistic, we must be certain that what we do leads men to faith, not just to decisions.
Jim Ehrhard
The dangers of the invitation system are serious. The souls of men are at stake. To be biblically evangelistic, we must be certain that what we do leads men to faith, not just to decisions.
Jim Ehrhard
The invitation system…encourages people to make a response that “settles things” and, through subsequent counseling, to never doubt that decision. Anyone who is involved in personal evangelism can share countless examples of persons who, though presently living in gross sin, will nonetheless tell the evangelist that they are fine because they “made a decision for Christ” a certain number of years ago. They have never had any change in their life; they have no interest in the church, the Bible, or even God. But they have made their “decision.” Can we not see how dangerous such a system is to the souls of men?
Jim Ehrhard
We must be patient to allow the Holy Spirit to work conviction in the heart. That may happen in a few moments, a few hours, days, or even years. To be biblically evangelistic, we must be certain that what we do leads men to faith, not just to decisions.
Jim Ehrhard
Do we see any example in which [Jesus] (or the apostles, for that matter) appealed for people to “come forward” either as a testimony to their decision or as an act of accepting Him?… Many passages show that Jesus and the apostles called men to repentance and faith. But no passage indicates that either used any form of “invitation system” in bringing men to faith or in confirming their faith.
Jim Ehrhard
For years, we have heard about the values of the invitation system. It is even widely intimated (often plainly stated) that one who fails to give public invitations could not be concerned for the souls of men. Yet could it be that the very opposite is true – that the very extension of such an appeal might be the means for deluding many into a false state of assurance ultimately resulting in their damnation?
Jim Ehrhard
The dangers [of the invitations system]: 1. Promoting a method not promoted in Scripture. 2. Eliciting an emotional response based upon the personality of the speaker or the persuasion of the appeal. 3. Confusing the “coming forward” with salvation. 4. Counting great numbers who only discredit their profession by their lives. 5. Giving assurance to those who are unconverted.
Jim Ehrhard
Sources: teachingresources.org, biblechurchofcabot.com, christianbooknotes.com, truthingrace.com
All quotes · lumen.bible