Wow, this video should knock your socks off. Penn, from the famous comedic duo Penn & Teller, is an atheist but he recently posted a video where he discusses an evangelistic encounter with a man and shares what made that encounter meaningful to him. The best line in the whole video is when Penn remarks:
I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell, and you think, ‘Well, it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward’… How much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize? (emphasis mine)
Watch this video and take notes, it’s a good reminder that we should practice evangelism and that it should be done with authenticity and sincerity, rather than false, forced obligatory speeches.
HT: Ed Stetzer
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If that doesn’t make you stop, take a deep breath, and evaluate…nothing will.
[...] to Micah Fries and Ed Stetzer for passing it [...]
Penn “appears” completely lucid. However, watch the video again, and concentrate on his eyes. I believe he is highly-medicated (almost stoned). Note how many times he talks about how the man (this very excellent evangelist) looked him right in his eyes. Note how over and over, he talks about how good the man was.
I believe we are looking at a man that is under conviction of the Holy Spirit. His expression is not unlike that of a deer “frozen in the headlights.” But that line, that is so useable by us, did not come from him. I’ve been around him personally (Vegas) and I can assure you “he just don’t talk like that!” (Thank you, Holy Spirit!) And he never had that amount of humility before. I believe he is reflecting back on his life and now, at least, believes in hell. I pray that God will finish his coversion soon. It’s painful to see anyone suffer so. I believe our man backstage, wrote in the front of that Bible: “Penn, be sure and start with the book of John” along with his contact numbers”
Regardless, the takeaway line:
“How much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize?”
and the story, is ours forever. God Bless that Evangelist! And Holy Spirit, keep the pressure on Penn. Keep him safe, until he takes the next step: he needs Jesus so. And the victory will go to the three of You!
reggie
Wow. You can really tell that that encounter was spiritually led by the response Penn is showing. What a display of obedience by the man that returned to the show the next night with a Bible prepared with contact numbers, etc. The man approached him not as a fan or a preacher, but as one man to another in a caring, loving way. Obey the leading of the Spirit and amazing things will happen.
[...] Micah Fries via his twitter Posts with related contentDecember 18, 2008 — David Fitch on Missional [...]
Micah – I’ve sent to several friends and some of our pastoral staff a link to this blog/video. Thanks for posting it – many of us were convicted, and others encourages.