Thorne 9
The discipling of the nations is the God-set agenda. This is where the evangelical shines the
brightest. World wide evangelism is the hallmark of evangelicalism. One could argue that all
doctrinal disputes dim in the brilliant light of the evangelistic efforts and successes of the
evangelical movement. Yes, there is weakness. Yes, there are more converts than disciples.
However, the evangelistic mandate is going forth not only personally but on a movement wide
front in obedient response to the Biblical mandate.
The bright light of evangelistic success dims a bit when evangelism means disciple
making so that the resulting converts are not only changed individually but change their world.
American society displays a severe dichotomy between the multitudes who profess to be
evangelicals and people who definitely need to be saved. By this I mean that it is nearly
impossible in American society to see any difference between evangelicals and pagans. Any
semblance of holistic salvation as a result of the Biblical Gospel call is hidden beneath a facade of
consumer Christianity. Evangelicals are at the forefront of all that religion calls "progressive" in
this world - but this shouldn't be a compliment!
V. CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
"An evangelical expects the Gospel to have an impact on culture and lives with intent to
seek God's reign on His earth."
43
When God described the creation of mankind to Moses, He imbedded a cultural mandate
within that account: "Then God said, Let we make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them
rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over
all the creatures that move along the ground."
44
This is repeated after the Flood: "Then God
blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth .