The Provocative Church

by Graham Tomlin

This accessible book offers a practical theology of evangelism and the local church. The basic theme is that we need provocative churches which raise the question asked by the onlookers in Acts 2:12: What does it all mean?

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christianity, Religion, Christian Living, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2002

About the author

Graham Tomlin (Ph.D., Exeter University) is dean of St. Mellitus College, London. He taught on Martin Luther and the Reformation in the theology faculty of the University of Oxford for eight years. He is the author, among many other publications, of The Power of the Cross: Theology and the Death of Christ in Paul, Luther and Pascal and Luther and His World.

Reviews

[Trey Dunham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of evangelism evokes numerous ideological and visceral reactions in everyone who has ever darkened the doorway of a church. Images of door-to-door-salesmen in white shirts and ties or sweaty, ranting, middle-aged men with expensive suits and comb-overs come most immediately to mind. Deep feelings of guilt, nausea and dread follow not long after.

We all care deeply that people come to know God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit and most of us would own up to the fact that this is perhaps our greatest calling: to share Christ with friends and family and even [gasp!] strangers. Unfortunately, most of the people in our lives have little interest in spiritual things, God, and especially the church. and most conversations we try to steer towards Jesus crash and burn, often before they even get going.

And so if you are like me, you feel caught, stuck between the desire to tell others and a world that could care less.

Graham Tomlin, in The Provocative Church, makes an interesting observation. He notes that 1 Peter instructs Christians to be “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” The problem, according to Tomlin, is that no one is asking the question. Good point.

And this is, he says, where the church needs to be provocative.

A FEW MAIN IDEAS:

Evangelism is the invitation to live under the rule of a new kingdom. Tomlin argues that the mission of Jesus was not to provide a path to heaven, but rather a larger view of inviting people into the kingdom of God. Certainly heaven is included as part of the kingdom, but to limit it to this is to sell short what God intends for us: namely, a rich life under his rule that begins [or can begin] immediately, not just after we die. And God’s kingdom is wholly different than any kingdom before or since: greatness comes to those who serve, those who are poor in spirit inherit the kingdom, and the meek will own the earth.

The church becomes provocative [and therefore evangelistic] when we live communally, as if under the rule of Christ. Evangelism, if it is an invitation to live under the rule of Christ, can be nothing other than a communal process. It is not possible to demonstrate humility or love or devotion or forgiveness in isolation. Life under the rule of Christ demands that we live in community according to the rules of this new kingdom which Christ ushered in.

The church is meant to offer a taste of life in the kingdom that leads to a life lived under the rule of Christ. Christ offered two distinctives, rules of the kingdom of God: it is a community that loves God and secondly loves others. Jesus said that all the law and prophets was summed in these two commandments. Tomlin argues that these precepts create a culture that is highly provocative and open to those outside the kingdom. and the church, being open, offers a taste of what that life can and will be like for those who accept the invitation to life under the rule of Christ. of course, this depends upon the community’s ability to really love God and others.

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?
I think what has been most helpful to me in the reading of this book is the broadening of my view of evangelism to an invitation to live under the rule of Christ. I realize that many would want to dissect the good news into two parts: a prayer to get you into heaven and the part where you become more like Jesus, living more under the rule of Christ. I have a hard time separating the two

I am not at all suggesting that in order to come into the kingdom one has to fully, completely, totally live under the rule of Christ. John [and others] tell us that belief is all that is necessary to come into God’s family and kingdom, but it is a kingdom, a way of life, into which we are coming. This is a much larger and comprehensive view of evangelism and the gospel.

Second, I am convinced [and greatly relieved] that evangelism is a shared activity, one that requires a community, even though I participate as an individual within the church. Evangelism requires explanation, but it first requires a community living as a taste of the kingdom. It is the life of the church, as a body, that provokes the question, why are you the way you are? The answer is good news: the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

[Michael Culbertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tomlin contends that traditional methods of evangelism are likely not to be terribly effective for post-modern generations, who are suspicious of authority, rationality, absolute claims, and inauthenticity. Moreover, the New Testament doesn't seem to support the traditional gospel-presentation, alter-call, sinner's-prayer style of evangelism. Rather, Tomlin suggests that the New Testament calls Christians, as a community, to live in such provocative obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ (primarily in terms of unity, love, and service) that the world will want to know the source of such a life. (And it is then that the gospel is made explicit.)

Tomlin's message is on point, and will come as a relief to those who feel "guilty" about evangelism, since in Tomlin's model, evangelism isn't about going out to "sell" the gospel (to people who often seem not to want what's being sold), but rather living out the gospel before neighbors by placing one's life under the rule of Christ.

While I agree with the message of the book, unfortunately, I can't say that the text inspired me, particularly. It will serve, nevertheless, as a good launching point for a congregational discussion about evangelism, as our pastor intends. The discussion questions in the Study Guide at the end of the book are also actually rather good.

[Tyler Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the central point of this book is correct. Evangelism needs to be rediscovered today in a world where it conjures up images of televangelists and altar calls. Jesus' message of the Kingdom of God was not mainly about heaven after death but bringing everything in creation under the rule of God. The New Testament usually assumes a world where the Christian lifestyle would provoke questions from outsiders, rather than Christian individuals going door-to-door or handing out tracks to win people for Christ. A call from pastors to "go and tell your friends" rarely inspires the masses. And members will not be effective evangelists if they don't experience transformation that comes from life with Jesus and with his people.

All the above being true, this book did leave me dissatisfied. Maybe it's just my campus ministry vocation, but it seems to lower the expectation that every Christian should be able to give a thoughtful account of their faith. While uplifting the deeds of mercy and justice that the church needs to do, it feels like it downgrades the importance of explaining the good news off the cross and resurrection of Jesus (substituting "Jesus is Lord" as the essence of the gospel). And it seems to think that the pre-Christian world of the New Testament should be engaged in roughly the same fashion as the post-Christian world of today. I'm not convinced that being a "provocative church" will result in the witnessing opportunities we need for a missionary encounter with the West. I think we will need to be bold in seeking to create these opportunities by entering into conversation with those we don't yet have relationship with, in order to be able to invite them to live under the rule of God.

[Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provocative Church argues for an approach to evangelism based on the idea that the best evangelism happens when the church is doing what it's supposed to be doing: making the lordship of Christ central; following Christ's commandments; discipling members.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Provocative Church
Graham Tomlin
SPCK
ISBN 0-281 05476-2
The book at Amazon.co.uk

This is another book I have to read for my training course. Its is such a good title, I've always believe that the church should be noticeable, challenging, and something that people would look at and like or dislike. Jesus was not the sort of person people ignored – so His church should be like Him. With expectations nicely set I open the book. The first chapter is about evangelism. Hmmm, not quite what I was expecting, but interesting nevertheless. The book continues, with chapters like “King the Kingdom, the Book” and “Evangelism makes me feel guilty” and “Transforming communities”. Its all good common sense stuff, it reminds me of lots of the things I thought Christianity should be when I was first a Christian. There's lots more, and one or two practical examples as well. Most importantly this book comes across as open and honest. For example "Digging beneath the surface of many even apparently successful churches, it doesn't take long to discover a common feeling that our Christianity occupies a parallel universe from the rest of our lives. And the effect on evangelism is huge, as it eventually leaves Christians bored, frustrated and going through the motions. And if that's all Christian life is, then out of kindness to their non-Christian friends, they quietly ignore all the well-intentioned pleas to bring them to church." That of course is not what Christian life should be. Christian life should be different, and the hows and whys are both discussed. So if you really don't want to live a 'provocative' life – or at least be made to think about why and how – then leave this book on the shelf.

Otherwise I recommend you pick it up and read it, go on give it a try.....

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could give this 4 1/2 stars, instead of just 4, I would (but don't know how). This is a helpful, accessible, and useful little book. Tomlin does a good job of
(a) briefly describing the cultural context in which the church is situated and the challenges it presents to evangelism;
(b) incorporating a theology of the Kingdom;
(c) recognizing the corporate nature of evangelism (i.e. the vital importance of the Church/church communities)
(d) giving attention to evangelism as a process, rather than a transaction.
There's a whole lot packed into a relatively small package (under 200 pages).

[Bob O'Bannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am surprised this book doesn't get more attention, particularly today when it's so fashionable for churches to be busy with mercy ministry. Tomlin makes an excellent case for why churches need to serve their communities, and how this will only enhance their evangelistic credibility. People simply won't care much about the church's message if they don't see the church making a difference.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Without actions, no one listens. Without words, no one understands." p 63
I have felt a bit awkward and guilty about evangelism most of life. And I've never been confident about exactly what it was to look like until I read this book! I highly recommend this accessible, relatively short (172 pages) book to all of my Christian friends. Thanks for the recommendation, John!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent. It really helps give perspective to the meaning and working out of evangelism....Why does the new testament say little about evangelism, because we are first called to model a new way of life in Christ before talking about it....But talk about it, explain it, share it, we must.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book raises some great questions about the purpose of the church in culture, postmodern evangelism, and kingdom living. Some parts are controversial and may cause you to bristle theologically. It's still an interesting read.

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book study read, good for discussion on modern day evangelism

[Henry Sturcke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did, but I found the writing muddled.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and refreshing take on church, "evangelism", and living lives for God.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some gems in this book which make it a worthwhile read. There is a lot of what we all know, but every now and again...