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Radical Reformation History  /  Lecture 21: The 20th Century Anabaptist Mission Movement  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 9
Taylor questioned whether methods like the “Jesus film” and “Creation to Christ” can unintentionally omit what they “don’t say,” especially the theme of God establishing a people who anticipate the kingdom; if you evaluated your own evangelism or discipleship tools by what they consistently leave silent, what silences would you expect to find—and what do those silences produce in converts?
Another way to ask: If you judged your evangelism tools by what they leave out, what missing topics would you expect to find? How might those gaps shape what new believers become like?

Direct Answer Dean Taylor’s warning suggests we should examine not only what our tools say about atonement and forgiveness, but what they leave quiet about the kingdom, the visible people of God, and discipleship. Those silences can produce converts who think Christianity is mainly personal pardon rather than participation in a gathered community that embodies Christ’s rule.

Support from Transcript:

  • Taylor affirms the tools have value: the “Jesus film” and “creation to Christ…are very good in and of themselves,” and he is “all for…needing to understand the atonement.”
  • His main concern is omission: “it’s not what they say…It’s what they don’t say. And it’s that silence…become very loud.”
  • He says these methods often do not leave people anticipating the kingdom: you don’t usually leave with “God’s people on earth are going to establish his kingdom.”
  • Instead, the takeaway becomes: “Huh, I’m forgiven,” which Taylor treats as incomplete.
  • He notes the methods often emphasize “the theme of sacrifice…is the main thing that’s given,” while Jesus’ “kingdom of heaven is at hand” burden can be muted.
  • He ties this to the larger Gemeinde storyline (Eden to Christ) that gives converts a vision of being formed into a people.
Discussion Follow-ups What have your tools been weakest at: church/community, obedience, kingdom hope, suffering, or care for the poor? How might those omissions shape long-term fruit—nominal faith, individualism, or lack of church attachment?

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