“Prophetic evangelism is an approach to sharing the good news of Jesus (evangelism) using specifically those prophetic tools and gifting provided by the Holy Spirit to those evangelising. The message delivered by prophetic evangelism is (almost always) God’s way of directly challenging an individual, causing them to recognize a definitive decision point in their life. The message never changes, but the methods need to.”
Difficulties with this theme
Daniel Holland, a British pastor and evangelist, presents this challenge in the introduction to his book, encouraging his readers to consider whether the Lord might also empower us to reach the lost through the use of the prophetic and related spiritual gifts. This is the author’s second book, his first being a powerful autobiography dealing with deliverance from childhood trauma.
Before unpacking the details, it is perhaps worth considering that writing on this theme presents certain difficulties. On the one hand, many popular teachers and movements (especially from the USA) which advocate such outreach methods have been thoroughly discredited by uncritically embracing occult spiritual practices and false dominion ‘kingdom’ gospels. However, there is an equal danger in reacting against this by ‘throwing out the baby with the bathwater’ and writing off the use of gifts of the Spirit in our own evangelism.
Holland’s orthodox approach
Whilst the author does not directly address these questions as such, for the most part his position regarding the issues they touch on comes across clearly. Holland is passionate and uncompromising about the Gospel and the centrality of Christ’s atoning death for our sin, whilst seeing words of knowledge or prophetic insights as God-given keys to unlock doors in evangelistic encounters which might otherwise remain closed.
His firm conviction is that the Bible repeatedly demonstrates this approach in action, and he provides several chapters exploring how Jesus and the apostles used spiritual gifts in their own outreach. This includes an exploration of ‘end times’ evangelism, based on a study of ‘the two witnesses’. Holland’s perspective is realistic and gritty, acknowledging that Christians will face increasing persecution and resistance to the Gospel until God can no longer hold back His final judgement. He encourages us to persist to the end and resist pressures to make the Gospel ‘politically correct’.
Several chapters explore how Jesus and the apostles used spiritual gifts in their own outreach.
Misuse of spiritual gifts
Another important matter concerns deception and misuse of the gifts. The author recognises that personal prophecy is particularly vulnerable in this regard, and therefore tackles false prophecy and occult influences within the church head on. Although he does not identify the contribution of specific teachings or movements to this problem, he does give useful and practical guidelines on discerning whether we are hearing from the Lord, ourselves, or the enemy, or whether we’re being influenced by others. This illustrates one of the great strengths of the book. Holland leverages his extensive experience in Christian ministry as both pastor and evangelist to provide many wise useful insights which are relevant both within the church and in the context of street ministry.
Bible study and biography
‘Prophetic Evangelism’ is an in-depth Bible study, but it is also autobiographical. The author shares personal stories throughout to connect what we read in Scripture with present-day reality. He does so with integrity and disarming honesty, describing the doubts, fears, risks and joys of evangelism in a way which those who have been on a similar journey will easily recognise as authentic. This includes an uplifting story of the Lord’s miraculous healing – his kindness and power transcending personal trepidation in the face of the seemingly impossible.
Although this particular event occurred within a church context, Holland also recognises the value of healing in evangelism. The author’s approach is refreshing for its lack of hype and the way he encourages us to view spiritual gifts as being available at any time of the Lord’s choosing – potentially the greatest risks and rewards being when we are willing to let him break in unexpectedly on our daily lives. Evangelism reveals Jesus and flows out of our relationship with Him.
The greatest risks and rewards are when we are willing to let him break in unexpectedly on our daily lives. Evangelism reveals Jesus and flows out of our relationship with Him.
Structure and production
In terms of its structure, the book starts with a reminder of the Great Commission and an exploration of different approaches to evangelism, before moving on to a study of the prophetic ministry in general and its specific use for outreach in Scripture. The final section addresses practical matters and encouragements, and is complemented by several appendices to illustrate examples of knowledge gifts in action and to suggest ways in which people may grow in experience and maturity. Four Bible studies conclude the book and refer back to previous material, for example, on how we can learn from Jonah’s unhelpful attitudes to his calling. The book’s production quality is also worth a mention. Packed with helpful diagrams and beautifully laid out, it lives up to the high standards set by CPI.
Paradoxically, the publication of ‘Prophetic Evangelism’ during the middle of the Covid-19 lock-downs may be timely. This is an appropriate opportunity to reflect once again on how the Lord might use us effectively in sharing his eternal Gospel with a desperately broken world.
‘Prophetic Evangelism’ (216 pp) is published by Christian Publications International and is priced at £12 + £1 p&p. A short interview with the author can also be viewed on the CPI website.
