Weapons & Tactics: A Handbook on Personal Evangelism

by Jim Wilson

In the study of warfare, great men have concluded that there are some overriding principles which, if followed, will always tend toward success in battle, and if neglected or ignored, will tend toward defeat or even destruction. These principles have been entitled the "principles of war." But not all warfare is waged on a battlefield: every Christian is called to be a soldier. Our fight is against Satan, our objective is the acknowledgment and fulfillment of God's commands, and our ammunition is the power of the Holy Spirit. In Principles of War Jim Wilson outlines the time-tried, fundamental principles of war and explains how we can employ them in our daily spiritual battles as we fight a war which our commander in chief has already won for us. Jim Wilson has worked as a pastor and director of Community Christian Ministries (Moscow, Idaho) for over thirty-five years. Before that, he served in the Navy as an officer for nine years and then with Officer's Christian Fellowship for another twelve years. Jim has authored a number of books (including How to Be Free from Bitterness) and is well-known for his practical Bible teaching on relationships and evangelism. He and his wife Bessie have four children, fifteen grandchildren (one of whom is in heaven), and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Genres: Evangelism, Theology, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2012

About the author

Jim Wilson has worked as a pastor and director of Community Christian Ministries (Moscow, Idaho) for over forty years. Before that, he served in the Navy as an officer for nine years and then with Officer's Christian Fellowship for another twelve years. Jim has authored a number of books, including How to Be Free from Bitterness, and is well-known for his practical Bible teaching on relationships and evangelism. He was married to his wife, Bessie, from 1952 until her death in 2010, and is the father of four, grandfather of fifteen (one of whom is in heaven), and great-grandfather of twenty-five and counting.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Wilson is an amazing evangelist. He takes books on airplanes in a variety of languages and then just happens to be seated next to people who need the books in those languages. God blesses him with opportunities to share the Gospel everywhere he goes. Of course part of it is that Jim is driven to make disciples of every nation and everyone he comes into contact with either comes to Christ or is brought closer to him.

I would have given Jim's book five stars, except that he held back. He is so full of evangelistic information and is so Gospel driven that he could have written tomes on the subject. But he didn't. Its our loss.

What he did do however, was write a book full of Scripture, his love because it is God's Word, and if you read the book, looking up all the passages as you go and their context, and then thinking about what Jim said, it will seem like he wrote a tome. All great stuff. All bathed in the Bible. All written from a heart that loves God and loves people. Written by a man in his 80's who people often avoid because they know he's going to talk to them about their soul.

I'm proud to know Jim and only wish I was half the man he is.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, quick, short chapters on evangelism. I know some fellows who have no interest in evangelism and this isn't a book for them. I have other friends who devote their entire lives to evangelism and this also isn't a book for them. If you are a semi-normal Christian who has no problem evangelizing, or doesn't do it as often for one reason or another, (which means most of us) this is a good and helpful book to give you some proper planning and brotherly advice on the subject.

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Love everything I've read from Jim Wilson.

[Caleb Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would recommended Principles of War by the same author over this one. Much of the same content, but this one does expand on the “how”.

[Zack Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good follow up to Principles of War. It covers a lot of the how questions that might have been raised.

[Kin Wei · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part (weapons) was hard to read through, it's mostly made up of bible verses about all the different weapons we have to our disposal. That was the boring part of the book, because these weapons are "well known" by christians.
The second part of the book (tactics) is more interesting and have some insightful things.

Reading this book had made me reflect on myself: why did I think the first part is boring and made me skim through it? It's because I want ready-to-use tactics and tips instead of being immersed and changed by the word of God. That's good to know, because without the weapons, tactics won't help much.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost don't look at books on evangelism any more. Most of them seem to be filled with clever yet dumb techniques that would never work by authors who have grown up in the church and have no real idea how unbelievers think.

I liked this one, though. He extensively supports everything he says with scripture quotes. In fact, the first few chapters are so dense with scripture, I was questioning if the whole book was going to be almost nothing but scripture quotes, but he does moderate that once he has laid his foundation.

[Seth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solid theologically and biblically thorough, but extremely basic in its coverage on how to do evangelism. Still helpful, but I believe there are much more helpful books on how to do evangelism. Though I do appreciate the sincerity and godliness of the author. You can tell this man loved Jesus and people.

[Jerome Bushnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much like his other books on evangelism, Jim Wilson offers simple, biblical insight into the Great Commission accompanied by his experiences in the Navy. When you understand your arsenal and that battle plan, you can be more confident in your role on the battle lines.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim has a lifetime supply of insight on doing ministry and he grounds it all in scripture

[Raquel (Silver Valkyrie Reads)]

Likely a great book, but meant to be read after a different book I don’t have easy access too at the moment, and I finally decided it’s worth waiting.

[Sarah Kewley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t recommend this book enough! :) It is very encouraging and applicable. I love the stories Jim shared about sharing the love and truth of Christ. A book to read again every year!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully challenging read. Part f our ongoing leadership development curriculum at Redeemer Church.

[Emma R. Pilcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this after Principles of War. There seemed to be a bit of “the world is the devil’s playground” theme in the book. Overall though it’s a really solid book and I’ll be returning to it!

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great.