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Even If None: Reclaiming Biblical Evangelism
Are we still successful if our evangelism sees little or no conversions? How do we gauge our evangelism effectiveness, especially if it leads to hatred and societal ostracism? When did evangelism become so mushy and pragmatic, and how do we get back to a biblical approach?Western Christianity had a significant influence on the culture for several centuries. It is accustomed to “success” in some degree or another. Today it is no longer that way. When it comes to evangelism, what do we do in light of such circumstances? Modern evangelism is rife with gimmicks and the wisdom of man. It wasn't always this way, so what happened and where do we go from here? By looking at the Scriptures and church history, these are the questions answered in this book. Now more than ever we must trust in God’s Word—not only for how to do evangelism, but to know what will happen to those who evangelize.
- GenresEvangelismChristian
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 23, 2019
27 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Denton
7 books31 followersRyan Denton is a Presbyterian minister, evangelist, & church planter. He has published with RHB, DesiringGod, Founders Ministries, The Confessional Presbyterian, Heidelblog, and others. He has degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, St. John's College, University of New Mexico, and a Th.M from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. Follow him on X: @TexasPreacher
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 13, 2023
Even if None: Reclaiming Biblical Evangelism by Ryan Denton was a great short read and more than anything else challenge to fellow believers to be obedient to proclaim the Biblical gospel of repentance and faith. The Great Commission is not entirely about evangelism but it begins there, meaning, we cannot be obedient if we are not proclaiming and allowing God to get all the glory. He gives the increase. I also really enjoyed his section on pressup. I commend this!
March 31, 2024
R.C. Sproul famously said, “I am allergic to cowards.” The cowards he refers to are those who do not stand upon the authoritative and sufficient Word of God. Ryan Denton may be cut from the same cloth as Sproul in that regard.
Ryan Denton wants to give the Reformed evangelical world a strong dose of biblical evangelism. He approaches the often cited phrase that “even if one” were to be saved, all our evangelism efforts would be worth it in the end. He presses further and says that “even if NONE” are saved, it would still be biblical evangelism.
He argues that preaching the gospel “has a one hundred percent response rate.” Men will either hate it or love it. They will embrace Christ or deny Christ. The message will be an aroma to life or aroma to death (1Cor 2:16). But whatever we do, we must preach the biblical gospel. Biblical evangelism is about faithfulness not about fruitfulness.
He is writing to a particularly Calvinistic crowd to show that their theology is often not reflected in their orthopraxy when it comes to heralding the precious gospel. He says of Reformed Christianity, “once we leave the comfort of our books and living rooms and engage the culture with the gospel, suddenly we are a stench of death. We are no longer respected or considered intelligent. We realize the lost don’t care about church order or John Calvin. We realize we are the scum of the earth. In church, among other Reformed Christians, we are safe and respected. But hiding behind our church attendance and catechism is no replace for gospel proclamation to the lost.” (42).
Denton gives the reader a strong dose of the Bible and how the doctrines of divine sovereignty and unconditional election have fueled evangelists of previous generations such as Spurgeon, Whitfield, Edwards, and Lloyd-Jones. Denton has a well-crafted argument in his book that is backed by knowledge of Holy Scripture, familiarity with church history, and a heart for people. He doesn’t enter into this book challenging straw men but has walked the well-worn paths of godly men and women in the past who want to herald the gospel.
He touches on several topics that are very helpful for the Christian who needs a solid dose of the bigness of God in evangelism:
• Monergism vs. Synergism
• Presuppositional apologetics vs classical/evidential apologetics
• Safety vs. Suffering
• Legal topics vs. Illegal topics
• Persecution and Jail in the West
This book is not a how-to on sharing the gospel. You won’t learn the basics of the gospel, how to share, how to receive training as an evangelist, or apologist. Instead, this book is a sustained argument for biblical evangelism. Denton is showing the theology of evangelism of why we must proclaim and explain instead of try to persuade and manipulate. His approach of biblical, confrontational, strong, non-friendship evangelism, non-seeker-sensitive approach, and “scandalous” approach will offend those who are looking for a so-called “balanced” approach. He writes this scathing evaluation of modern churches today when he says,
“The Western church today has become emasculated by comparison [to the early Church’s gospel witness]. Our fangs are gone. We have become timid and effeminate. Christians don’t fit into such a mold [mold of early-church gospel witness], boldly proclaiming the gospel.” (80).
He reminds the readers that “the Christian church in the West has forgotten the positive impact of scandal. In attempting to accommodate our evangelism to the culture, we have lost the appeal of being a savor of death to the dying (2Cor 2:16). As noisome as such an odor is, it is still going to cause an awareness of the gospel, whether or not it is believed” (81). He goes on to say, “we are soft. WE don’t like confrontation. We don’t like discomfort, whether physically or emotionally. Perhaps this is why the modern church emphasizes being winsome when evangelizing” (87).
He addresses why we must evangelize even against the laws of the land that forbid proselytization saying, “For us to cease sharing the gospel simply because the authorities demand it would be to repudiate the primary source that God has always used to shower His riches across the earth. It would eliminate the means that God has always used to save the lost. It would remove the source that God has always used to build His church. The reason why liberal churches so often decline in numbers is because, quite simply, they don’t evangelize” (149-150).
Denton is a careful student of Scripture and history. But he is also a well-read man citing generously from John MacArthur, Will Metzger, Ernest Risenger, Jeremy Walker, Cornelius Van Til, Greg Bahnsen, Charles Spurgeon, and many other godly men who were committed to presuppositional apologetics and a high view of God, the Word, and the biblical gospel. Perhaps Jeremy Walker’s, Brokenhearted Evangelist and John MacArthur’s, Ashamed of the Gospel, establishes much of Denton’s fiery and excellent book.
Get this book to put fire in your bones and marvel when God raises the dead to new life. A good companion to this book would be Biblical Apologetics by Cliff McManis. Ryan Denton has also written an excellent book The Reformed Evangelist where he argues to formalize the office of evangelist in the church.
Ryan Denton wants to give the Reformed evangelical world a strong dose of biblical evangelism. He approaches the often cited phrase that “even if one” were to be saved, all our evangelism efforts would be worth it in the end. He presses further and says that “even if NONE” are saved, it would still be biblical evangelism.
He argues that preaching the gospel “has a one hundred percent response rate.” Men will either hate it or love it. They will embrace Christ or deny Christ. The message will be an aroma to life or aroma to death (1Cor 2:16). But whatever we do, we must preach the biblical gospel. Biblical evangelism is about faithfulness not about fruitfulness.
He is writing to a particularly Calvinistic crowd to show that their theology is often not reflected in their orthopraxy when it comes to heralding the precious gospel. He says of Reformed Christianity, “once we leave the comfort of our books and living rooms and engage the culture with the gospel, suddenly we are a stench of death. We are no longer respected or considered intelligent. We realize the lost don’t care about church order or John Calvin. We realize we are the scum of the earth. In church, among other Reformed Christians, we are safe and respected. But hiding behind our church attendance and catechism is no replace for gospel proclamation to the lost.” (42).
Denton gives the reader a strong dose of the Bible and how the doctrines of divine sovereignty and unconditional election have fueled evangelists of previous generations such as Spurgeon, Whitfield, Edwards, and Lloyd-Jones. Denton has a well-crafted argument in his book that is backed by knowledge of Holy Scripture, familiarity with church history, and a heart for people. He doesn’t enter into this book challenging straw men but has walked the well-worn paths of godly men and women in the past who want to herald the gospel.
He touches on several topics that are very helpful for the Christian who needs a solid dose of the bigness of God in evangelism:
• Monergism vs. Synergism
• Presuppositional apologetics vs classical/evidential apologetics
• Safety vs. Suffering
• Legal topics vs. Illegal topics
• Persecution and Jail in the West
This book is not a how-to on sharing the gospel. You won’t learn the basics of the gospel, how to share, how to receive training as an evangelist, or apologist. Instead, this book is a sustained argument for biblical evangelism. Denton is showing the theology of evangelism of why we must proclaim and explain instead of try to persuade and manipulate. His approach of biblical, confrontational, strong, non-friendship evangelism, non-seeker-sensitive approach, and “scandalous” approach will offend those who are looking for a so-called “balanced” approach. He writes this scathing evaluation of modern churches today when he says,
“The Western church today has become emasculated by comparison [to the early Church’s gospel witness]. Our fangs are gone. We have become timid and effeminate. Christians don’t fit into such a mold [mold of early-church gospel witness], boldly proclaiming the gospel.” (80).
He reminds the readers that “the Christian church in the West has forgotten the positive impact of scandal. In attempting to accommodate our evangelism to the culture, we have lost the appeal of being a savor of death to the dying (2Cor 2:16). As noisome as such an odor is, it is still going to cause an awareness of the gospel, whether or not it is believed” (81). He goes on to say, “we are soft. WE don’t like confrontation. We don’t like discomfort, whether physically or emotionally. Perhaps this is why the modern church emphasizes being winsome when evangelizing” (87).
He addresses why we must evangelize even against the laws of the land that forbid proselytization saying, “For us to cease sharing the gospel simply because the authorities demand it would be to repudiate the primary source that God has always used to shower His riches across the earth. It would eliminate the means that God has always used to save the lost. It would remove the source that God has always used to build His church. The reason why liberal churches so often decline in numbers is because, quite simply, they don’t evangelize” (149-150).
Denton is a careful student of Scripture and history. But he is also a well-read man citing generously from John MacArthur, Will Metzger, Ernest Risenger, Jeremy Walker, Cornelius Van Til, Greg Bahnsen, Charles Spurgeon, and many other godly men who were committed to presuppositional apologetics and a high view of God, the Word, and the biblical gospel. Perhaps Jeremy Walker’s, Brokenhearted Evangelist and John MacArthur’s, Ashamed of the Gospel, establishes much of Denton’s fiery and excellent book.
Get this book to put fire in your bones and marvel when God raises the dead to new life. A good companion to this book would be Biblical Apologetics by Cliff McManis. Ryan Denton has also written an excellent book The Reformed Evangelist where he argues to formalize the office of evangelist in the church.
March 12, 2024
If the whole American church read and responded to this book, that would be good. Solid exhortation on evangelism and bold proclamation of the word rather than pragmatism.
It's definitely a challenging book and gives a call to evaluate and change some things for me.
Detracted one star because the author is quite repetitive and could have been edited down 20ish pages.
It's definitely a challenging book and gives a call to evaluate and change some things for me.
Detracted one star because the author is quite repetitive and could have been edited down 20ish pages.
April 16, 2020
A very excellent yet very challenging book that helps to clarify the motives and methods for evangelism. It is a book that would be very helpful for any Christian to read to have a better and clearer view as to what biblical evangelism really is.
November 17, 2021
I'm not going to pull any punches ... this is the best book on evangelism which I have read. Denton starts with the correct theological starting point and therefore the rest of his flow is logical, biblical, and heartfelt.
October 13, 2023
A great book on evangelism. Pastor Denton does a great job in explaining how the Reformed church has failed in it's duty to fulfill the Great Commission. We need to reclaim biblical evangelism if we want to see revival in our land happen.
June 2, 2020
Reformed. Biblical. Unapologetic. Bold. Challenging. Covenantal. Not an ounce of pragmatism. This book is for the faithful, not for the careful.
March 28, 2023
Incredible book on evangelism from a Reformed perspective. Theology matters when we evangelize because it affects the way we evangelize and understand how God saves souls.
August 3, 2024
Seriously one of the best books on WHY to evangelize I’ve read. Robustly biblical. God-centered.
A rich book to turn fearful evangelists into men of granite.
A rich book to turn fearful evangelists into men of granite.
April 23, 2024
If you read this book, you will either need to ignore and suppress its Biblical teaching, or it will entirely change your life. My hope and prayer is that for me, it will prove to be the latter. If the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, then I need to be preaching (and sharing) it not only in my local church, but everywhere. But let's be honest: it's easier to step on some toes than others. Those who sit in the pews of our churches are asking for bold, biblical proclamation of the truth. They want to be challenged and confronted by God's Word. But the message is not only for them; it's also for those who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God shall call to Himself, and as the Canons of Dort explain, our duty is to share the gospel promiscuously - with anyone, anywhere, at any time. Will we heed our Lord's call and obey Him, or will we hide our light under a basket, keeping it within the local congregation? May God give us courage and boldness to not only give lip service to evangelism, but actually to practice it.
June 25, 2024
“But even if none are saved, the most important thing of all is guaranteed - Christ’s name is being preached, and hence, Christ receives glory.”
“When we evangelize for the sake of God’s glory, not ‘the one,’ such “love for God and Christ will induce, yes compel, God’s child to devote himself wholeheartedly to the spread of the Gospel””
This book has challenged my pride of ‘getting it right’ and fear of ‘failure’ when it comes to sharing the Gospel. Everyone reacts to the Gospel, and those reactions are in the sovereign Hand of God. May my highest concern be clearly, passionately, and lovingly sharing the words of Christ my Savior: “repent and believe!”
This book has fanned the flame of God and His glory in my heart. And it has encouraged me to share the Gospel in love and faith - giving Him the glory due His name and trusting His sovereignty over salvation.
“When we evangelize for the sake of God’s glory, not ‘the one,’ such “love for God and Christ will induce, yes compel, God’s child to devote himself wholeheartedly to the spread of the Gospel””
This book has challenged my pride of ‘getting it right’ and fear of ‘failure’ when it comes to sharing the Gospel. Everyone reacts to the Gospel, and those reactions are in the sovereign Hand of God. May my highest concern be clearly, passionately, and lovingly sharing the words of Christ my Savior: “repent and believe!”
This book has fanned the flame of God and His glory in my heart. And it has encouraged me to share the Gospel in love and faith - giving Him the glory due His name and trusting His sovereignty over salvation.
April 17, 2025
Required Reading - IMO
Encouragement. Focus. A single eye. As sinners saved by grace, we must be ready, willing, and able to gospel the Gospel at all times and places, leaving the soil, fruit, and growth in God’s capable hands. This short book truly is a treasure in aligning our hearts and minds with God’s Word. We are understandably fearful in evangelism, however, in Christ’s perfect love, He “casts out fear”.
Encouragement. Focus. A single eye. As sinners saved by grace, we must be ready, willing, and able to gospel the Gospel at all times and places, leaving the soil, fruit, and growth in God’s capable hands. This short book truly is a treasure in aligning our hearts and minds with God’s Word. We are understandably fearful in evangelism, however, in Christ’s perfect love, He “casts out fear”.
April 20, 2020
Amazing! Greatest book on evangelism I’ve ever read. I’d recommend it more than J.I. Packer’s just because of the climate change in the West. May God use it for His glory and all our evangelism efforts. It’s definitely a sweet reminder and ever line was underlined with either conviction or encouragement.
All glory be to God alone.
All glory be to God alone.
September 28, 2023
A breath of fresh air, a convicting and encouraging clarion call to biblical evangelism, a clear denounciation of unbiblical evangelism, all founded on a robust faith in the sovereignty and providence of God, not man. Read it, Christian, and let’s go out there and share the gospel for the only audience that matters at the end of the day: God, fully expecting God to bless our efforts.
June 9, 2024
Not a huge fan of the book although I follow certain concerns. I think the logical flow shifts into a sort of extreme presup that is troubling.
There is no question about the boldness needed in sharing the gospel but how one does that does matter immensely.
I also found other statements made throughout the book interesting.
There is no question about the boldness needed in sharing the gospel but how one does that does matter immensely.
I also found other statements made throughout the book interesting.
Want to read
February 12, 2023Said to be “one of the greatest books on evangelicalism” by James Dorman
April 16, 2025
Convicting
June 11, 2025
A convicting and encouraging read. A must read for anyone who claims Christ as their savior.
September 2, 2022
This book was very helpful to me. The way the author biblically defines evangelism and expands on how to effectively do it was so beneficial to me. This book has become one of the most important books on the subject of evangelism.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews