Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod!wuarchive!psuvax1!ukma!seismo!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: arm@Neon.Stanford.EDU (Alexander d Macalalad) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Soul winners Message-ID: Date: 15 Jan 91 09:44:28 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Computer Science Department, Stanford University Lines: 21 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article bwood@su1b.uucp (Barbara Wood) writes: >Those of us still here have the responsibility to not only worship God >but also to be a SOUL WINNER! The first time that I heard the phrase "soul winner" (not too long ago) there was something that immediately disturbed me about the phrase. I couldn't quite put my finger on what was disagreeable, but now that I see it here I think that I am able to discern it more clearly. What bothers me is the implication that we have the ability (and here Barbara claims we have the responsibility) to "win souls" and turn them back to God. I have enough problems with my own salvation without having to worry about saving others. I don't mean that to sound selfish. I try to be as loving to others as I can, and I try to bring the gospel to others by living it in my life. But ultimately the decision to turn back to God rests with each individual. I guess I like better the image of the disciples being called to be fishers of men. Here, the "fish" must make the first nibble to be saved. Alex Macalalad