Mark Galli of Christianity Today is reporting that the oft quoted Francis of Assisi quote, "Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words" was NEVER uttered by the monk.
I've heard the quote once too often. It's time to set the record straight—about the quote, and about the gospel.
Francis of Assisi is said to have said, "Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words."
This saying is carted out whenever someone wants to suggest that Christians talk about the gospel too much, and live the gospel too little. Fair enough—that can be a problem. Much of the rhetorical power of the quotation comes from the assumption that Francis not only said it but lived it.
The problem is that he did not say it. Nor did he live it. And those two contra-facts tell us something about the spirit of our age.
I have always disregarded what men say, especially in a witty quip form. One verse in Romans 10 refutes that little quip, regardless who may have said it.
Posted by: Rick Frueh | May 27, 2009 at 06:37 AM
A man tells another man that he must get to the only bridge to safety. He also tells him to tell others about the bridge as he goes himself.
The man starts walking toward the bridge. As he goes he is friendly, he helps bandage a bruised knee, he gives a dollar to a beggar, he donates 100 dollars to a relief fund, and he makes a good impression through his journey.
As he gets across the bridge the first man asks about the whereabouts of the other people and why they were not with him. The man replies "I thought they were all following me, I was setting a good example".
Posted by: Rick Frueh | May 27, 2009 at 06:47 AM
I forgot where I recently saw this corollary, but how about:
Take a bath daily; when necessary, use water.
Posted by: Bob McDowell | May 28, 2009 at 10:36 AM
I agree with Rick Frueh on the idea that I disregard many quotes of men- or at least try to get them in context. I don't mean that I don't put value in what anyone says or that I never quote theologians or famous people from history. But their name can only take them so far.
For example, I think that Martin Luther was a brilliant theologian and I like much of what he says. But any time I speak of him when using his words to prove something I want to say, I have to at least be aware that he also thought we should burn down synagogues because the Jews were to blame for all the evil in the world.
Likewise, Christians quote people like Thomas Jefferson, who clearly didn't believe in orthodox Christianity, and Albert Einstein (who I don't know ultimately what he believed about God, but I know that theists and atheists find it easy to quote him).
In that vein, the value of what someone has said can only get us so far. This quote we are talking about that has been attributed to St. Francis (which I had learned in seminary that he didn't say, just as Rene DesCartes never said "I think therefore I am.") falls under the category of being a bad quote, no matter who it came from. John Stott, quoting Ghandi, made the point that people aren't going to convert to Jesus because of a Christian doctor (Ghandi's statement, which Stott takes further, as follows) who gives medical care to someone as a missionary in India apart from that doctor ever sharing the message of the gospel.
I was in New Orleans last week talking to a rather "emergent" fellow who told me first that his co-worker at a mission we were working at was an atheist; and then he went on to say that he believed "the Jesus stuff but not in the need for organized religion" because his "actions [at the mission] showed what he believes about Jesus." This is a typical emergent church idea (and generally young/liberal idea). But just before telling me that his works spoke about his faith he told me that his co-worker is an atheist. When I asked him what her works spoke to, since she did the same work and didn't believe in Christ, he was kind of left speechless. The point was made; works apart from word do not convey the message of salvation by Jesus Christ.
Posted by: Michael J. Bridge | June 02, 2009 at 11:52 PM
The Gospel is spoken and heard:
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from HEARING, HEARING THROUGH THE WORD OF CHRIST.
Act 4:4 But many of those who had HEARD THE WORD believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
Rom 10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never HEARD? And how are they to HEAR without someone PREACHING?
Eph 1:13 In him you also, when you HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
Col 1:3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
Col 1:4 since we HEARD OF YOUR FAITH in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
Col 1:5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have HEARD BEFORE IN THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL,
Col 1:6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing--as it also does among you, since the day you HEARD IT and understood the grace of God in truth,
1Th 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH YOU HEARD FROM US, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
1Jn 2:7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is THE WORD YOU HAVE HEARD.
The reason so many love the notion of "live it" rather than "proclaim it" is that it means less hassle, less offense, and more acceptance by everyone. Proclamation by word and exemplifying true faith by life are BOTH required by true Christians.
Of course,now there's eve "mime evangelists"!
Here's another myth: Augustine said, "in essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity." See: http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/jod/augustine/quote.html
Posted by: Denise | June 10, 2009 at 06:08 PM
Though I agree with the fact that this quote can be used negatively to say that some Christians are too "preachy" and need to live it out instead of preach it out, I believe we need to find the truth in it regardless of author.
For me this is a challenge to NOT ONLY preach the gospel with words regularly, but to make my every thought and action of my daily life a testament and witness of the power of Christ Jesus in me. So that then, when I do preach the gospel with words, they carry such a weight that the HEARER recognizes it to be TRUTH!
Posted by: Justin Dudney | June 25, 2009 at 04:07 AM
although there is definitely a call to proclaim the gospel. I think that you will find, that living the gospel and living in relationship with those whom christ came to save, is much, much harder than "proclaiming." Christ did not proclaim simply in words. In fact much of the religious oppression he faced, came at the hands of those who felt that he was too friendly with the sinners. I have lived both, and it is far easier to "proclaim" than it is to live in, love, and be honest. Not preaching, but living in confession...there is a difference. BTW, I have no problem with preaching. I too am in seminary...I just have seen far too much of drive by gospel. The west is overwhelmed with it and by it.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1540887686 | December 14, 2009 at 09:55 AM