An antidote to Christian coyness

American Airlines pilot Angelo Keane (not his real name) had just returned from a mission trip in Costa Rica. He was fired up. Many of us know this feeling. Going to the frontline and seeing lives transformed by the gospel is enough to inspire even the most reluctant Christian to get more involved in seeking the salvation of others. Captain Keane was anything but reluctant.

Back at work, Angelo had wondered how he might apply his evangelistic zeal. He had an idea – a rather innovative one. As Flight 34 took off from Los Angeles headed for New York the captain welcomed the passengers over the PA and then announced: “Ladies and gentlemen, would the Christians on board today please identify themselves by raising their hands.” Keane then urged the rest of the passengers to use the four-hour flight to discuss Christianity with those who had identified themselves. He added that he would be keen to discuss the faith with any who were interested.

The response was not what he had hoped for. Passenger Amanda Nelligan recalls that in the course of his announcement Captain Keane called non-Christians ‘crazy’ for not believing in Christ. His words, she said, “felt like a threat”. The reaction of others was similar. In the wake of September 11 people were worried this might be a veiled warning: become a Christian now ‘cos you might not make it home tonight! Fearing the worst, several on board even tried to call relatives on their mobile phones before crew members assured them everything was going to be fine.

Of course, everything was fine. Angelo Keane just wanted his passengers – quite a captive audience – to know about Jesus and he was willing to do whatever he could to achieve that. American Airlines spokesman Tim Wagner later said Captain Keane’s announcement “falls along the lines of a personal level of sharing that may not be appropriate for one of our employees to do while on the job”. One of my best mates is a Qantas captain and a Christian and he says this is quite an understatement!

I completely understand the sentiment of Captain Angelo Keane. There have been many times when I have seriously contemplated addressing a bus load of fellow passengers or interrupting the table next to me in a restaurant or preaching to a packed cinema. I have not yet acted on any of these urges. Fortunately (for the unsuspecting public!), my desire to tell crowds about Jesus is somewhat satisfied by frequent invitations to be involved with organised evangelistic events.

Nevertheless, the keen-ness of Captain Keane to speak to others about Jesus and to urge fellow believers to do the same, pointedly raises a question many of us ask. Some ask out of zeal, others out of fear: what, when and how does the Lord expect me to tell others about my faith? The answer – like the question – is multifaceted. For now, let‘s reflect on one clear passage about the speaking role of all Christians.

This wonderful passage, from the great apostle Peter, tells us many things about the Christian’s privilege of speaking for Christ.

The context of Peter’s words suggests that answering for the faith is a matter of allegiance to Christ as the true Lord. Peter’s logic is as follows: when you suffer for living out your faith, do not fear the power which frightens and motivates most of the citizens of the Roman empire; instead, remember who the real emperor is and live and speak accordingly. The command ‘set apart Christ as Lord’ is the basis of the exhortation, ‘be prepared to give an answer to everyone’.

The words ‘set apart Christ as Lord’ might seem a strange thing to say to those who already believe in Christ – until we realise that the title ‘lord’ (kurios) was the first century way of referring to the Roman emperor. Immediately, then, Peter’s statement takes on a rather subversive force.

Believers are to associate the title kurios not with the name ‘Nero’ (the emperor at the time) but with ‘Christ’. This is a powerful call to sure up one’s allegiance to Jesus, to fear him and no one else. It is in this attitude of renewed loyalty that the rationale to answer for the faith is found.

There are all sorts of reasons Christians might feel coy about mentioning the faith to others: fear of being labeled ‘fundamentalist’; a craving to fit in with friends; personal shyness; a mild insecurity about the credibility of Christianity; a fear of saying something theologically incorrect or socially inept; an overly-negative impression of how unbelievers perceive Christianity and so on.

Actually, this last reason is very common. Somehow, many of us have come to believe most non-Christians think Christians are weird. This inferiority complex is a novelty in Christian history and even today is found only in the West; Asian or African Christians are blissfully unaware one is meant to feel embarrassed as a follower of Christ! It is true our media occasionally portrays Christians as ‘odd-ball’. But in reality, the world’s view of Christians is far less negative than we suppose.

When in the company of Christians, we all talk freely and unconsciously about ‘God’, ‘prayer’, ‘church’, ‘Bible’, ‘Jesus’ and so on. These words are not forced; they are a natural part of our real world. However, when in the company of those who do not share our faith, suddenly all such talk disappears. Such intentional quietness is unnatural. I propose that believers allow their faith to rise back to the surface where it belongs. We should let what is real within us find verbal expression, regardless of who is listening.

Whatever the causes of Christian coyness, the antidote is a renewed vision of Christ’s lordship over all. Our bosses, parents, friends and the media do not rule heaven or earth. If for a moment we could lift the curtain of heaven and see ‘the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God’ (Acts 7:55), all our embarrassment would vanish in an instant. We would see things as they really are, with God and his Messiah at the helm. One day, this curtain will indeed lift. Until then believers are to live as those who know what lies behind the veil.

This doesn’t mean we must all become ‘evangelists’ but it does mean that, in an attitude of fresh allegiance to Christ as kurios (Emperor), we must never hide our faith and must always be willing to answer for Christ when opportunity invites. Loyalty to Jesus motivates openness about him.

John Dickson has a Ph. D. in Ancient History from Macquarie University and holds the position of Honorary Associate in the Department of Ancient History, Macquarie University. He also has an honours degree in Theology.

Such intentional quietness is unnatural. I propose that believers allow their faith to rise back to the surface where it belongs. We should let what is real within us find verbal expression, regardless of who is listening.

This doesn’t mean we must all become ‘evangelists’ but it does mean that, in an attitude of fresh allegiance to Christ ...

Thanks sionnsar, great article. I try to remind myself Jesus says if I am ashamed of Him, then He will be ashamed of me.

Yes, this is important to remember, and I beg God's forgiveness every day for not speaking up more about my faith.

I guess the key is "knowing your audience" to a certain degree, too. Some people respond better to direct confrontational evangelism, others to more subtle things (like for instance I'll send a birthday card to a person with a Christian message even though I might not approach them directly and say "are you saved?").

I know a lady whom I wish I could emulate more, who can get someone to say the salvation prayer with her in less than five minutes! She is so full of exuberance and joy for Christ.

Oh Lord, give me the wisdom to know when to be a sower, when to be a reaper, and when to just "work the soil" for Your Kingdom.

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