Incarnational and Informational

Question:
In reaction to the article on "Incarnational Apologetics" how does this approach impact the way evangelism is taught and acted out in daily life? How do you balance "incarnational" and "informational" approaches to evangelism? Is there a connection?

Answer:
I believe both are important to have. 2nd Corinthians 5:17 tells us that one of the effects of following Christ is “the old has gone, the new has come.” This speaks of a change and an “Incarnation” if you will for the message of Jesus. In Jude 1:3 we are urged by Jude to “contend for the faith.” In this we can find basis for why we must be “informational.” I think it is important that we keep a healthy balance of the two. It is very easy to spot the person who has nothing but knowledge and only wants to share how God created the world, Jesus was perfect, the Bible is infallible, and more. This person may have great intentions, but James tells us “faith without deeds is useless.” Surely we understand the other side of the spectrum doesn’t work either. It’s equally unhealthy to have only deeds and no knowledge of the foundations of our faith. My personal belief is God teaches us a lot when we do good deeds for the work of His kingdom. True religion isn’t something we have to defend. It is an action like James tells us. Do you ever think we are to busy reading a book to get the answer on how to defend our religious believes when the answer is maybe “to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”?