‘Won to Christ’. A Facebook ad that will make Christians shudder

March 10, 2011 in Social Media

Really?

Thanks Andrew, for pointing this out to me. What a shocker.

As a friend commented:

“Thinking this through, I think that there is a more sinister side to this – the trap of attracting attention to *me* so that God can be glorified – what we really want with our deceitful hearts (Jer 17:9) is glory for ourselves. And social media makes this possible. The way that Reinhold Bonnke signs all of his updates with REINHOLD BONNKE is to me the clue here, and the ad doesn’t help. Instead we should be a generation passionate for the glory of God alone.

IMO it’s the same trap as wanting to be rich so that you can help God be generous – what our deceitful hearts really want is to be rich. Instead we should be seeking the Lord’s kingdom and trust Him to meet our needs – Luke 12:22. I know this one – I’ve been there myself.”

Here’s the link to the Facebook page for Reinhold Bonnke.

  • http://www.joannamuses.com/ Joanna

    That did make me shudder when I saw it on facebook. So very many problems with that.
    - It is God who does the saving, not a person.
    - These are people they are talking about, not trophies for an evangelist
    - The number of people who demonstrate a solid, long term commitment to Christ tend to be a small fraction of all who respond at crusades. That makes his numbers deceptive.

  • Roger Harris

    A man who is sure of his calling and has a clear revelation of Christ in Him, the hope of Glory – often appears arrogant to others who dont have this revelation. Anyone who knows Reinhart Bonnke knows that He is the first to give glory to God, I find the statement something to praise God for,and this was my instinctive response, not to praise the man! What foolishness to think he is boasting in himself?. Jesus himself was considered arrogant by the religious people of his day. He had a boldness and athority that astounded and offended. That same Jesus is in us today!

  • Steven Kryger

    1. every Facebook post is signed off with his name.
    2. his Facebook ads promote that he has won 54 million people for Christ.

    Would Billy Graham have done that? More to the point, would Jesus?

    Would Jesus have used Facebook to say ‘saved a Samaritan woman today – up to 300 so far!’

  • http://germworks.net Jermayn

    Click on it…. Better one of us clicking on it and Reinhold Bonnke getting charged than some poor sap clicking it!

  • http://www.kurrajongbaptist.org.au Chris Cullen

    I’m always tempted myself to be critical. Isn’t that the easy option though? I don’t know a lot about Reinhard Bonnke but I think I’d rather give a fellow believer the benefit of the doubt. This could be a person who genuinely cares about people who are lost and is trying something new to reach them. Maybe he’ll change his approach down the track – I’m sure I’ve done a lot of things in the name of Christ and for the gospel that I now wish I had done differently.

  • http://www.roblincolne.com Rob

    I think I just got very nauseated maybe even threw up in my mouth a little. I’m repulsed. I don’t think you could ever be too harsh criticising a 5-start shocker of an ‘ad’. Maybe it could be called an ‘anti-ad’? Or a ‘lower the profile of Jesus’.. I mean was this ad written by someone who hates Christians maybe? I can only assume. #justsaying

  • Dr S. Carrol

    I often wonder why things happen the way they do? I wonder if it is important to just sell Jesus or to bring people to maturity? Certainly most can agree that changes need to be made. We work to end starvation. Today some 14,000 people will starve to death needlessly, not because there is not enough food, but because food is used like a weapon. Now, if the 54 million led to Christ are resolved not only to John 3:16, but lean more toward I John 3:16 then leading 54 million to Christ is a good thing as they will work to end starvation, homelessness, work with those that are sick or in prison. A work of the Holy Spirit stands the test of time and is consistent. A work of a familiar spirit will lead people to the great falling away. It is in part our salvation to make sure it is a work of the Holy Spirit and not aid the great falling away. One thing interesting even with Billy Graham is that only about 4% stay with the faith after two years.