Why I like this tract<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\nBottom line \u2013\u2013 this is a well-designed tract. Its theology is sound and the overall presentation thought-out. Now, let\u2019s dig into the details.<\/p>\n
Right away, the tract distinguishes shame from honor. It describes several facets of honor and shame that draw from the universal human experience.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/576\/2018\/03\/Screen-Shot-2018-03-16-at-1.54.54-PM-1024x338.png\")
<\/p>\n
Honor Restored is extremely clear. The presentation divides into five main sections.<\/p>\n
\n- \u00a0The Beginning<\/li>\n
- \u00a0The Problem<\/li>\n
- \u00a0The Solution<\/li>\n
- \u00a0Our Response<\/li>\n
- \u00a0The Result<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
The problem is well defined: \u201cWe rebelled against our creator. We sought glory apart from God and dishonored him.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/576\/2018\/03\/Screen-Shot-2018-03-16-at-2.06.10-PM.png\")
It helpfully states death is the ultimate state of shame, a point often overlooked by many.<\/p>\n
The above picture demonstrates a wonderful aspect of this tract. Honor Restored keeps the community in mind. Instead of depicting the lone individual estranged from God, the art subtly shows our alienation from each other. Shame undermines all our relationships.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/576\/2018\/03\/Screen-Shot-2018-03-16-at-2.11.00-PM.png\")
Christ saves us<\/em><\/strong>, not merely me<\/em>.<\/p>\nAs you\u2019ll note, the developers mix familiar verses with passages less often found in evangelistic tracts. Pulling from both the NT and OT, users of Honor Restored have multiple options if they want to take friends and family to specific biblical texts.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/576\/2018\/03\/Screen-Shot-2018-03-16-at-2.17.53-PM.png\")
I love the various ways the tract describes our response. Rather than merely saying \u201cfaith,\u201d which is so prone to misunderstanding, an array of phrases clarify what is a saving response to Christ. For example,<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must turn away from seeking our honor and trust God\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cComplete trust\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEmbrace Jesus with complete loyalty and trust\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cReceive God\u2019s honor\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nWhat about \u201cthe prayer\u201d?<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\nMost tracts append a \u201cprayer of salvation\u201d to the end of its presentation. I\u2019m not a fan of such prayers since they don\u2019t, in fact, save people and even mislead people who think a formulaic prayer secures God\u2019s blessing.<\/p>\n
Well, Honor Restored includes something that resembles a \u201cprayer of salvation.\u201d But it ever so slightly differs from many other tracts. It never says that the prayer will save you. It simply invites people to use the prayer to \u201cexpress the desire of your heart\u201d to have God remove our shame and give us honor.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m glad for even this slight modification. Many people will overlook the omission. However, I hope they don\u2019t misrepresent the prayer when using the tract with others in conversation.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/576\/2018\/03\/Screen-Shot-2018-03-16-at-2.29.41-PM.png\")
Sharing in Jesus\u2019 Honor. Restored. Include. Honored. Simply beautiful.<\/p>\n
When the developer asked for feedback on this tool, we discussed the possibility of adding John 17:22 to this last page. However, some non-believers might be confused by Jesus praying to God his Father. And a conversation about the Trinity might not be the best opening. Fair enough. I like their choice of passages, especially Isaiah 61:3. So rich!<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, I close this section with John 17:22 because it summarizes the above page so well. Jesus himself prays,<\/p>\n
\u201cThe glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
A Review of \u201cHonor Restored\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\nA brief word is necessary to provide context for my comments. After looking at it, some people might be surprised with my endorsement. So, I\u2019ll explain.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonor Restored\u201d is an introduction<\/em> to the gospel. Period. Like any tract, it can only do so much.<\/p>\nIf you\u2019ve read One Gospel for All Nations<\/em><\/a>, you know the biblical writers consistently any of three major themes to frame their gospel presentations. They are creation, covenant, and kingdom<\/a>. These framework themes are fundamental to the gospel. All other related images and motifs are explanatory themes<\/em><\/a> (e.g., atonement, family, redemption, etc.), which highlight the significance of the gospel.<\/p>\nNo, this tract does not emphasize Christ\u2019s kingship. Nor does it touch on every aspect of an honor-shame perspective. But that was not the purpose of its designers.<\/p>\n
No one, whether inside and outside of Cru, will not suddenly use this tract simply because it exists. Some workers are accustomed to The Four Spiritual Laws<\/em> and other law-based presentations. They might even be suspect of anything that uses honor and shame. Therefore, the developers of Honor Restored produced an excellent tool people will be comfortable using yet without compromising by merely using superficial honor-shame language.<\/p>\nThis tract will grab people\u2019s attention. It is easy to use and will spur constructive gospel conversations. That\u2019s reason to get excited.<\/p>\n
Other evangelistic tools using honor and shame<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\nYou might be interested in a few other resources that use honor and shame to share the gospel. Here are a few examples.<\/p>\n
The Creator King<\/a><\/p>\nThe Promises of God (long version<\/a>, short version<\/a>)<\/p>\nHonor-Shame Reference Bookmark<\/a><\/p>\nThe Father\u2019s Love Gospel Booklet<\/a> (based on Luke 15:11\u201332)<\/p>\nDo you want face?<\/a> (video)<\/p>\nHow does god seek \u201cface\u201d? <\/a>\u00a0(video)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nThe problem is well defined: \u201cWe rebelled against our creator. We sought glory apart from God and dishonored him.\u201d<\/p>\n
It helpfully states death is the ultimate state of shame, a point often overlooked by many.<\/p>\n
The above picture demonstrates a wonderful aspect of this tract. Honor Restored keeps the community in mind. Instead of depicting the lone individual estranged from God, the art subtly shows our alienation from each other. Shame undermines all our relationships.<\/p>\n
As you\u2019ll note, the developers mix familiar verses with passages less often found in evangelistic tracts. Pulling from both the NT and OT, users of Honor Restored have multiple options if they want to take friends and family to specific biblical texts.<\/p>\n \u201cWe must turn away from seeking our honor and trust God\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cComplete trust\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEmbrace Jesus with complete loyalty and trust\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cReceive God\u2019s honor\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Most tracts append a \u201cprayer of salvation\u201d to the end of its presentation. I\u2019m not a fan of such prayers since they don\u2019t, in fact, save people and even mislead people who think a formulaic prayer secures God\u2019s blessing.<\/p>\n Well, Honor Restored includes something that resembles a \u201cprayer of salvation.\u201d But it ever so slightly differs from many other tracts. It never says that the prayer will save you. It simply invites people to use the prayer to \u201cexpress the desire of your heart\u201d to have God remove our shame and give us honor.<\/p>\n I\u2019m glad for even this slight modification. Many people will overlook the omission. However, I hope they don\u2019t misrepresent the prayer when using the tract with others in conversation.<\/p>\n When the developer asked for feedback on this tool, we discussed the possibility of adding John 17:22 to this last page. However, some non-believers might be confused by Jesus praying to God his Father. And a conversation about the Trinity might not be the best opening. Fair enough. I like their choice of passages, especially Isaiah 61:3. So rich!<\/p>\n Nevertheless, I close this section with John 17:22 because it summarizes the above page so well. Jesus himself prays,<\/p>\n \u201cThe glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n A brief word is necessary to provide context for my comments. After looking at it, some people might be surprised with my endorsement. So, I\u2019ll explain.<\/p>\n \u201cHonor Restored\u201d is an introduction<\/em> to the gospel. Period. Like any tract, it can only do so much.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve read One Gospel for All Nations<\/em><\/a>, you know the biblical writers consistently any of three major themes to frame their gospel presentations. They are creation, covenant, and kingdom<\/a>. These framework themes are fundamental to the gospel. All other related images and motifs are explanatory themes<\/em><\/a> (e.g., atonement, family, redemption, etc.), which highlight the significance of the gospel.<\/p>\n No, this tract does not emphasize Christ\u2019s kingship. Nor does it touch on every aspect of an honor-shame perspective. But that was not the purpose of its designers.<\/p>\n No one, whether inside and outside of Cru, will not suddenly use this tract simply because it exists. Some workers are accustomed to The Four Spiritual Laws<\/em> and other law-based presentations. They might even be suspect of anything that uses honor and shame. Therefore, the developers of Honor Restored produced an excellent tool people will be comfortable using yet without compromising by merely using superficial honor-shame language.<\/p>\n This tract will grab people\u2019s attention. It is easy to use and will spur constructive gospel conversations. That\u2019s reason to get excited.<\/p>\n You might be interested in a few other resources that use honor and shame to share the gospel. Here are a few examples.<\/p>\n The Creator King<\/a><\/p>\n The Promises of God (long version<\/a>, short version<\/a>)<\/p>\n Honor-Shame Reference Bookmark<\/a><\/p>\n The Father\u2019s Love Gospel Booklet<\/a> (based on Luke 15:11\u201332)<\/p>\n Do you want face?<\/a> (video)<\/p>\n How does god seek \u201cface\u201d? <\/a>\u00a0(video)<\/p>\nChrist saves us<\/em><\/strong>, not merely me<\/em>.<\/p>\nI love the various ways the tract describes our response. Rather than merely saying \u201cfaith,\u201d which is so prone to misunderstanding, an array of phrases clarify what is a saving response to Christ. For example,<\/p>\nWhat about \u201cthe prayer\u201d?<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n
Sharing in Jesus\u2019 Honor. Restored. Include. Honored. Simply beautiful.<\/p>\nA Review of \u201cHonor Restored\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n
Other evangelistic tools using honor and shame<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n