Dr. Couch, how would you interpret 2 John 10 about not receiving into
your house, and greeting one who does not hold to "the teaching"? And,
should Evangelical Christians do door to door witnessing? Is this today
seen as "pressure" tactics?
Any method of spreading the gospel is legitimate, however any method may
not always work, in every occasion, at all times. Times and culture
change. It used to be that street evangelism would be effective but
today this is not so. Some years back I was constantly begged to hold
home Bible classes that were used for evangelism. They worked! I
probably did over twenty years time about 200 classes in homes, with a
total of many thousands who came, and with hundreds accepting Christ as
their Savior. But today, you could not get ten neighbors to come to your
house to hear God’s Word. I think personally the problem is a hardening
of heart of our population. God is closing down America to the sound
presentation of the truth.
I believe 2 John 10 is indeed about those who attempt to come to your
house and present a "religious" message that is not about "the teaching
of Christ" (v. 9). This would certainly include the cults. The point
about not receiving them into your home and not giving them a greeting
needs to be explained. I do not allow the cult folks into my house. The
"greeting" idea is about giving one who comes to your door a warm
welcome/greeting as a fellow brother. You can certainly say "hello"—that
is not what John is talking about. But I then send the cult guy on his
way and do not give him a hearing.
I have tried in the past to use the moment to witness to cultic folks,
but this rarely works. They come on the offensive and block out what you
have to say.
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
