One Way? Notes from RIT Talk

by Travis Prinzi on December 9, 2006

Thanks to the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Rochester Institute of Technology for the opportunity to speak tonight.  I always love my time there with you.  You’ll find in this post further resources concerning our topic tonight.  In the allotted time, I was able to talk about Christ’s exclusive claims in our “inclusive” cultural atmosphere, but I wasn’t able to talk much about the actual process of evangelism.  The Tim Keller materials below are excellent on this subject.

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Becca December 9, 2006 at 11:03 am

I have to admit, I had never heard of you–and you just introduced your (alarming cuter than average) baby and sleep habits, gave your name and started in. As a communications student, I was very, “I dont know about his credibility..” But then you preached the Word as I havent heard it preached in a while–lots of Scripture and no comprimise. (so i turned to alexander and was like, “where did you GET this guy?!” in a good way.) The night before I heard a message with absolutely no Scripture..it was called “depth” and the young adults at a local church were going “deeper” but all we talked about was “recognizing our potential and reaching our dreams and finding our meaning..” they talked a bit about not yelling at people and being more accepting and not using a “bullhorn” with nonchristian friends and i decided that night that i would rather error on the side of bullhorn (new testament style) than “dude, thats coo..man…whatever you say is coo…”

anyways it was refreshing to hear you preach truth in a CLEAR fashion–it was very structured and i was impressed-only by the Spirit and the way he can use people to clearly state his message of love and truth and hope and peace and eternity.

thanks so much for taking the time to come. and yep–i think you have a cuter than average little girl–and i was a nanny for a while and am one of 7. so i’d know. :)

oh and im on a mac. mm.

Reply

Travis Prinzi December 10, 2006 at 12:33 pm

Hello, Becca, fellow mac user. Thank you for your very kind words. I was exceedingly grateful for the opportunity to speak. I spoke at RIT twice last year as well; I always enjoy my time with your fellowship.

One thing I did plan to say during my intro but which I forgot (because that cuter than average baby keeps me up every night, and I’m exhausted) was that you and the music team did a better than average (a LOT better than average) job with the music. It was gospel-centered, Christ-exalting, and it beautifully blended new and old. Love the way the hymns (Nothing But the Blood, O Come All Ye Faithful) were done. And musically, it was superb. Keep it up.

It is terribly unfortunate that so much “deep Christian” teaching these days sounds a lot more like psychological self-realization stuff rather than deeper and more profound explanations and implications of the gospel.

Check the link above for Tim Keller on evangelism. He strikes an incredible balance on evangelism that is caring and incarnational but that does actually challenge the beliefs of those around you and proclaims Christ.

Thanks again for your comments!

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Becca December 11, 2006 at 5:38 pm

I heard Tim Keller speak in his church over the summer. He is great. God has really blessed him and it blesses me to know others speak and benefit from the words God gives him to say.

Do you know him? (not Jesus, Tim Keller.)

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Travis Prinzi December 13, 2006 at 11:06 pm

I don’t know Tim Keller, no. I was hoping to go to this year’s Desiring God conference to hear him speak, but was unable. (the talk ended up online anyway).

I do hope to attend Redeemer next time I’m in NYC, which I try to make happen once a year.

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Peter Mottola January 23, 2007 at 3:34 pm

Travis,

Where should I send the file of your talk? Email me at peter mottola gmail com and I’ll send it to you.

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