As part of its Forum series, the Washington National Cathedral last weekend hosted Thomas Long, author of Testimony: Talking Ourselves into Being Christian, for a conversation about, well, conversation, and the role it plays in faith. More evangelistic models are better at “witnessing,” but mainline folks should see testimony just as central to their faith as worship is.
Long recommends worship as one way for more Christians to find their voices and identify common ground. He also encourages conversation. “Honest testimony does not sound like, ‘Hey, brother, are you saved?’” Long says. “It’s woven into the fabric of everyday conversation. It takes place at the breakfast table, it takes place on the subway, it takes place at work, it takes place in the classroom.”
Long does not favor stark demands that people believe. “There is no irrefutable proof of the Christian faith,” he contends. “There’s simply the trustworthiness of testimony. It began with those who came back from the tomb on Easter, it continued through the apostles, it carries on through preaching and worship, and it lives on in the community of faith.”
Christianity continues because someone had the courage to talk to others. “If Christians stop talking, then the Gospel stops spreading,” Long says.
The complete event is available as a video or as an mp3 here.