"And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And seeing him they adored: but some doubted. And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world."
--Matthew, 28:16-20

Cool sentiments, seeing how it's Easter week and all.

"But some doubted." What, I wonder, did they doubt. Whether Jesus was the son of god? Whether the course he planned to undertake was wise? What? It's curious that the Gospel doesn't elaborate.

Ralph, seeing that this is right after the resurrection, I assume the doubters were wondering about how a man can rise from the dead. IMHO. What else?

Ok, so the Gospel ends with an evangelical _command_. And if the Gospel is true, it is an important truth for life that we should (if we are benevolent at all) want to share.

In light of the discussion last week about super-Christians, isn't it worth wondering how we should evangelize in this era?

Quite right. Without paying much attention, I had looked a few verses above and seen words describing the exchange of money. Not reading anything else, and missing the fact that the verse is in the last chapter of Matthew, I assumed that it was Judas who was being paid, and therefore, that Jesus and the disciples were in Gethsemani.

Still reflecting on doubt: It's reassuring to know that some of the apostles -- men who had seen Jesus perform many miracles -- upon seeing the risen Christ, doubted their faith.

Concerning how to evangelize: I mentioned this question to my mother, and she read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 to me.

"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."

Obviously some interpretation is required here, but Paul seems to be suggesting that the means to evangelize must be broad and varied. Personally, I prefer to share my faith with those who ask, and to live as an example (a goal I continually fall short of).

Interpretation is indeed needed. "Personally, I prefer to share my faith with those who ask, and to live as an example (a goal I continually fall short of)." I guess I try to do the same, but then compared to "evangelicals" this seems not like evangelism at all.

It occurred to me that evangelicals' style is more appropriate when dealing with people who have never heard the good news. But it is a liittle absurd and disrespectful to evangelize the same way with people who have heard yet don't believe, or at least don't live it out (especially since living it out is difficult, and the overly direct method makes it sound easy, like a spell or someting). imo

By style, I assume you have in mind cable networks, door-to-door evangelism, and the like. There is, I think, a place for such evangelism. I agree, however, that the gospel would be better served in the U.S., for instance, if more Christians simply acted in accordance with their beliefs, i.e., showing one's faith by works (James 2:18).

It seems they doubted, even when faced with him before their eyes, that he had really risen.

Ralph: I did not mean that by "style." I think both of those can be done in different styles.

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