Insight Editor Launches Online Evangelism Tool
By AT News Team, August 19, 2015: Omar Miranda, the editor of Insight magazine, the Seventh-day Adventist publication for teens, has personally launched an online evangelism tool for young people titled Amazing Grace.[1] The focus of the website is a version of the “great controversy” story—the origin of evil and God’s solution in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Miranda wrote the account as a response to questions posed by the youth with whom he was working.
The story is set in heaven when Satan returns to announce that humanity has fallen. In the exchange, Jesus reveals his intention to be born as a human, to die, and to be resurrected. A number of theological themes are addressed in this conversation—free will, pain, forgiveness, salvation and perfection, among others.
“The story was originally written in 2002 as an apologetic response to mostly middle-schoolers, teens and young adults’ questions, discussions, and aversions to God related to the existence of pain, evil, and suffering,” Miranda told Adventist Today.
“Over the course of my ministry, I’ve noticed that everybody struggles in some way with this issue,” Miranda shared. “We live in a world that’s filled with evil, pain and suffering. I think there’s enough pain and suffering in everyone’s life, that broaching this issue won’t be difficult at all.”
Miranda believes the website is well-suited for sharing with friends and people who are struggling. He explains: “This is a great tool for sending to a friend with a short blurb: ‘Hey, I finally know the truth about why evil, pain, and suffering exist in the world! Check it out!’ And include the link.”
Miranda told Adventist Today that people could have business cards printed with the website. “In the course of someone’s daily life and conversations, if the Lord impresses them, they could hand a person a card and encourage them to check out the site,” he shared.
Over time, Miranda hopes to expand the resources provided on the website. Currently, there are ten links to external websites where people may learn more about various themes covered in the primary story. “It’s my hope that as I find additional financial support and sponsorship, that I’ll be able to provide a dedicated blog with new content daily or weekly,” Miranda noted. Furthermore, he would also like to establish a forum or chat room, add additional audio and video testimonies, attach a downloadable PDF version of the story that could be sent to others as a stand-alone resource, publish a book in multiple formats (paperback, hardcover, audio), and produce a dramatic radio theater version.
“It’s my hope that this story and web-site will draw the reader to really think deeply and critically about who God is, and to search for Him in a deeper and more focused way,” Miranda explained to Adventist Today. “And I know that if they are searching for Him with all their hearts, they will find Him.”
[1] https://omarmiranda4.wix.com/amazinggrace
This is wonderful news!This is the rarest effort I’ve ever read to entice today’s young person to seek out more knowledge about Who Jesus is and why. You have a handle on understanding the mind of today’s youth, and what will appeal to them in today’s reading format. The young eyes and minds will probably flock to read and think, “I must know more about Jesus.’’ You listed excellent “things to do” on the Amazing Grace website to get to know Him better and to learn to love Him.
An interesting approach, but some might wonder if we are creating something of a new mythic approach with the creation of a new fictional narrative. I’m not suggesting that anything is wrong with myths–classic Adventism is based on a grand cosmic mythical narrative. Nor should we dislike fiction. There is, of course, the story of Jonah and the Great Fish. All that is being suggested here is that we might consider being out front about what is being suggested.
Are you saying to explain the symbols/metaphors? Jesus used story-telling all the time–some fiction as in the story of the Richman and Lazarus. I don’t think He usually explained the meaning of the stories but left it to the character of the people and the Holy Spirit to convict.
He also familiar concepts and images, even myths to teach.
There seem to be an ongoing onslaught of watering the gospel message to reach young minds, the gospel is powerful as it is and the Holy Spirit is still all powerful as he was on the day of Pentecost and from 538 -1798. If there was more love among us and more dependence on God, there will be no need to use “fiction ” to help people to understand the Good News Of Salvation.
Did you notice that on the Day of Pentecost the people heard the gospel in their own language?
Secular and young people need to hear the gospel today in their own language and terminology. Jesus used fiction in the story of the Richman and Lazarus. Stories were a major part of Jewish culture–everything used a story to teach valuable truths.
Some are just learning that, and as our founder said we should not deny new methods of evangelism.
Editor: please let us know when the business cards are ready. Why say this is just for young people–the whole secular world is open to this.
When you say “young people” I hope that doesn’t mean it’s too simplified.
On the day of Pentecost they heard the message in their own language because of the influence of the Holy Spirit . There were no props used only the plain message of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. We need to depend totally on God as we present the message . The word of God is powerful enough.
A closer reading will answer that for you….The business cards will be ready as soon as you have them made!