Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.
Chapter 1 ”The Message: God's Plan of Salvation” major ideas: Seven doctrines to help a person to see his need and see how he can be saved:
1. All have sinned. Doctrine and Presentation
2. Penalty of sin is death. Doctrine and Presentation
3. Heaven is a perfect place. Doctrine and Presentation
4. You cannot obtain perfection yourself. Doctrine and Presentation
5. Christ paid the sin debt you can use His perfection. Doctrine and Presentation
6. All man must do is Believe and Receive. Doctrine and Presentation
7. Eternal life is eternal. Doctrine and Presentation
Critical evaluation of major ideas.
1. Good information, good truths but awkward presentation and inadequate introductions. If the first two chapters of a book don't introduce you and capture you, the rest won't be bothered with. (Unless, of course, it is required reading for a college course.)
  1. The only introduction to the book, per say, is the title which implies the intended audience to be those who would learn to do personal evangelism. It needs more development. Somewhere there should be an introduction that gives the aim of this handbook.
  2. The introduction of the chapter does not address the intended audience, which I assume to be more more mature Christians, nor does it properly introduce the chapter's direction. It is choppy and unpointed.
  3. The material structure of first presenting doctrine then the presentation methods is excellent, but the balance between them is not that good. The organization of the doctrine presentations is often scattered and the presentation methods are often underdeveloped.
2. In the last paragraph of the first section the author states “always keep the issue between the Bible and him, not between you and him” and this is so true and applicable that it should be given further development in this section.
  1. We live in a mentality of 'designer truth' debate wherein you have your truth and I have my truth; what may be truth for you is not truth for me; I am glad you found your truth. To contend this thinking the Bible, not what we believe, should always be our spearhead..
  2. Debate often (always?) turns to what you believe vs what I believe and we must always remember what I believe, or what my pastor believes isn't worth a hoot; it all hangs on what God says, what the Bible says.
3. In the third section the author states that “This body was never created to live forever.” but with a little thought and Biblical research I am sure he would retract that reasoning and fix that statement..
4. In the forth section the author states that “Satan does not want the lost to sin.” but with a little thought and Biblical research I am sure he would retract that reasoning and fix that statement.
Implications of the major ideas
1. The seven points the author is trying to describe and give presentation tips for are classic essentials to a plan of salvation
  1. Their structure is followed in almost all gospel tracks, and is appropriate for this hand book.
  2. Their grasp is missing in all cultic and modernist soteriology, and it is not to early to bring up that important note.
2. The first paragraph states that a person needs to first understand the plan of salvation, from the Bible and nothing else until he gets saved. Such a strong statement needs some qualifications.
  1. Bob Poormon did not and would not grapple with the plan of salvation until he became convinced, intellectually, that Noah and the Ark was possible and real. When convinced, “a light came on inside which said the Bible was true,” he began attending Church and got saved under evangelistic preaching.
  2. Dave Bandahee did not and would not grapple with the plan of salvation until he became convinced that the book was believable, with weeks of instruction on how we got our Bible.
  3. Countless engineers that I worked with had some trivial hangup about Jonah and the whale, feeding of 5000, world floods, Cain's wife, raising the dead, the birth in Bethlehem, etc. etc., that had to be addressed before they would listen to the plan of salvation and they made this abundantly clear.
  4. In this students experience, in a day when the Bible is not generally known, believed, nor trusted there is often other Biblical issues that need to be addressed prior to detailing the plan of salvation. Consequently an ongoing interaction is more applicable for soul winning than the nab-m and grab-m techniques that worked so well in the 50s-n-60s.
3. The seven doctrines of salvation, as presented are foundational and certain, but today, in America, people have got to dig down through so much sand before finding the solid ground to use as a foundation that we must help some with sand-digging before we lay such a sound foundation on their sinking sands. This truth should be given equal emphasis in this first, introductory chapter.
4. The Memory Verses for Chapter One are excellently applicable. They are::

Ro 3:23, Tit 2:14, Eph 2:1, Joh 3:16, 1Jo 3:2, Joh 6:28,29, Ga 2:16, Ro 5:8,9,10,11, 2Co 5:21, Tit 1:2, 1Pe 2:24, Ro 6:23, Mr 10:45, Re 21:27, Joh 1:1, Ro 4:5, Ga 3:22,23,24,25,26, Ro 11:6, 1Jo 5:10,11,12,13, 1Pe 3:18, Isa 64:6, Heb 10:10,14, 2Pe 3:13, Joh 6:47, Eph 2:8,9, Php 3:9, Ro 3:28, Ac 13:38,39, Isa 53:6

Negative Critique of Chapter II pg 8 “Eternal Life”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.,

Chapter 2 “Eternal Life” Major Ideas
1. Eternal life is not a separate doctrine from salvation.
  1. This concept is briefly introduced.
  2. The concept is well illustrated with three excellent illustrations about the drowning man.
2. Eternal Security is essential ingredient to real salvation
3. Salvation is not by works and eternal life staying eternal is not either.
Critical Evaluation
1. For a book entitled 'Handbook' this chapter starts out with an inadequate introduction that does not clarify exactly what the subject matter is nor who the audience is. At times it seems to address the lost or even heretic rather than the soul winner, discipler, or new convert. This makes it difficult to follow as it bounces around spending much effort trying to convince naysayers, which would not likely be reading a handbook on personal evangelism.
2. The methodology of chapter 1, whereby the author presents the doctrine then the presentation techniques, is, unfortunately, abandoned for this chapter. The result is that this chapter has little or no structure, flow, or organization. It should be rewritten in the previous format.
3. In the first section of this chapter the author introduces concepts about being 'a member of the body of Christ' and a 'Christian's sanctification' without previous explanation of what happens, and what does not happen at the time of salvation. Perhaps an explanation the major salvation transaction, to include conversion, regeneration, justification, indwelling and becoming a member of the body of Christ, at redemption would be in order, and then the discussion of ones sanctification can be appropriately dealt with separately.
4. Philippians 3:9 is somehow inserted into the argument here with the caustic challenge “Who would dare say Christ's righteousness isn't good enough for heaven?!?” The author does not develop where this fits into an argument for eternal security or eternal life, and the challenge seems out of place.
5. In the paragraph where 1John 5:10-13 is brought into the argument the author has another caustic accusation for the reader accusing God of being a liar. Again, a little over the edge for a handbook with a disciple as the target.
6. The closing illustration is very shallow. A closing illustration needs more depth to keep pace with the excellent opening illustration.
7. The last paragraph seems to implies that effort should be extended to talk a new convert into eternal security. There have been many 'professed' believers talked into eternal security by mans logic and not by the Holy Spirit's presence. If the redeeming was real the eternal security will be there without coaxing. A warning about talking someone into security should be included here.
Implications of the major ideas.
1. Relationship/Application of ideas to today: The truth that eternal life is eternal and is in the salvation package as a present tense possession is relevant to all generations.
2. How will material help? The material in this chapter would help most if it were reorganized into a well thought out and structured format and presented to an audience that would be reading a “Handbook of Personal Evangelism” with techniques, methodologies of communication and more warnings about easy-believism and the once-saved-always-saved errant mentalities.

Negative Critique of Chapter III pg 11 “Chastening and Rewards”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.,
Abstract or Major Ideas.

God chastens as a Father.
God forgives sin but there will still be natural consequences to sin.
God severely chastens for recommitted sin.
The “secret” to “Christian Victory” is obedience.
God WANTS to do things for His children but He cannot reward EVIL.
Instructions for a New Christian: Study your Bible, Pray, Meet together with other Christians, Tell others how to be saved.

Critical Evaluation.
1. The author presents a heavy handed foreboding side of having a new heavenly Father watching over us which likely has no place in a “Handbook of Personal Evangelism.” If included, such content should be in a secluded closing section of the handbook dealing with Christian rebellion and certainly not in the introductory material addressing a new relationship with a heavenly Father.
2. In the introducing paragraph the author supposes that not making the chastening of God clear “can keep a person from wanting to trust Christ as his Saviour.” This statement has no logic and no support given.
3. The authors 3^rd and 4^th paragraphs dangerously exalt Confucianism to a level parallel with Christian discipline and Godly chastening, making Christianity more like a religious discipline and motivational power of positive thinking while ever distancing it from the indwelling of a Holy God. This section and its negative discourse is dangerous and should be removed from the handbook. If a motivation for soul winning is desired here Professor Lewis' section on four fold love fit here very appropriately.
4. The second half of the first section BEGINS to lighten up and present a somewhat positive side to having a rewarding holy Father, but it never quite reaches the truth of Christianity. The Father is generally presented as a foreboding manipulating parent punishing disobedience and rewarding obedience, with the punisher aspect thoroughly covered first. The section never does establish that God himself INDWELLS us to give us victory over sin and motivation to follow him.
5. In the closing portion of the chapters first section there is a first mention of a “Spirit controlled, useful life.” This is paramount but it is lost in a shot gun like scattering of motivational jargon that strives to make some sort of conclusion to the section.
6. Overall it seems that Satan is presented as the overcomer rather than the one who is overcome.
7. The good truths entitled “Instructions for New Christians” are lost in the ending of the chapter that is overpowered with the topic of God's chastening, when the latter should have been the whole theme and title of this chapter.
Implications of major ideas:
1. Landmark is presenting this handbook as exemplary while it has these major flaws. This chapter particularly is entirely too negative about a new relationship we have with a heavenly Father. He is not hanging over us to zap us when we do wrong He is indwelling us to empower us to do right. The latter is not once addressed in this chapter.
2. But for the little portion at the end, dealing with “Instructions for a New Convert” I have no idea how this material will help in a “Handbook of Personal Evangelism.” The whole chapter needs to be reworked and re-evaluated by Landmark before using it in this regard.

Negative Critique of Chapter IV pg 17 “The Messenger”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.,
Major Ideas
1. Your Testimony
  1. If people find that you lie, cheat, steal, speak in an uncouth manner, gossip, are inconsiderate of others, etc. you will not be liked, and you will do GREAT HARM to your ministry ... People will look at your life and say, “If that is an example of Christianity, the I don't want it.”
  2. As a soul winner, you will probably “give up” things that the average Christian wouldn't even question.
  3. If you want to be a great soul winner, you must be a great servant.
2. Your Bible.
  1. Desire the sincere milk of the word.
  2. God's word is power.
  3. Use the Scriptures.
  4. How to study your Bible ... LOOK UP THE PASSAGE IN OTHER GOOD TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE. SOME ARE ... AMERICAN STANDARD, WILLIAMS and AMPLIFIED! ... Really?
  5. Select a Bible with CLEAR PRINT. Is this really the most important?
3. Your Love. ... I love the Lord, Don't you?
Critical Evaluation
1. The author seems excessively critical and negative about a new life in Christ whereby you receive a new and superior power to overcome sin and become a vibrant witness for the Lord. In this section guilt, rather than love, is relied on as the prime motivator. In Dr. Lewis' lecture, the emphasis has properly been on “the love of Christ constraineth us” Man made guilt can be a tremendous motivator, but it is always temporal. It should not be the motivator in a handbook.
2. In Jesus' relationship with his disciples they ceased being servants and became friends when He had told them all things. The author portrays a relationship whereby you must endure being a servant so you can become a soul winner, ... is there no other relationship with God to be desired?
3. In the area of Bible study the author removes any relationship with the Church which is commissioned for “teaching them all things whatsoever I have commanded you;” he eliminates the Pastor who is supposed to watch out for your soul, and he substitutes instead, of all things, various versions of the Bible and various commentaries on the Bible. Dr. Stanford appears, at this point in his writing, anti local Church, and anti King James Bible. It many not be the case, but it is communicated by omissions in this section.
4. I would have to say that I totally disagree with the ideas presented in this chapter, more so with the negative, self aptitude, self fulfilling motivational attitude with which they are presented. A testimony is important but the love of Christ should constrain us more than a motivational desire to be the soul winner of the month.
Implications of major ideas:
1. Your testimony is indeed important if you are to fulfill your calling to be witnesses for Christ. Gaining a testimony, however should be about our love not our guilt and certainly not ones desire to be a high achiever.
2. This material appears to this student as more dangerous than helpful, more negative than Christ honoring..

Critique of Chapter V pg 24 “The Opening and the Close”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.,
Abstract or Major Ideas
1. Hints and Helps on Opening a conversation about Christ
2. Keeping your approach genuine
3. Four things to help overcome fear of witnessing
  1. Knowledge of Scriptures
  2. Successful past experiences
  3. Being around others who witness
  4. Prayer
4. Unique conversation openers and techniques
5. The close and invitation techniques
Critical Evaluation
1. This was an excellent presentation of techniques to open, maintain genuineness, conduct, and close a fruitful soul winning conversation.
2. Each of these areas was given good and adequate introduction, illustration and coverage.
3. A closing caution about generating man made assurance was overdue and could have thus been given more attention.
Implications of major ideas:
1. Relationship/Application of ideas to today: these are excellently applicable and eternal truths.
2. How will material help? The techniques of this section will help overcome ones natural aversion to being an outspoken witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Critique of Chapter VI pg 32 “Repentance”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.,
Abstract or Major Ideas
1. The Importance of Repentance.
2. The Meaning of Repentance.
3. Passages on Repentance Explained.
4. Using Repentance in Witnessing.
Critical Evaluation
1. The emphasis on repentance and the explanations herein were excellently developed and provide a tool to prevent a soul winner's slide toward an 'easy believism' mentality. As pointed out in class, there is not really a 'hard believism' counter, but there is ever present the persuasive person who would coerce a decision without Holy Spirit involvement nor true repentance present.
2. Conclusions follow the arguments? The issue of repentance was well developed in argument, scripture and presentation.
3. Agree with ideas presented? Profoundly agreed.
Implications of major ideas:
1. Relationship/Application of ideas to today. The propensity for a school of soul winners to 'button hole' prospects and not release them without leading in a 'sinners prayer' so they get a 'notch in their belt', makes this coverage of repentance very applicable.
2. How will material help? Understanding true repentance can help prevent a propensity to coerce decisions that are not genuine.

Negative Critique of Chapter VII pg 35 “Lordship Salvation”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.,
Abstract or Major Ideas:
1. CHRIST; the SAVIOUR
2. CHRIST; the LORD
3. The Issues Involved
4. Consideration of Romans
5. Reasons for not teaching Lordship Salvation
Critical Evaluation
1. The authors caustic, one sided attack of a fictitious crowd that preaches his version of a 'Lordship Salvation' is unwarranted and inaccurate.
  1. This student has lived in this debate for 15 years and has never seen in print nor in argument any of the concepts that this author reports as this 'accursed teaching.' The author needs to references his contended arguments to real spoken or written errors or they will remain just fiction and figments of an overactive imagination. The teaching of 'Lordship Salvation' is not accurately presented here.
  2. The author develops a straw man presentation that would make a “Lordship Salvation” doctrine a cursed thing, and he makes those who hold it just as cursed. He only presents a very simplified, ill conceived, even ignorant presentation of what such a doctrine might be.
  3. The real concept of 'Lordship Salvation' was Biblically argued and presented because a school of 'easy believism' was awash rejecting Biblical repentance, which the author argued so well in the previous chapter, and using a '1-2-3-Pray-After-Me' approach to soul winning. The emphasis of a 'Lordship Salvation' doctrine is not, never was, and should not be fabricated to be, a doctrine of works salvation which the author causticly curses, but a doctrine opposing those who reject repentance (change of direction) and want a 'ticket to heaven' while rejecting a new Lord of their life.
2. The authors caustic, unlearned rejection of a such a fictitious doctrine of 'Lordship Salvation' has prevented him from addressing the real danger in this realm, those who would desire a Saviour, as a free 'ticket to heaven,' but reject having a new Lord of their life. In this students experience that rational is prevalent, (especially in teenagers who don't want to go to hell but don't want to give their life to the Lord until they have sinned a little more; they will eagerly pray a little prayer to get a ticket, but wholly reject the Lordship of Christ) and the author, on his tirade, has completely missed the point of the whole principle. A costly error for a supposed handbook.
3. Conclusions follow the arguments? None of the conclusions follow the arguments nor bear weight because the arguments are a false pretense.
4. Agree with ideas presented? Obviously not.
Implications of major ideas:
1. Relationship/Application of ideas to today. Not addressed in this discourse is the real realm of the error, that rejecting Biblical repentance, and rejecting the Lordship of Christ brings about a multitude of false professions of faith by those who want a ticket to an eternal heaven but no changes in their life here on earth.
2. How will material help? This material will hinder. It curses a fiction as if it were real and draws away from, and even promotes, the real error, that of dividing a saving Lord, from a Lording Lord.

Negative Critique of Chapter VIII pg39 “Faith Without Works”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.,
Abstract or Major Ideas
1. James 2:14-24 Seems to contradict what we believe about justification and works.
  1. James 2:14-24 is written to believers not unbelievers.
  2. James 2:14-24 is written to believers for instruction on conduct.
  3. Thus James 2:14-24 can be dismissed with a verse by verse consideration of what we want it to say.
2. If a person refuses this dismissal of the literal rendering of James, keep them in Romans 4 and Ephesians 2:8 and 9 until they ignore what James says.
Critical Evaluation
1. The author continually approaches James 2:14-24 to explain what James could not be saying because we refuse to believe it.
  1. A cardinal rule of exegesis whereby the literal sense is preferred is continually rejected.
  2. In James 2:17 the author even stoops to saying that in the Greek the word “dead” does not really mean “dead.” This is pathetic, subversive, and apostate.
  3. In James 2:20 the author rationalizes that James' address to the vain believers (obviously pretenders who are actually unsaved) is a reference to their service being vain, not their salvation being vain. This brazen stretch is necessary because the author fails to distinguish between a declarative justification of Romans, and a demonstrative justification here in James.
  4. In James 2:24 the denial of the literal reaches a climax of bizarre rationalization. Someone needs to help this doctor out of such denial and dismissal of Scripture's literal statements. When we stoop to dismissing Scripture because we cannot understand it we should not be writing a handbook.
2. Conclusions follow the arguments? These arguments are so mislead and shallow the only conclusion is that this author should not be addressing this subject in a handbook on personal evangelism.
3. Agree with ideas presented? Obviously I disagree with the authors approach to dismissing what James is literally saying because it does not seem to fit into his belief system. A dictionary opened to the word 'justify' would easily avoid this whole tom foolery. There is a declared justification as used by Paul in Romans, who obviously parroted James' previous discourse; and there is a demonstrated justification as used by James to divide 'pretend believers' from real believers as he pastored the First Baptist Church of Jerusalem.
Implications of major ideas:
1. Relationship/Application of ideas to today. This author is not capable of explaining away what James is teaching and his attempt is audacious. Please do not include this chapter in a handbook of personal evangelism without major revisions.
2. How will material help? I can hope that the inept dismissal of Scripture exemplified in this chapter will open the eyes of thoughtful students critiquing this chapter. Other than that, the material of this chapter should be jettisoned as soon as possible.

Negative Critique of Chapter IX pg 43 “Water Baptism”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.
Abstract or Major Ideas
1. The word Baptize was transliterated not translated, so the author supposes it means “cleansing” and devises 6 types of meanings to insert as he sees fit where ever he finds the transliterated word. (None of his definitions include immersion, the real meaning of the word.)
2. Mark 16:16 is not water baptism it must be “cleansing” because otherwise it would confuse the authors position against works salvation.
  1. Being water baptized cannot relieve condemnation so this cannot be water.
  2. This MUST be Spirit baptism because it just cannot be water.
  3. God does the cleansing so this cannot be water.
  4. This verse probably should not even be in your Bible so it cannot be water.
3. Acts 2:38 is not water baptism it must be “cleansing” because otherwise it would confuse the authors position against works salvation.
  1. Acts 2:38, which says “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” should, according to the author, who thinks baptize means 'cleanse', actually say “Then Peter said unto them, Change your mind, and be CLEANSED every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (page 44 5th para from bottom!)
  2. When people were 'cleansed' in Christ they received the Holy Spirit, not when they were baptized so in this verse baptized has got to mean cleansed.
4. Acts 2:411 is not water baptism it must be “cleansing” because otherwise it would confuse the authors position against works salvation.
  1. Three thousand people could not possibly get baptized in Jerusalem in one day, there is not enough water in all Jerusalem to get that done.
  2. When baptism does refer to water, not here though, it means 'fully wet.'
5. John 3:5 does not contain water baptism because it is not in the context nor literal rendering.
6. In 1Peter 3:21 “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” baptism does not mean baptism and save does not mean save. You just need to trust the authors Greek to see that “sozo” does not here mean salvation, and you just need to read the authors previous explanations to know that baptism does not mean immersion.
7. To witness to those who believe in water baptism for salvation:
  1. Use Ephesians 2:8-9
  2. Emphasize the plan of salvation
  3. Explain 'believe.'
  4. Explain there is no condition other than to believe.
Critical Evaluation
1. Are points argued with good reasoning? Absolutely not. The author uses poor reasoning, inept definitions, faulty logic, non literal renderings and even tries to pitch Mark 16 out of the Bible. Who could agree with that.
2. Conclusions follow the arguments? The conclusion that salvation is not by water baptism is valid but the authors argument that baptism does not really mean immersion but actually means 'cleansing' is baseless and Baptist apostasy.
3. Agree with ideas presented? His final section on how to witness has some merit but by the time one gets through all his Scripture twisting and dismissing there is little consolation.
Implications of major ideas:
1. Relationship/Application of ideas to today. There is a need to contend for the faith through a systematic understanding of these verses that seem to connect baptism to salvation, but Dr. Stanford is not to be trusted with the task.
2. How will this material help? This material will help in no way that I could imagine.

Critique of Chapter X pg 48 “Evolution”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.
Abstract or Major Ideas
1. Winning an argument about evolution could loose you an opportunity for presenting the gospel, proceed objectively.
2. Definitions are improtant.
3. Arguments that defeat a belief in evolution:
  1. Theory is less than, or only, a theory; there is no proof; none.
  2. No missing links.
  3. No origination of matter.
  4. Violation of second law of thermodynamics.
  5. No ladder of creation.
  6. There is actually a fixity of species.
  7. Their Horse model is balderdash.
  8. Fossils muck up evolutionists theory.
  9. Rock strata is fiction.
  10. Natures delicate balance contradicts evolutionists theories.
  11. Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny.
  12. Mitosis confounds the evolutionists theory
  13. The development of the eye confounds evolutionists theory
  14. For the sake of the evolutionist's Jurassic period theory, we can twist around and compromise our interpretation of a six day creation to pretend that the evolutionist are at least right about the millions and millions of years that they purport to invent their theory. After all we do not want to offend their scientific thinking, just because the Bible says all things that were created, were created in SIX days!
4. The Bible Says:
  1. God created plants.
  2. God created animals.
  3. God created man.
  4. God created heaven and earth
  5. God created everything.
5. When evolution comes up in soul winning, answer it quickly, not necessarily thoroughly, and get back to the main thing, God's plan of salvation.
Critical Evaluation
1. Points argued with good reasoning? The author stays on course, keeps the main thing soul winning and presents excellent disarming arguments. The horrid exception comes when he twists and denies Scripture to reject the six day creation and appease the evolutionists need for a Jurassic period. Shame on him for abandoning the six day creation and bowing to their pressure on one foolish point, just because C.I. Schofield and Peter Ruckman bowed that way.
2. Conclusions follow the arguments? The conclusion of keeping the soul winning message paramount while disarming arguments of disbelief is well argued and presented.
3. Agree with ideas presented? These are excellently presented ideas that have my full agreement,... except for his 'gapping' folly on the Jurassic period
Implications of major ideas:
1. Relationship/Application of ideas to today. Since this generation has been indoctrinated into evolution since kindergarten, this chapter presents very applicable and necessary presentation techniques,... except for the compromise in the Jurassic period stuff.
2. How will material help? This material will help by keeping soul winning the main thing and evolution arguments on the back burner.

Chapter XI pg 54 “The Atheist and Agnostic” Critique

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.
Abstract or Major Ideas
1. Critical attitudes and pseudo pious people are common but despise of dark ages, crusades, superstition, and anti-intellectual climate can give us common ground.
2. Be kind courteous and maintaining high standards, not giving them cause to further disregard Christianity.
3. God's existence
  1. Creation
  2. The Bible
  3. Unsubstantiated negative
  4. Answered prayer.
4. Bible is Believable
  1. Thus saith the Lord
  2. John Wesley says.“If good men wrote it and then claimed that God did, they were liars and not good men, if bad men wrote it, they condemned themselves, and bad men don't do that. God wrote it” 2Tim 3:16
  3. Fulfilled Bible prophecy makes the Bible believable. John 14:29
  4. The Jew makes the Bible Believable
  5. What is not in the Bible makes the Bible Believable. Fables of Hindu, Egyptians, Greeks' Atlas.
  6. God's thoughts are higher than mans' thoughts ... Plan of Salvation itself makes the Bible Believable
  7. A compliation of 66 books by 40 people over 16 centuries makes the Bible believable
  8. The Bibles teaching of the influence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God makes the Bible Believable.
  9. The scientific accuracy of the Bible makes the Bible Believable.
  10. The detailed promise and delivery of the Messiah makes the Bible Believable.
  11. The dead sea scrolls makes the accuracy of the Bible Believable.
  12. The acid test of endurance make the Bible Believable
Critical Evaluation
1. Points argued with good reasoning? There is a wealth of information well presented in this chapter and it is well argued. The introduction is sketchy and in outline form, not effectively dealing with the why of this presentation of the material, “Evangelizing the Atheist and Agnostic.”.
2. Conclusions follow the arguments? There is no conclusion of the chapter that would bring the information concerning the proof of God and the accuracy of the Bible to bear on the Atheist and Agnostic in an evangelism effort. The direction and purpose of the “Handbook of Personal Evangelism” is thus thwarted. Tips and appropriate application to evangelism needs to remain the emphasis in each chapter. This chapter seems incomplete and unconcluded without it.
3. Agree with ideas presented? The material presented was excellent and I am in full agreement with the ideas and its necessity. .
Implications of major ideas:
1. Relationship/Application of ideas to today. I would suppose that atheism and agnosticism are more rampant and pertinent subjects in soul winning today than they ever were. A brief study of history would prove me wrong, they have pertinent since the fall of man.
2. How will material help? When I add my own tips for how to use this information in soul winning the compilation of the 'proof texts' for God and His Word are very valuable.

Critique of Chapter XII pg 59 “The Jew”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.
Abstract or Major Ideas
1. Dr. Stanford starts this chapter with no introduction but with a list of 16 suggestions for witnessing to a Jew.
2. There is a short but rich explanation of Orthodox Judaism which includes insightful tips on reaching them.
3. A section on Conservative and Reformed Judaism very aptly presents their departure from Orthodox Judaism in 15 points. These are richly supplied with examples for reaching this group.
4. A section on Messianic Prophecy presents ample Scripture to differentiate the two comings of the Lord and gives an excellent commentary on the use of Isaiah 53 for reaching the Jew.
5. A section called “Presenting the Gospel returns the emphasis to the main point, that of clearly presenting the plan of salvation to any people. The emphasis on the messiah brings out specific attributes more applicable to reaching the Jew.
6. A final section on Additional prophecies concludes the chapter. The 15 bulleted list of Scriptures if followed by suggestions for their application and use.
Critical Evaluation: The organization of the material presented was adequate but for the lacking of a good introduction and conclusion.
Implications of major ideas: The material was well researched and included adequate information for being an effective witness to the Jew.

Critique of Chapter XIII pg 67 “The Roman Catholic”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.
Abstract or Major Ideas
1. The chapter begins without introduction presenting “Your Common Ground” in 4 points.
2. A section called “Grace and Works” delineates the major difference between Catholicism and Scriptural salvation.
3. A section addressing the fact the Jesus paid for all sin reveals the Catholic mindset toward original, venial, and mortal sins and how to deal with it.
4. A section “How Can We Be Cleansed of Sin” adequately addresses the differences in a Biblically true cleansing and a Catholic attempted cleansing.
5. The section “When the Priest Offers the Sacrifice of Mass” adequately covers the error of Catholicism in this regard and focuses on winning a Catholic to Christ's complete sacrifice.
6. A pseudo section, not properly broken off from the last section, gives a lengthy 11 point coverage of “But For Your Own Information” pg 69-72
Critical Evaluation
1. The chapter contains no introduction nor conclusion.
2. The “But For Your Own Information” contains a wealth of info that should have been used in introduction to exactly what Roman Catholicism is, prior to dealing with how to reach one, and rather than adding it as an afterthought.
3. The Catholic Bible is not addressed at all and their unwarranted addition of the apocryphal books and especially the Latin Vulgates mistranslation of Priest, Penance, and Predestination for Elder, Repent, and Ordain are excellent tools in pointing out their perpetual error.
Implications of major ideas: The material herein is excellently suited for reaching the Catholic from his error.

Critique of Chapter XIV pg 74 “20^thCentury Protestantism”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.
This Chapter has no organized introduction nor conclusion
The misleading statement that Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, and Wesley lead the Church “back to the fundamental teachings of the Word of God” is downright anti-Baptist!
The distasteful open sarcasm used on pg 75 is second person and not proper communication for a handbook.

Critique of Chapter XV pg 78 “Jehovah Witnesses”

Critique of Chapter XVI pg 86 “Seventh Day Adventism”

Critique of Chapter XVII pg 90 “Christian Science and Unity”

Critique of Chapter XVIII pg 94 “Mormonism”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.
These four chapters of Dr. Stanford's handbook have no adequate introduction nor conclusion in their organization.
The four chapters present adequate historical background of the cult.
The four chapters present adequate insights for witnessing to these cult groups.

Critique of Chapter XIX pg 6 “Understanding the Two Natures”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.
Abstract of major ideas:
1. This well organized, albeit short, chapter has an introduction that invites one to read its content and it is aimed toward a soul winner.
2. There is an excellent body that presents the material needed to accomplish the task baited in the introduction.
3. There is a conclusion, which again ties together the purpose of the chapter and aims the information at a soul winner.
Critical Evaluation: Finally a chapter that has structure, organization, aim and focus which is essential in a 'Handbook of Personal Evangelism”; I knew it could be done all along.
Implications of major ideas: The pertinence of this chapter is excellently emphasized in its own introduction and conclusion.

Critique of Chapter XX pg 98 “Understanding Predestination”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.
Abstract or Major Ideas
1. There is no introduction to this chapter which focuses the issue on its importance to the soul winner.
2. The coverage of this subject is probably adequate for one who would be reading this book, but a little more background information of the roots of the predestination error would be helpful.¹
  1. Tracing the roots of Calvinism back to Augustinian error is always insightful.
  2. The Latin Vulgate's mistranslation of the words 'priest', 'penitence' and 'predestination' is always insightful.
  3. Citing the inordinate clinging to a foreknowledge solution and the dilemma of free-will vs foreknowledge would be hitting at the source of the problem.
3. Dr. Stanford addresses very well the dangers of the fatalistic approach and the concerns for the free will decision necessary for a whosoever.
4. There is no conclusion that ties this subject into relevance for the soul winner; it would have been so easy to include such after the excellent development of this information..
Critical Evaluation: Good insightful and necessary information that needed an introduction and a conclusion.
Implications of major ideas: With protestants and neoevangelicals flocking back to their mothers roots of error this is a needed warning to soul winners.

Critique of Chapter XXI pg 100 “Helpful Hints”

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.
Abstract or Major Ideas: These 14 helpful hints are for soul winners are right in line and almost form an adequate concluding chapter for such a handbook.
Critical Evaluation: There is no introduction nor conclusion to this very helpful chapter which could have served as a conclusion to the handbook if it 1) included them, 2) had an introduction chapter, and if it 3) included the 24 other helpful hints that Dr.Lewis included in his notes.
Implications of major ideas: The ideas in this chapter are exactly applicable to the soul winner but could have been, and should have been, more extended..

NOTES

1. Rice, Edward G., “The Biblical Doctrine of Election s and Predestination”, www.GSBaptistChurch.com/calvinim, accessed 06/30/08

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Bible

Rice, Edward G., “The Biblical Doctrine of Election s and Predestination”, www.GSBaptistChurch.com/calvinim, accessed 06/30/08

Stanford, Dr. R.A,.“Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Landmark Baptist College, Syllabus, Directed Studies, Undated, Received from Landmark Apr 2008.

1Rice, Edward G., “The Biblical Doctrine of Election s and Predestination”, www.GSBaptistChurch.com/calvinim, accessed 06/30/08