Answer
The “Way of the Master” evangelism method is a technique developed by TV-show hosts Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, which seeks to witness to the lost by application of the Mosaic Law to show men their sin and ultimately bring them to conviction and subsequent repentance.
Way of the Master witness encounters are typically initiated with the question “Do you consider yourself to be a good person?” When the individual answers positively, the evangelist will walk him or her systematically through the Law (How many lies do you think you have told in your life? Have you ever stolen something, irrespective of its value? Have you ever taken the Lord’s name in vain? Have you ever looked at a woman with lust?). This is followed by a brief summation of the individual’s admissions and the question is asked concerning the individual’s eternal well-being: “In light of your own admission, if God were to judge you by the standard of the ten commandments, do you think you would be found innocent or guilty and would you be going to heaven or hell?” This is followed by a summary of the key elements of the gospel, with particular emphasis on doctrines such as propitiation and the need for faith and repentance.
Is the “Way of the Master” evangelism method biblical? Biblical support includes such passages as Romans 3:19-20 – “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” Similarly, Galatians 3:24-25 declares – “…the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.” Psalm 19:7 also proclaims that “the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.”
In conclusion, the “Way of the Master” methodology is assuredly a biblical approach, founded on scriptural principles. When self-examined under the mirror of God’s law, man’s heart is prepared for the seed of the gospel. If the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of the individual to receive truth, the heart of man is then able to understand the message of God’s holiness—His justice and perfect righteousness, and the glorious salvation made available through the sacrificial provision of Jesus Christ.
As the Apostle Paul puts it in Romans 3:21-26 – “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished – he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”
