Does the Bridge Illustration Still Work?
Do evangelism tools like the bridge illustration still work? I was confronted by the tried-and-true Gospel pitch recently and I found myself thinking, “Wow. People still do this. Hm.”
For those wondering, the bridge illustration conveniently outlines how one propositionally gets to Heaven.
We (humanity) are one one side of the cliff.
God is on the other.
There’s a great gulf in between.
The Cross of Jesus bridges that gap.
This is the bridge illustration.
I ask if it still works because any propositional understanding I had of salvation has been crushed under the weight of grace. The whole “tit-for-tat” Gospel doesn’t make sense to me. But to some people it does. That’s why the bridge illustration exists.
Does it still work? Here’s a quick video explaining the concept:
Was this effective for you?
The Atari-like Mario Bros. animation aside, I've used the bridge illustration many times in helping someone come to know Christ. However, I've always drawn it myself and used it as a tool of conversation, not sales. In other words, we chat about each facet and the questions that come up along the way rather than me saying “do you believe point #1? point #2? Then oh, why not tonight?”
I still like it, but it's most effective as a conversation piece. I do think Jesus had an uncanny knack for simplifying messages, which infuriated the Pharisees of his day. I like it because it's simple.
I have been thinking about this topic for some time. Although this is a Scriptural metaphor (Col. 1:22), I believe it is ineffective because the end it seeks is not the same end that people seek. I believe that the culture has moved beyond its obsession with salvation and moralism, and is rather asking itself far more existential, or perhaps experiential, questions. How do I live? What do I follow? How are my priorities created and how do they affect my actions? I believe we are letting go of our fascination with heaven, and instead focusing on what can be done on Earth. As believers, our thoughts and actions have eternal worth, but I think we are storing up treasures in heaven by making changes here and now.
I'll be a bit sarcastic…the Holy Spirit does the work, so if a bridge illustration is your thing and the Holy Spirit makes it work, then go for it…it wouldn't be my first choice though…usually a conversation is all that is needed and lots of questions <—- my preferred method.
I use the bridge example in Africa. The peasant, subsistance farmers really relate to this example. They know right from wrong. They know that they are doomed without supernatual help. Many are trying to escape the spiritual evil that oppresses them and faith that Jesus brings is their only way (bridge) to God.
It also helps that bridges are few and many are washed out.
The Africans would not relate to the video.
Hehehe. Christian Pitfall – it should be a game!
I'm with Brandon. It can be a tool with the right people in the right circumstance, but like Kyle said, those people are getting farther apart and fewer between.
Many people don't accept there is a God. Few that do would accept that a loving God would permit such a gulf. And of the rest, few believe that Jesus is the only way across that gulf. For the remaining people who are not already in church, this could be a useful tool!
Hehehe. Christian Pitfall – it should be a game!
I'm with Brandon. It can be a tool with the right people in the right circumstance, but like Kyle said, those people are getting farther apart and fewer between.
Many people don't accept there is a God. Few that do would accept that a loving God would permit such a gulf. And of the rest, few believe that Jesus is the only way across that gulf. For the remaining people who are not already in church, this could be a useful tool!
It is a good conversation piece. It helps those who need a visual aids, (like me).
I would use it with those who have a modern worldview or a judeo-christian background, particularly one influenced by the Catholic church. It great for explaining justification for our sins.
It doesn’t address the postmodern world view well that doesn’t typically recognize the existence of God or sin.
Another illustration that is helpful for postmoderns is the “Cirles of Belonging” and can be found at: http://www.intervarsity.org/evangelism/download.php?article_id=1585&version_id=2640
This illustration focuses more on the question of “Whom will you worship?” instead of justification for our sins.