Evangelism is a word that stirs up mixed feelings in most Christians. Depending on who you are, it could either bring guilt and condemnation, or compassion and excitement.

Out of the Saltshaker draws on Jesus’ exhortation for us to be ‘salt’ in the world (Matthew 13:16) and explores why we should be obedient to his great commission in Matthew 28:16-20 by stirring compassion in our hearts for God’s people. Rebecca Manley Pippert sets aside the salesman techniques we so often try to use when witnessing, exploring why it is important that we share our faith without inducing guilt in our audience, but instead helping them to experience God’s unconditional love.

She also deals with the reasons why we may be apprehensive about sharing our faith, and how we can rise above our anxieties. Here she draws on some of her own early experiences of evangelism and comments, ‘I was so afraid of being identified as a religious fanatic…I remained silent when the topic of God came up.’ She also admits to feeling intimidated by the negative attitudes towards Christianity that her friends held - something we can surely identify with.

Manley Pippert reminds us that our lives may be the only Bible some people will ever read. Thus it is important that we reflect Christ’s character in our daily lives, whilst striving to be people the world can still relate to.

Mixed in with scriptural analysis, there are many great interludes where she recounts her experiences of witnessing to people. Some are success stories, whilst others remind us not to expect an instant conversion to Christianity. She also reiterates the importance of prayer at every stage of evangelism, especially seeking direction in how to reach out to the individuals we meet and for those who seem to reject the gospel.

It was refreshing to read a book that didn’t offer ten steps to instant success, but Out of the Saltshaker also helped to illuminate things that may have limited my evangelism in the past, as well as encouraging me to approach things with a fresh attitude in the future. As medics, we learn and work in an environment where people around us are at crossroads in their life and a little glimmer of light is sometimes all they need to guide them to the truth and eternal life in Christ.

Reviewed by:
Ibukunoluwapo Adedugbe
Clinical student
Imperial College, London