In this study I have attempted to expound how the Christian message might be effectively presented, in order to win a response from secular Australians. The thesis is that if evangelism is to be effective, then it needs to make contact with the lives of secular Australians. More particularly, it needs to engage their interest by relating to their desires and concerns. If secular people's wants and aspirations are shown to be fulfilled by Christianity, then a positive response is more likely. In carrying out this task there was the need to understand the nature of Australian secularity. However, an analysis of the history and nature of secular Australia does not of itself lead to a particular approach, important though the descriptive task is. I was guided towards the approach I have suggested by my Wesleyan perspective, which regards God's Spirit as being preveniently at work in human lives.
With a theology of evangelism that regards God as already at work stimulating people towards deeper concerns, I have sought to identify some of these in the Australian context. The five "points of engagement" that I have developed are as follows: the desire for self-transcendence, the concern for meaning and direction in life, the desire that life be enjoyable and challenging, the longing for fulness of life and maturity, and the concern for social justice. The approach I have proposed involves an examination of how Christianity relates to and fulfills those wants and aspirations, which are perceived to be prompted by God's Spirit. This approach is explicated with the aid of various theologians. I have drawn on those thinkers which I found helpful on different points in developing my view. Their perspectives were evaluated on the basis of seeing how helpful they are in relating the Christian message to secular people.
The views that I investigated were: the liberal approach of the early John Baillie, the neo-orthodox view of Karl Barth, the existentialist standpoint of Rudolph Bultmann, and the rationalist position of Wolfhart Pannenberg. I have endeavoured to show that the outcome of conversion, namely the Christian life, fulfills the desires of secular Australians. Examining how Christianity fulfills the five "points of engagement" also sheds new light on our understanding of reconciliation, assurance, new birth, sanctification and the kingdom of God.
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