Sheldon And Vanauken's A Severe Mercy

After being resurrected from the grave, Jesus calls his disciples to “make disciples of all nations...” (English Standard Version, Mt. 28:19). This is the Great Commission to all believers. A Christian witness can change the life of a skeptic by encouraging them with the Word. In A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken, Sheldon and Davy Vanauken encounter Christian witnesses that lead the couple to believe in Christianity themselves. Sheldon and Davy arrive at Oxford as pagans, having no belief in a higher being. When the couple begins forming friendships with Christians, their opinion of believers completely changes. Sheldon explains, “Our fundamental assumption . . . had been that all Christians were necessarily stuffy, hide-bound, or stupid - people to keep one’s distance from . . . Our own contemporaries could be at once highly intelligent, civilised, witty, fun to be with - and Christian” (Vanauken 77). These Christians reach out in friendship to the Vanaukens and encourage them to learn more about the faith. Furthermore, the churches and cathedrals of Oxford surround Sheldon and Davy

In order to spread the Gospel, believers have to be well-versed in their own understanding of the Bible. As Sheldon and Davy learn more about the Bible, “we talked to our Christian friends, raising our questions and doubts. They answered us very patiently and thoughtfully” (85). By demonstrating their knowledge and kindness through their conversations, Christians can be good examples to future believers. Christians cannot only rely on their own strength, but must also pray that God opens unbelievers hearts to hear the Word. Sheldon says, “All our Christian friends were praying for me. Perhaps their friends. Perhaps whole churches” (97). Prayer is powerful, and believers should never discount their