Dominic de Guzmán (1170-1221) was a Spanish priest who founded the Order of Preachers also called the Dominicans. Dominic wanted the order to be devoted to prayer and study, but also to go out to preach to people. The Dominicans produced some amazing people like Thomas Aquinas, one of the greatest theologians ever, and Meister Eckhart, an influential mystic. As a Lutheran I never paid much attention to the Dominicans because they also produced John Tetzel, the great seller of indulgences opposed by Martin Luther, and Cardinal Thomas Cajetan who had been sent to examine Luther’s teaching and then helped to write the bull excommunicating him. Some Dominicans became leaders of the inquisition–not the brightest chapter in the history of the Christian church.

Nevertheless, there is one aspect of Dominic and his order that Lutherans should pay attention to: they went out to preach to people. They didn’t wait for people to find their own way into a church so they could be preached to. In short, they were evangelists. Evangelism is often the weakest aspect of a Lutheran congregation. We have solid theology, great preaching, wonderful worship. We are leaders in caring for people in need. But when it comes to telling people the Good News of Jesus Christ, we often seem to be speechless. I don’t know what the problem is exactly. Is the Gospel not worth telling? Do we want to keep it to our own private secret?

Whatever the reason, we would do well to follow the example of Dominic and share the Good News.

Read Romans 10:14-15 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne