Yes, the title of the post makes me uncomfortable, but Wesley said we should act as if our efforts alone were the keys to successful gospel spreading. The Holy Spirit may be the real agent, but we should act as if it is all up to us. If so, then we should use every tool at our disposal. In that spirit, I’ve written twice about Cialdini’s work. I’m reblogging because so far no one has commented – good, bad, or otherwise.
Robert B. Cialdini has written one of the most influential books in the business world on the topic of persuasion. The retired Arizona State University professor is quoted widely and widely read by men and women in business who want to figure out the science of influence.
He has indentified six means of influence that have been supported by experimental study and derived from 30 years of research work in the social sciences.
They are:
Reciprocity – We do things for people who have done things for us.
Scarcity – We want things that are scarce and act to avoid loss of things we have.
Commitment to Consistency – If we commit to do something, that previous commitment becomes a motivator even when circumstances change.
Authority – We obey figures we view as authorities.
Social Proof – We look to what others have done to help us decide what to do.
Liking – We tend to do things for those we like or who are like us.
As I think about these principles, I am struck immediately by the materialism that underlies them. Cialdini does not have a pneumatology, which means “applying” such principles to preaching has some inherent trapdoors. But I can clearly see some ways that preachers have used them – whether consciously or not.
Scarcity – “Seize hold of God why he is near!” “Do not lose what you have gained from God.” “Only the elect have God’s favor.”
Social Proof – the altar call, stories of model Christians, appeals to the conduct of Christians throughout the ages, small group
Authority – Jesus, God, the preacher himself where preachers are still viewed as authorities
Reciprocity – “Christ died for you.” “We love because God first loved us.” “God has given us everything that we have.”
Consistency – “Keep your baptismal vows.” Reciting the creeds. Vows of all kinds made in public.
Liking – charismatic preachers, humor, appealing to a shared identity that says we are all alike in some way.
Should we be more aware of these influencers and use them? Should we be more aware of them and be cautious about them? Are they merely “prudential helps” that we can and should employ to help Christians as they mature in faith? Are they manipulative?
I am a part-time local pastor serving 
The doctrine of original sin is surely more humbling to man than the opposite: And I know not what honour we can pay to God, if we think man came out of His hands in the condition wherein he is now.
