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Background

The Matrix has its origins in Søgaard's Spiritual Segmentation linear model which later evolved into The Spiritual-Decision Process, or the Engel Scale as it has become commonly known.

This scale usefully identifies stages of understanding and Gospel awareness that a person goes through in coming to a saving knowledge of Christ.

Those with minimal understanding are represented as being at the top of the scale and progress downwards as their knowledge and understanding of the Gospel increases. The linear scale and its various stages of understanding are outlined below.

The Engel Scale shed Light...

This Engel Scale made an enormous impact on my own understanding of the mission context in which I operated in Laos and I am deeply indebted to it. Lights came on as I wrestled with the implications of communicating the Christian message to a largely disinterested Buddhist and animistic society. I began to see why so much Christian communication - preaching, teaching, programming, whatever - was missing the mark: it was not communicating using words and images the listener could relate to or fully understand. Much well-meaning "evangelism" was being done but more barriers were possibly being erected than were being taken down.

...but it was incomplete

I also began to discover that to transmit knowledge alone was not sufficient. Effective Christian witness may impart knowledge - but it also communicates a lot more. It communicates kindness, understanding, caring, patience, love and other virtues. These combine to the changing and reinforcing of attitudes among listeners while breaking down barriers towards the Gospel. As such I saw that attitudes operated independently of any knowledge that may be communicated. Because of this we could not possibly include attitude change (-4) as a component of the vertical axis.

A 2-dimensional Model needed

In January 1977 I therefore proposed the two-dimensional model- the Matrix. Its usefulness when compared with the Engel Scale might be likened to the differences between and colour and a black-and-white photo. It allows and encourages a more complete understanding of the dynamics of communicating the Good News.

And a 3rd..?

Arnold Remtema of World by Radio has even suggested that we might need to include a 3rd dimension to demonstrate the work of the Holy Spirit, spiritual warfare and intercession. Or is this over-complicating it? Give us your feedback..