Topical Encyclopedia
A "tract" in the context of Christian literature refers to a small pamphlet or booklet that is used to convey religious messages, teachings, or doctrines. While the Bible itself does not mention tracts explicitly, the concept of disseminating religious teachings through written materials can be seen as an extension of the biblical mandate to spread the Gospel.
Biblical Basis for TractsThe use of tracts aligns with the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His followers to spread the Gospel to all nations. In
Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus instructs, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." Tracts serve as a tool to fulfill this command by providing a means to share the Gospel message with a wide audience.
Historical ContextThe use of tracts became particularly prominent during the Reformation and subsequent evangelical movements. Reformers and evangelists utilized printed materials to disseminate their teachings and reach individuals who might not have access to formal church settings. The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century significantly facilitated the production and distribution of tracts, making religious literature more accessible to the general public.
Purpose and ContentTracts are designed to be concise and impactful, often focusing on a specific aspect of Christian doctrine, a moral teaching, or a call to salvation. They may include Bible verses, personal testimonies, and explanations of key theological concepts. The goal is to engage the reader and encourage them to consider the message of the Gospel.
Biblical Examples of Written CommunicationWhile tracts as we know them today are not mentioned in the Bible, the use of written communication to convey God's message is evident throughout Scripture. The Apostle Paul, for example, wrote letters to various churches and individuals to instruct, encourage, and correct them in their faith. In
2 Corinthians 3:2-3 , Paul writes, "You yourselves are our letter, inscribed on our hearts, known and read by everyone. It is clear that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."
Modern UsageIn contemporary Christian practice, tracts are widely used in evangelism and outreach efforts. They are distributed in various settings, such as public events, door-to-door evangelism, and personal interactions. Tracts are often designed to be visually appealing and easy to read, with the intention of capturing the reader's attention and prompting further reflection or action.
Challenges and ConsiderationsWhile tracts can be an effective evangelistic tool, they also present certain challenges. The brevity of tracts may limit the depth of theological discussion, and there is a risk that the message may be oversimplified or misunderstood. Additionally, the impersonal nature of tracts means that they may not always lead to meaningful engagement or dialogue with the recipient. Therefore, it is important for those using tracts to be prepared to follow up with personal conversations and provide further guidance as needed.
In summary, while the Bible does not specifically mention tracts, the use of written materials to spread the Gospel is consistent with biblical principles and has been a significant aspect of Christian evangelism throughout history.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A written discourse or dissertation, generally of short extent; a short treatise, especially on practical religion.
2. (v.) Something drawn out or extended; expanse.
3. (n.) A region or quantity of land or water, of indefinite extent; an area; as, an unexplored tract of sea.
4. (v.) Traits; features; lineaments.
5. (n.) The footprint of a wild beast.
6. (v.) Track; trace.
7. (v.) Treatment; exposition.
8. (v.) Continuity or extension of anything; as, the tract of speech.
9. (v.) Continued or protracted duration; length; extent.
10. (v.) Verses of Scripture sung at Mass, instead of the Alleluia, from Septuagesima Sunday till the Saturday before Easter; -- so called because sung tractim, or without a break, by one voice, instead of by many as in the antiphons.
11. (v. t.) To trace out; to track; also, to draw out; to protect.
Greek
68. agros -- a field, the country... Definition a field, the country NASB Word Usage country (5), countryside (3), farm
(1), farms (3), field (21), fields (2), piece of land (1),
tract of land (1
...5117. topos -- a place
... general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas chora is a large but participle
locality), ie Location (as a position, home,tract, etc.); figuratively...
2824. klima -- a region
... part, region. From klino; a slope, ie (specially) a "clime" ortract of country --
part, region. see GREEK klino. (klimasi) -- 1 Occurrence....
5561. chora -- a space, place, land
... 5561 -- country-land (the ordinary word for ); a wide-open area; "a largertract
than (68), . In two cases it refers to a rich man's estates; and...
Strong's Hebrew
2506. cheleq -- portion,tract, territory... 2505b, 2506. cheleq. 2507 . portion,
tract, territory. Transliteration:
cheleq Phonetic Spelling: (khay'lek) Short Definition: portion.
...3603. kikkar -- a round, a round district, a round loaf, a round...
... 8). loaf, morsel, piece, plain, talent. From karar; a circle, ie (by
implication) a circumjacenttract or region, expec. The Ghor...
Library
A Fifth CenturyTract for the Times
... I. A Fifth CenturyTract for the Times. "Be ashamed, ye Roman people everywhere,
be ashamed of the lives you lead! . . . It is neither...
Book andTract Catalogue.
... BOOK &TRACT CATALOGUE. THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION.... A very valuabletract showing
that the church is starving for lack of gospel truth.8pp.2 doz....
For the Jubilee Celebration of the ReligiousTract Society, 1848
... For the Jubilee Celebration of the ReligiousTract Society, 1848. 8.6.8.6 James
Montgomery. For the Jubilee Celebration of the ReligiousTract Society, 1848....
For the Jubilee of the ReligiousTract Society, 1848
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCLXXV. For the Jubilee of the ReligiousTract Society, 1848....
James Montgomery. For the Jubilee of the ReligiousTract Society, 1848....
Introduction
... THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PETER INTRODUCTION. THE atmosphere of thistract
is described in the introduction to the epistle of Judas....
Introduction
... James is a pastoral or homily addressed to Christians in general (see on i.1). The
author is a teacher of the church, who writes thistract for the special...
Whether Christ Gave his Body to Judas?
... He gave it him in the morsel, especially since we read (Jn.13:26) that "after the
morsel, Satan entered into him." And on this passage Augustine says (Tract....
Introduction to De Decretis or Defence of the Nicene Definition.
... Accordingly we must probably place thetract under the sole reign of Constantius,
between 351 and the end of 355.... In the presenttract and in Orat....
No Minister Ought to Keep a Faithful Person from the Communion...
... St. Augustine says, (Tract.26. in Johan.) If thou comest without Sin, come and welcome;
tis Bread and not Poyson; Again, (Ep.... Pope Adrian (In 4 Sent.Tract....
Introduction
... No document of the early church has proved so bewildering to scholars as this
apparently innocenttract which was discovered by Philotheos Byrennios in 1873....
Thesaurus
Tract (5 Occurrences)... 3. (n.) A region or quantity of land or water, of indefinite extent; an area; as,
an unexplored
tract of sea.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Tract (5 Occurrences).
...Desert (322 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Hebrews midbar, "pasture-ground;" an open
tract for pasturage; a common (Joel 2:22). The "backside...
Wanderings (7 Occurrences)
... won'-der-ingz: I. CONDITIONS 1. The Wilderness 2. Four Separate Regions Included
3. "The SandyTract" 4. Description of the Arabah 5. Physical Condition of the...
Elamites (2 Occurrences)
... Temperament of the Inhabitants of Elam LITERATURE 1. Geographical Position and Names:
A well-knowntract, partly mountainous, whose western boundary, starting...
Elam (24 Occurrences)
... Temperament of the Inhabitants of Elam LITERATURE 1. Geographical Position and Names:
A well-knowntract, partly mountainous, whose western boundary, starting...
Neck (97 Occurrences)
... a gourd. 4. (n.) A long narrowtract of land projecting from the main body,
or a narrowtract connecting two larger tracts. 5. (n...
Flat (33 Occurrences)
... 13. (n.) A level surface, without elevation, relief, or prominences; an extended
plain; specifically, in the United States, a leveltract along the along the...
Forest (67 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An extensive wood; a largetract of land covered with trees; in the United
States, a wood of native growth, or atract of woodland which has never been...
Territory (140 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A large extent ortract of land; a region;
a country; a district. 2. (n.) The extent of land belonging...
Trachonitis (1 Occurrence)
... literally, "of the Iturean and Trachonian region" (Luke 3:1). Trachonitis signifies
the land associated with the trachon, "a rugged stonytract." There are two...
Resources
What is the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society? | GotQuestions.orgIs handing out gospel tracts a good evangelism method? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the Jehovah's Witnesses and what are their beliefs? | GotQuestions.orgTract: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
