You are currently browsing the monthly archive for November 2009.
Below is a link to an article I wrote about the problem of evil. Many people have concerns about how to harmonize the existence of God with the existence of evil. This article, admittedly philosophical in nature, may help get you started if you would like more study on this important issue.
Question: based on the article, how might you approach a conversation with a non-theist on this issue?
The following is a guest post by Rev. Patrick Lengel:
The other day I had the opportunity to sit down with a couple Jehovah’s Witnesses. I love blasting their ideas out of the water and winning the argument. I often times approach these discussions with the proverbial Clint Eastwood stare and an attitude saying, “Go ahead, make my day.”
After the discussions the other day I was thinking about the conversation and how I could have done things differently…what I could have said to weaken their perspective and strengthen the Christian perspective. Then it struck me…why do I love these debates and discussions?
I knew that even though I love sharing the Gospel, when I have the opportunity to talk with someone with an opposing religious worldview, I really enjoy winning that argument. I take vindication knowing that my worldview is correct and that theirs is wrong.
But, am I right in doing that?
We are to be about proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Apologetics is a tool for that but should not be the end all. Good apologetics should help prepare the soil to receive the Gospel.
So what can we do as we utilize apologetics in sharing the Gospel to ensure that we don’t make the Gospel a game to be won?
1) Remember, God is the one that changes people and, biblically speaking, He does not do it through our intelligence but in our weakness.
2) We need to love the ones we talk to and desire them to receive eternal life.
3) We need to be humble…even when we can win the argument, the Gospel is our main calling. Instead of going for the jugular, go for the heart.
Remember, sometimes Winning is Loosing, especially when we make the Gospel a Game.
Now, go out and serve your King.
Patrick Lengel is a church planter in Bluffton, South Carolina and the tired dad of four young kids. You can contact Patrick at BikerChurchUSA@gmail.com or at 803-917-5404.
When I took up motorcycling, I made sure I was prepared. One of the best ways to do that is to take a course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. I still think every day about the safety principles I learned from that course. I use the safety check and start-up procedure they teach. I feel prepared for every ride, while knowing that unexpected things can still happen.
One of the acronyms I was taught in the beginners course I took is S.E.E. I think if it on every motorcycle ride. It stands for:
Scan - Evaluate - Execute
This acronym makes me think about my life verse, which is 1 Peter 3:15. It reads, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (NIV)
“S” for scan means we need to scan our world, our country, our state, our city, our neighborhood, our schools, and our workplaces for opportunities to make Jesus Christ known. We also need to scan for false teachings and false worldviews that put roadblocks in front of people getting to the “foot of the cross.” This scanning process takes discernment, which is given by the Holy Spirit.
“E” for evaluate means we need to evaluate how to share with people. A couple of key words in the verse is “gentleness” and “respect.” Nobody likes being confronted with the possibility that their worldview is false. They feel like they are “being judged.” A winsome tactical approach is needed. Christians need to prepare for effective conversations with people who need Christ, which takes work and preparation. That’s why the verse says to “always be prepared.”
The final “E” stands for execute. In the end, after the praying and preparing, Christians need to get out and “do.” They need to be people of action. The verse talks giving an answer. That implies taking the knowledge from the scanning and evaluating and executing it. The person who puts all of these elements together is the person who understands the heart of apologetics.
As a student of apologetics, it’s easy to feel good about gaining philosophical knowledge and learning how to defend the Christian faith. But the best student is the one who puts the knowledge into practice. You don’t need an advanced degree for that. You just need (spiritual) eyes with which to SEE and (spiritual) feet to bring the message to those who need it.
SocialVibe