...to give an answer to anyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have...1 Peter 3:15
My little brother came to me today with questions...and he had lots of them. Starting with the toughest - Does God really exist?- and going all the way to "Where is the salt body of Lot's wife?" I was confident in answering his questions because of years of preparation. I am very relieved that I could approach our conversation, not with fear and panic, but with biblical and scientific answers. Preparation is key, and by God's grace this time, I was ready. I haven't been so lucky in the past, mostly because I failed to do my due diligence and do my homework, and I would approach conversations with tradition and emotion. Not a good combination.
I also learned about a child's honest, questioning heart. Not questioning to trap you, but questioning to know, no matter how ridiculous it might sound.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Monday, December 14, 2009
Making it relevant
As you can probably guess from the title of this blog, my goal is to present the Gospel in a way that is incisive and relevant. This is something Jesus was able to do. He could cut right to the heart of the matter and present himself as the solution to people's real needs. I pray for this gift all the time.
How can I make Jesus relevant to a generation that perceives faith as exactly the opposite? What are they looking for? Because it is possible to live a mostly satisfied and comfortable life without salvation in Christ, for the most part there is no perception of the need for a saviour.
Over the years/decades/centuries, there have been various strains of evangelical tactics in an effort to make the Gospel appealing. Some attract people to Jesus by preaching that he will provide for them, others do so by touting that he will solve their life issues and problems...still others use fear and threats. At points in my evangelical evolution I've been guilty of resorting to one or more of these. This isn't to say that God won't/can't do these things, but if we're luring people to Jesus based on what they want to hear at the moment or based on external needs that we perceive, we are painting a very different picture of salvation than what Jesus himself painted. Needs are very shaky ground to build relationships on, because not only can those relationships crumble when the need is gone, but our temporal needs are not the ones Jesus put the greatest emphasis on.
My prayer is that God would show me how to connect who he really is with what people really need, whatever their circumstance may be. I also pray that he would be opening the eyes and hearts of those who need him, to acknowledge that their need is to be reconciled to God their creator and accept him and the sacrifice for their sins.
How can I make Jesus relevant to a generation that perceives faith as exactly the opposite? What are they looking for? Because it is possible to live a mostly satisfied and comfortable life without salvation in Christ, for the most part there is no perception of the need for a saviour.
Over the years/decades/centuries, there have been various strains of evangelical tactics in an effort to make the Gospel appealing. Some attract people to Jesus by preaching that he will provide for them, others do so by touting that he will solve their life issues and problems...still others use fear and threats. At points in my evangelical evolution I've been guilty of resorting to one or more of these. This isn't to say that God won't/can't do these things, but if we're luring people to Jesus based on what they want to hear at the moment or based on external needs that we perceive, we are painting a very different picture of salvation than what Jesus himself painted. Needs are very shaky ground to build relationships on, because not only can those relationships crumble when the need is gone, but our temporal needs are not the ones Jesus put the greatest emphasis on.
My prayer is that God would show me how to connect who he really is with what people really need, whatever their circumstance may be. I also pray that he would be opening the eyes and hearts of those who need him, to acknowledge that their need is to be reconciled to God their creator and accept him and the sacrifice for their sins.
Reading list
I'm currently reading The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey. This book has absolutely changed the way I view Jesus, and in response the way I [try to] relate to others. Book review (read: lessons learned) coming soon.
On my list of influential books are Driven By Eternity by John Bevere and I Don't Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist by Norm Geisler and Frank Turek. I love Christian Apologetics, but I just wish I had the memory to remember all the details I read as far as answers to common objections to the faith. I remember a good amount of them, but can sometimes get lost in the details.
Up and coming reads include The Fear of The Lord, also by John Bevere, The God Delusion and Atlas Shrugged. Now the last two may look like unusal picks, but I have friends who've read them and I want to understand what makes them tick. Of course, this has to be done with much prayer and wisdom.
On my list of influential books are Driven By Eternity by John Bevere and I Don't Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist by Norm Geisler and Frank Turek. I love Christian Apologetics, but I just wish I had the memory to remember all the details I read as far as answers to common objections to the faith. I remember a good amount of them, but can sometimes get lost in the details.
Up and coming reads include The Fear of The Lord, also by John Bevere, The God Delusion and Atlas Shrugged. Now the last two may look like unusal picks, but I have friends who've read them and I want to understand what makes them tick. Of course, this has to be done with much prayer and wisdom.
Up for air!
I've neglected this blog...a lot has happened over the past year. I've moved back home, and therefore my commute is longer. Home life is also busier, and there are plenty of opportunities for growth. I pray that this would not be a wasted experience.
I've been away, but my desire for evangelism hasn't. I'm still praying for and thinking about many that I encounter daily who don't know God. God has been faithful to bring opportunities to talk about him with some of my coworkers, and while there haven't been any converstions, I take comfort in the fact that his gospel is going out on some level. Hopefully not only through words, but through my actions observed over the course of long-term relationships.
I've been away, but my desire for evangelism hasn't. I'm still praying for and thinking about many that I encounter daily who don't know God. God has been faithful to bring opportunities to talk about him with some of my coworkers, and while there haven't been any converstions, I take comfort in the fact that his gospel is going out on some level. Hopefully not only through words, but through my actions observed over the course of long-term relationships.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
...to loose the chains of injustice
*I tried to post this two days ago but blogger was down. In hindsight, now it seems almost prophetic*
There is so much hypocrisy in the a world that is so quick to point out the flaws of Christians.
At lunch today, the conversation found its way to Gilligan's island and how each of the characters is modeled after the seven deadly sins. I was amazed to watch these people rattle off the list (one that I have not memorized). For people so aware of them, it's a wonder their lives don't reflect it. The passage in Isaiah 58 that I quoted refers to hypocrisy in fasting and reminds us to take the focus off ourselves and do God's work. Many Christians have responded to this call and lived lives of self-denial to accomplish God's heart for humanity. To my knowledge sinful, imperfect Christians have accomplished more for the oppressed than those sitting on the sidelines pointing fingers at how sinful we are. Now I will be the first to admit my own shortcomings, but please, if you're not part of the solution to a problem refrain from pointing out the flaws of people who already acknowledge their sinfulness and need for a Saviour.
I quote this passage for a different purpose, not to criticize, but to honor those who have been convicted by it and have lived lives that demonstrate true love and humility.
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
And as a blessing
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
There is so much hypocrisy in the a world that is so quick to point out the flaws of Christians.
At lunch today, the conversation found its way to Gilligan's island and how each of the characters is modeled after the seven deadly sins. I was amazed to watch these people rattle off the list (one that I have not memorized). For people so aware of them, it's a wonder their lives don't reflect it. The passage in Isaiah 58 that I quoted refers to hypocrisy in fasting and reminds us to take the focus off ourselves and do God's work. Many Christians have responded to this call and lived lives of self-denial to accomplish God's heart for humanity. To my knowledge sinful, imperfect Christians have accomplished more for the oppressed than those sitting on the sidelines pointing fingers at how sinful we are. Now I will be the first to admit my own shortcomings, but please, if you're not part of the solution to a problem refrain from pointing out the flaws of people who already acknowledge their sinfulness and need for a Saviour.
I quote this passage for a different purpose, not to criticize, but to honor those who have been convicted by it and have lived lives that demonstrate true love and humility.
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
And as a blessing
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
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