We are told in Matthew 28:19 to go and make disciples:
Go therefore and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit,
First is that something we do? I know blogs and less direct
contact has been the way for me for quite some time. The one thing I notice in
my discussions is how aggressive the atheists I talk with can be. Most are way
more passionate than I am about really nothing other than pride in being right.
I can discuss odds and probability to answered prayers to
which I get addresses as a whacko for even believing such a thing. We get into
my favorite subject of Evolution and then name calling begins and almost every
other form of propaganda one can use to make me look nuts. It’s ironic that
while I can point to events that have personally built my faith in God,
including my death, and I am dismissed without a second thought.
I bring this back to Christianity today and wonder why we
allow ourselves to be walked on so much? Is it a lack of understanding since
most pastors today teach a watered down message so not to alienate new attendees
who may be offended or confused? Is it we no longer read the Bible like we use
to, rather if we do read it peoples interpretation of what the Bible says to
them?
I know when attacked for my lack of understanding of
Evolution and then when I ask direct questions like show me a point where in observed
nature we have seen a split of taxonomical classification outside a species? I
am then told how ignorant of the process I am. Yet when I point to the Linnaean
Tree and ask how then a reptile can convert to an ave (bird) in short order, I
am further ridiculed.
Note, it’s not that I am so steadfast in my belief of Creationism
that I cannot budge. Quite contraire, I have been a creationist, to an God
inspired evolutionist, to a pure evolutionist, to a creationist again. I am not
afraid of changing my mind, if someone can convince me. And that’s the point,
they will not even try to engage me on a intellectual debate and remain in elementary
school yard babble.
This works for the majority of Christians on a myriad of
subjects. Then Zeitgeist Movement is the most popular series that intertwines
modern issues with showing how the Bible can be debunked. It is quite clever
and can shake the faith of even the most ardent Christian. The problem stems
when someone watches the YouTube flick and suddenly becomes an expert on what
is wrong in the Bible and therefore tries to force their way of thinking on us
who believe.
What usually happens is we either roll over and not
defend the faith or are unable to defend the faith. Either way an observer sees
this and gives up. Now I will say it’s much easier to make disciples when you
were discipled by Jesus himself. Having seen firsthand the miracles and the resurrection.
But even still we have a story that when read answers all questions. So with
that said, read your Bible, ask questions, make disciples and take on the
giants. But do not use name calling, bandwagon or other propaganda techniques
to attempt to win rather God’s word and the Holy Spirit!!