How Does One Defend Christianity in a Hostile Culture
A Christian columnist recently admitted it is all but impossible to convince a non-believer of the faith's tenets. Using the Bible as a source of history does not meet today's standards. Thus, the miracles, creation, ancient philosophers and "forgiveness of sin" merely cause eyes to roll. To argue about these things, the link author says, is a waste of one's time.
The author then provides various reasons why the faithful should continue on within its circle of believers. He treats as a powerful reason to continue the faith is its "long" history of 2,000 years. While the 2,000 years argument may help a believer ward off the temptation to leave, it certainly is a weak argument for separating truth from fiction. Two thousand years out of 300,000 years of human history is but a drop in the bucket.
He mentions "sin" many times in his blog. It is as if the non-believer can receive something by avoiding "sin" or having "sin" erased from his story. "Sin" seems to me the hardest thing for a believer to let go of when leaving the faith and the hardest thing for a non-believer to latch onto to enter that faith. While there are believers who do not want to admit "sin" is central to belief, it seems self-evident in actual experience. For the vast majority of believers "sin" is at the center of the bull's eye. Once a person figures out there is good behavior and bad behavior or behaving in ways harmful helpful to society he will find "sin" over there in la la land. Once sin is off leaded belief is gone.
The link's best argument for remaining in the faith is that believers are helped by it. I think is generally agreed upon among atheists that if one needs the faith to be happy one should embrace it. The mistake made by some believers is they feel they can help others by testifying about how happy they are. He quotes author Jordon Peterson who wrote, "To heal the world, start with yourself." Going bonkers in the faith allows some to turn back their personal woes. Power to them. Keep the faith.
Conclusions based on evidence remains a most powerful force in our culture. It was not always so but today is different than decades ago.
The great Catholic preacher and teacher, Bishop Fulton Sheen, claimed he never made a Christian out of a non-believer. He always described himself as the clay that God molded as He willed. Any conversions to Catholicism was the work of the Holy Spirit. Abortions in States with bans are down 96%.
ReplyDeleteRead other good news at www.lifenews.com
JMJ
Matt "JMJ" I don't think these figures from the Bible would want to associate with the untruthful comments you make here regularly.
DeleteThat Bishop Sheen said converts happened because of the "Holy Spirit" certainly does not make it true. The "Holy Spirit" certainly would be making many more converts today if it could. But the convert are not happening, evidence they never had anything to do with the Holy Spirit.
Then there is you statement abortions in states with bans are down 96%. Your practice here over and over again is to list references that do not conclude what you claim they conclude. A little reading would help you a lot. The article includes two statements that refute your rosy conclusion, The numbers presented "doesn't include the abortion pills being shipped in illegally." (About 1/2 of all abortions are done by pills) And, "We really don't have good data on abortions nationwide."
You remind me of a time when Jesus was praying in the desert only to have the Devil tempt him with all sorts of tests to prove himself. I think His response was 'get behind me, Satan'.
DeleteJust because you think the Holy Spirit should be "certainly" making many more converts all over doesn't make the lack of conversions proof that the Holy Spirit doesn't exist.
Are you upset with God that he gave you, me, everyone 'free will'? It sure seems you have one standard for God and if He doesn't perform like the trained monkey you expect Him to be, then He doesn't exist.
I'm not going to try to persuade you God exists.
As for the abortion numbers, it is obvious you are infuriated with the decline in women choosing abortion. You are infuriated with the Federal Judge who stopped the distribution of mifepristone through the mail, etc.
May I suggest you have a Bud Light to soothe yourself. You might be able to save the brand from itself.
BTW, abortions in North Dakota are down 100% which isn't to say women from North Dakota aren't going elsewhere, just that the overturning of Roe v Wade has chased North Dakota's only child killer into Minnesota.
DeleteMatt--"It's obvious you are frustrated with the decline in women choosing abortion."
ReplyDeleteWhat's not obvious yet at least is whether there is a decline in abortions. And if there is, how much of a decline has happened. We know from history in the U.S. and other countries abortion numbers are little affected by laws in favor or against abortion. When numbers do change, low income women do not get abortions, higher incomes do.
In the states that have outlawed abortions, we should see a spike in the number of births per one thousand women. If that spike does not happen it is likely the same number of abortions took place. Although birth control and the age of the population can influence that number as well.
From the link, “Cultural thought has keenly normalized objections to the Christian faith.”
ReplyDeleteJon, do you draw a distinction between Christian faith and Christian culture?
“Cultural thought has keenly normalized objections to the Christian faith.”
DeleteI think my terms Christian faith and Christian culture were poorly chosen.
Perhaps Biblical Christian and Cultural Christian are a better choice.
Its been said culture is always an expression of the faith that informs it.
Biblical Christians are special believers on a demanding path of justification and sanctification requiring personal sacrifice, surrender and submission to the will of God. It’s all Jesus, all the time. Hallelujah! Now that’s a culture unto itself.
Cultural Christians are the majority of believers. They prefer to customize their faith and it’s practice for personal comfort. Most are thoughtful of others and good neighbors. They can talk the Bible talk, wear the bling, and vote for the Biblical Christian fits of cultural engineering they prefer or support progressive secular cultural expression that suits their situation without having a shit hemorrhage.
Heaven awaits the latter.
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-s-the-difference-between-biblical-and-cultural-christianity.html
https://www.crossroad.to/charts/cultural-Christianity.html
Deny the Holy Spirit? There's a term for that.
ReplyDelete