"Listening to young atheists, Lessons for a stronger Christianity"

As a regular subscriber to "To the Source" I found this article quite interesting and thought I would share it. I would also recommend everyone to become a subscriber to the blog.

http://www.tothesource.org/8_7_2013/8_7_2013.htm

 

Where in the Bible does it say to listen to the lost to be a better Christian? I believe the example to look to and follow is Christ.

 

Amen!

The worst thing you could do is get pointers from one who is a "lover of the world" and "enemy of God"!

 

If one is not familiar with what the world is teaching, and the latest science and arguments being made, how can you address their arguments? Didn't Paul use this very approach to an extent on Mars Hill? Thank God for people like William Lane Craig who also employ such methodology to bring the lost to Christ!

 

Perhaps the two of you are not concerned with the spiritual welfare of the millions of college students who arrive on campuses around the nation each fall with little to no spiritual foundation. They so easily fall prey to the "evangelization" of secular and markedly godless groups with agendas to challenge issues of faith and christianity. I, on the other hand, spend my life surrounded by many of these young people, I wish to know best how to reach and challenge them with a sound, reasonable and rational basis for my faith.

 

:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
I have the greatest respect for men like William Lane Craig, those who engage the "new atheists" in open and honest intellectual manners.

 

Statements like this are the reason why discussion go south around here. This mentality that if it is not done my way then you do not care about the people is childish. It is childish because it is a statement made out of a dislike of criticism.

We in fact care about all the lost. But the standard for a better Christianity is to emulate Christ not poll the lost to see how they like it. Not everybody liked Christ either, and you will not find one single example of this tactic in scripture.

 

As do I. Its foolish to not know the tactics of the enemy. Its like a football team deciding not to scout their opponents' players, system, plays, etc. and instead just study their own play book harder expecting to win on game day.

 

FYI

per·haps
/pərˈ(h)aps/

Adverb

Used to express uncertainty or possibility: "perhaps I should have been frank with him".
Used when one does not wish to be too definite or assertive in the expression of an opinion.

 

The use of the word "perhaps" does nothing to ease the accusation. Grow up

 

Listening to atheists in order to make a better Christianity does nothing to tell us what the methods of Satan are.

 

I am grown up, PERHAPS you should consider your own advice.

 

I disagree completely. Its the very method God uses that I have chosen for my signature.

 

Based on the title the intended outcome is not to determine what Satan is doing. The title suggests the intended outcome is to be better Christians. Two completely different things and inappropriate.

 

I didn't get that from the title. Our faith is strengthened by knowing the fallacies we are up against. How can you not be a better follower of Christ by not only studying the opposition, but knowing how to biblically refute those lies?

 

Know the truth that will take care of everything else.

 

What do you tell young atheists about Adam's parents?

 

Well Aaron, I do not teach science. I teach mathematics. When I have one on one personal discussions with students, if the subject is brought up (by them) I explain the general different perspectives.

1. The Naturalistic Position of cosmology and biology which espouses absolutely no need for a god or creator

2. The "bio-logos" position

3. The ID position

4. The creation science position

I do my best to explain each position as honestly and genuinely as possible and then suggest that they read scripture, literature, research and talk to many others who hold these and variants of these positions. Ultimately, they must decide (choose) where they stand on the issue.

 

Listening to outsiders is important insofar as it helps us consider our blindspots. However, we must keep in mind they shouldn't inform our theology to change it negatively.

Books like Dave Kinnaman's Unchristian are important to see how we're perceived by outsiders.

Knowing that many 20somethings look at our churches and see something that might not be there. Having the info that let's me anticipate their perception allows me to shape how I approach dialogue and engagement with them.

It doesn't change my theology on any of these issues, but can (should) tenderize my approach to be ever more gracious.

For instance, one of the challenges is knowing that many outsiders to Christianity think we're homophobes. Well we're not, and my position on homosexuality isn't going to change, but I can see how we're perceived to be and that allows me to make a different move when talking about or engaging with someone in dialogue about this issue.

Also, when it comes to our worship gatherings, I regularly go and find one or two families who aren't believers and invite them to come with a "secret shopper" mentality in evaluating our ministries.

Outside perspective helps.

 

Thanks for sharing the link, after reading the editorial and reviews, will now have to put it in line for a read. Thanks so much for your input. Blessings