[quote]thunderbolt23 wrote:
steveo5801 wrote:
If you are a true Christian, why would you want these threads to end?
Several reasons.
I enjoy political debates here on T-Nation. Evangelicizing in a thread is not a debate. Further, even if there is a desire to do so, there is no need for yet another thread - there are already plenty.
A Christian means “follower of Christ,” and so you should want to do what He says. Christ said to go into “all the world” and preach the Gospel. Part of the world today is the internet and forums such as these.
If someone wants to know my perspective on religion, they can ask. If we are in a thread discussing who will win the Super Bowl, I am not going to have the audacity to start cramming my religious beliefs down someone’s throat.
Here is the inherent problem - Christ wants his followers to preach the gospel and bring it to other people. Of course he does. What you aren’t getting is that your method is actually counterproductive - a barrage of evangelism doesn’t get anyone else closer to God. Does it make you feel better about yourself? Yes. Does it actually create a constructive conversation with people regarding religion so as to possibly get them to see the value in Christianity? No - if you don’t think so, look no further than these threads.
So, my “Christian” friend, what’s wrong with your walk with Christ? Do you really have a relationship with Him? If so, you should (as Christ Himself shows us in His Word) be about your “Father’s business.”
Consider this a warning, friend - don’t question my religion. The “scare” quotes aren’t helping you out.
My relationship is just fine - and it is my business. As for my desire to spread the Gospel - I prefer to do it in a constructive way, rather than clumsily try and force the conversation into places it doesn’t want to go.
And just because someone doesn’t share your brand of tactical evangelism doesn’t mean you have earned some station to judge the value of their relationship with God.
I would urge you to open your Bible and really make sure that you have eternal life and thus really are a Christian. Look at the words of Jesus:
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46
Somehow not wanting another useless thread on evangelism on a political forum is straying from the path of Christian duty? Laughable. Here’s why.
If anything, these type threads hurt the value of your Christian message. No one is engaging in a meaningful dialogue about God or Christianity with these clumsy threads. Again, you feel great thinking you are fulfilling your duty - but are you actually making any progress? Nope. Don’t confuse action with progress.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23
Fantastic - but your efforts are doing nothing but making non-Christians hunker down and resist. Why not try and actually change some minds?
You have the ‘look busy’ approach down - doesn’t matter that you make no headway in getting the message of Christianity out, only that you break a sweat going through the motions. If you are a soldier of God, consider yourself in deriliction of duty.[/quote]
I won’t go “point by point” with you here. I will state only what the Bible says and what Jesus Himself has said.
If the results or how it looks was the standard, then Jesus’ own brand of evangelism wouldn’t be welcome here either. Remember, He was crucified for it!
God’s Word does say that whenever the Word of God is preached (and it doesn’t qualify the method) it doesn’t “return void, but accomplishes what God intends it to.” Isaiah 55:8ff.
I try to be as sweet spirited and respectful of others, and I think I allow for differing views, even though I seek to counter them with Scripural arguments.
I was not judging your relationship, I was asking you about it, because those who truly claim the name of Jesus Christ are not usually apt to criticize the “methods” of others, nor question the intent of others as you have questioned my intent and motives.
I am not “looking busy” by doing these things – I am very busy in many areas of Christian ministry and service. I do this because I can reach and discuss these things with people I have never met and (unless we have some kind of T-Nation reunion or event we all can meet) probably will never meet.
Finally, I don’t recall seeing you attack anyone else who posts threads conerning atheism, Buddism, evolution, etc. Why Christianity?