Steve, Any chance you could write one of your point-counterpoint blog entries in response to that young man’s “my story” entry? I think many of us would find it beneficial to see how to respond to these types of situations/testimonies.
I second Abide's request. This would be a good exercise.
I appreciated the honesty in Luke's story which makes it more compelling and scary at the same time. As a father and a pastor with 4 sons, this story gives me pause for concern as well.
The nature of true saving faith I think is a crucial issue in our day when I think so much of the professing world in Evangelical Christianity rests on shaky ground. As a sub-theme, the relationship between faith, knowledge and certainty is another important issue. I would love for the Triablogue team to address this in light of Luke's story.
The only problem with such a request is that there weren't a lot of details in the "testimony" to directly rebut. In other words, he says that there were several inconsistencies that he found in Christianity, contradictions, and failed expectations--but without his listing what exactly those were, it's impossible to respond to them.
I wasn't thinking so much about the "historical Jesus" issues as I was the whole psychology of apostasy and unbelief. Some people's stories of apostasy are understandable in light of the descriptions of their apparent former faith. Others seem more remarkable as they have tasted more deeply of the "heavenly gift." Luke seems to fall in the latter category.
Ah. Well, I'll try to put something up in the next few hours then. Although I should point out that Steve's already done a few posts that deal with the general concepts too. And since I haven't spoken with him (I lost the connection on my ear-piece when I fell into a swimming pool and it shorted out), he might decide to do a post as well.
I read the author's story. It made me wince a few times.
ReplyDeleteJugulum,
ReplyDeleteThat story made me wince too. As a father of two young children, what he described was one of my worst nightmares that could happen to my children.
That dude is apostate.
The guy has a list of 424 debates between atheists and theists. Many of which have links where you can download the debate.
ReplyDeletehttp://commonsenseatheism.com/?p=50
Steve, Any chance you could write one of your point-counterpoint blog entries in response to that young man’s “my story” entry? I think many of us would find it beneficial to see how to respond to these types of situations/testimonies.
ReplyDeleteI second Abide's request. This would be a good exercise.
ReplyDeleteI appreciated the honesty in Luke's story which makes it more compelling and scary at the same time. As a father and a pastor with 4 sons, this story gives me pause for concern as well.
The nature of true saving faith I think is a crucial issue in our day when I think so much of the professing world in Evangelical Christianity rests on shaky ground. As a sub-theme, the relationship between faith, knowledge and certainty is another important issue. I would love for the Triablogue team to address this in light of Luke's story.
The only problem with such a request is that there weren't a lot of details in the "testimony" to directly rebut. In other words, he says that there were several inconsistencies that he found in Christianity, contradictions, and failed expectations--but without his listing what exactly those were, it's impossible to respond to them.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't thinking so much about the "historical Jesus" issues as I was the whole psychology of apostasy and unbelief. Some people's stories of apostasy are understandable in light of the descriptions of their apparent former faith. Others seem more remarkable as they have tasted more deeply of the "heavenly gift." Luke seems to fall in the latter category.
ReplyDeleteAh. Well, I'll try to put something up in the next few hours then. Although I should point out that Steve's already done a few posts that deal with the general concepts too. And since I haven't spoken with him (I lost the connection on my ear-piece when I fell into a swimming pool and it shorted out), he might decide to do a post as well.
ReplyDelete