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Tereo:What They're Saying Behind Our Backs
by Mike Frandson (Mike's bio)
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' . . .Thou shalt love the Lord thy God . . . with all thy mind' (see Matthew 22:37 for the complete wording of the Great Commandment).
Josh McDowell, author of 'New Evidence That Demands A Verdict', set out as an undergraduate college student to 'disprove' Jesus. Was he in for a surprise! Like other scholars before him, Josh's search lead him to the decision that the man known as Jesus of Nazareth was, indeed, the Son of God.
Currently, I am re-reading 'Evidence . . . ' for the third time. It is not light reading. The book is written in a debater's outline form and is 'hefty', to say the least. Regardless, the book is essential reading for any student of defending our Christian faith. Here are some illustrations borrowed from the introduction to that book to introduce what our critics are saying:
Critic #1) 'Christianity is a religion of blind faith'
This reminds me of the comments that I have read in the past about Christianity and religion being the 'pablum' of the ignorant or uneducated. These critics imply that Christians have to commit intellectual suicide to be 'saved', or to follow Christ. So consider this as you think about salvation for the 'simple':
First, I can not imagine a God who COULD discriminate. His salvation had to be 'inclusive' and not 'exclusive'. A perfect God would have a perfect means of redemption, not just something for the healthy, wealthy, and wise. He had to include a way of salvation for the mentally challenged, who perhaps could not read or quote the Bible. He had to provide for the physically challenged person who cannot get out on sabbath days to worship or who can't take part in evangelistic missions. And God had to provide for the poor, who don't have or cannot afford tithes, animal, and/or grain sacrifices, as required by the 'Law'. Christianity is very, very simple at it's core but it is not founded on intellectual suicide.
Salvation HAD to be simple and inclusive but it was not blind faith that said, 'You shall KNOW the truth and the truth shall make you free.' (John 8:32)
The great scholar and apostle Paul wrote to his young aid, Timothy, shortly before dying: '. . . nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I KNOW whom I have believed . . .' (II Timothy 1:12). Inside a prison and facing his own death, Paul could have recanted and saved his life but chose instead to admonish his young disciple to NOT faint.
Critic #2) 'You don't have to believe in the Bible or be a Christian. Just Be Sincere . . . Live A Good Life'
Devote Muslims pray several times a day. Buddhists spend hours in meditation, chanting and seeking their 'salvation'. Does the devotion of these religions overshadow the eloquent simplicity of Christianity? Do these 'good works' of devotion find more favor with God?
Christians say 'No'. We don't need 'works' as was brought up to the first critic . God's salvation is not based on the believer but in the BELIEVED. Who we believe IN, not who is believing.
Critic #3) 'The Bible is full of myths'
Luke, educated physician and historian, writes:
'It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee, in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the CERTAINTY of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed' (Luke 1:3)
Read as the apostle John says twice, 'we have seen' and 'looked upon', as if to emphasis for the disbeliever:
' . . . which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled . . .' (I John, 1:1)
Men would not die a martyr's death for a myth, as did all of the apostles save John.
Critic #4) 'Jesus, historically, is unknowable'
This is a preconceived notion by scholars who want to 'keep an open mind, study the evidence, and make an intelligent decision based on the evidence'! Circular reasoning. If they are, indeed, open to the evidence, then let the witnesses present their story and we'll see if He is knowable or not.
There exists today mounds of evidence from secular writers, ancient Jewish historical writings, as well as our Biblical writers as to the historical evidence of Jesus's life and ministry. A skeptic of this fact is just uninformed.
Critic #5) 'Christians should tolerate other religions or worldviews'
This labels Christian's as 'intolerant'. Do we have any problem with knowing that Washington D.C. is the capital of the country known as the United States of America? The accepted proof is that Washington D.C. is, in fact, the capital of the United States of America. I live in a small conservative town in the backwoods of Missouri. As much as I would like for Mussel Fork, Missouri to be the capital of the United States, it is, in fact, Washington, D.C. that can claim that distinction! The evidence shows that statement to be true about America's capital. If the evidence shows that Jesus of Nazareth, was begotten of God, died, and was raised to life by the Father then we should believe it as the supreme message from the Father since no other religion or world view can make the claims that Christianity does. It does not make us intolerant if we believe in the evidence.
Critic #6) 'I have an intellectual problem with Christianity'
Basically, this critic is saying that his mind is already made up and we shouldn't confuse him with the facts! They disallow consideration of the supernatural, the spirit of human beings, and the idea of an all knowing God over all creation. These people are so conditioned that no argument will convince them otherwise. But God can touch them just like He touched Josh McDowell and look at Josh now!
Next time, we'll start a series on The Bible and how much we can 'trust' it.'Til then, dear reader, remember that coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous!
Copyright 2002, Mike Frandson. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About Mike Frandson:
By day he mulls over engineering drawings, molding presses, and automobile parts as a Quality Control Technician! But by night, he spends his time tickling the literary muse, writing hit songs, raising his children, and Praising his Lord. A layman who was nearly turned away from Christianity by false arguments, Mike now has set out to study the truth about Christianity, and to share these truths with all who are curious about seeking the kingdom of God. Visit Mike's web site |
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