Thursday, July 12, 2007

The End of the World and Apologetics

I meant to post something here yesterday about the gospel and evangelism. But I got busy in a little debate with someone over at Joe Carter's Evangelical Outpost. It all started over a "rapture friendly" theological video. You can view the video here and then scroll down to read our exchange. So, what do you think? Is that evangelism? Did I present the gospel? Or is it apologetics? Or some of all. I'd appreciate your input since I'm apparently gone off the deep end.

Update:So, is this a complement?


Brad,

I respect you for sticking up for your beliefs in a polite and thoughtful way. But the divergence between your good character and the horrible things you claim to believe is just made all the more stark to me by your calm, rational delivery.


The horrible things that I am claiming are that men are sinful and deserving of death and hell. Also, I claim that outside of Jesus Christ there is no salvation.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Brad, if what you said is offensive to anyone, then it needs to be offensive. I wish more people would read Piper's book, God is the Gospel.

Many Christians do not believe that man is sinful and that we deserve hell and that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Unfortunately, many in our Southern Baptist Churches do not believe it including some pastors.

Lisa Spence said...

No input here, except to say "Whew!" Yours was a well articulated clear presentation of the truth of the gospel, so what if it was "calm and rational?" :-) What saddens me is although Matthew is a self proclaimed atheist (as if linking Hitchens' book wasn't a clue) some of his views are no doubt shared by many who claim faith in God.

I was just shocked at how FEW people were left in the church at the end of the video! But maybe I'm just a cynic...

Lisa Spence said...

Yes, I feel a little silly amending my comment like two days later, but I realized that what I meant to say was that no doubt many who claim faith in God share Matthew's line of reasoning (not so much his specific views, atheism for example), his line of reasoning being: God must be fair or just, but fair or just according to my perception of what is fair or just. Many church goers base their belief in God on what they think He should be, and not so much on His revelation of Himself in His Word.

And that's what I meant to say.