Well we've come to the final two of the "top ten" list. I realize the answers or thoughts we've given here, were they to have even been read by Atheists which I kinda doubt, would be insufficient to persuade them differently. But, you know, I'm not doing this to persuade anyone about anything really. I'm doing this for a number of reasons from my own perspective...
a) Because it's fun.
b) Because I wanted to.
c) Because I like to hear what other people think about things.
d) Because Atheists are worth listening to.
e) Because it has a way of showing us stuff about ourselves.
d) Because we all might learn something.
e) Because God might show up in little ways.
f) Because it's fun..[I said that didn't I.]
So now the final two signs. Remember our verse. Thanks for participating. Keep being Berean type believers. What do you think?
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Top Ten Signs That You Are An Ignorant, Unquestioning Christian:
NUMBER NINE
You feel insulted and ‘dehumanized’ when scientists say that people evolved from lesser life forms, but you have no problem with the Biblical claim that we were created from dirt.
NUMBER TEN
You vigorously deny the existence of thousands of gods claimed by other religions, but feel outraged when someone denies the existence of your god.
Paul B.
9 comments:
Well I am gonna have trouble with the last two, because I don't ever feel dehumanized, or outraged. Am I supposed to?
But I get the points therein. But most seem to point at really knowing what you believe. Deeply. Too much of the river of Southern Baptisms runs a mile wide and an inch deep, IMNHO.
Paul,
#9
Since we always return to where we came, what does a person become when they die – a tadpole or dirt?
Case closed. :)
I would add that God never made something from nothing. He made everything from his energy.
#10
Yes, I’m outraged when someone denies the existence of God because he made all the other gods.
Hey! I thought these last ones were going to be hard.
Paul,
My attitude has changed considerably since my young days when I stood in the pulpit thinking I emphatically knew the answers to life's questions.
After all, I'd been taught by the experts (professors etc.). I was soon to learn that an expert (ex-spurt) was nothing more than a drip under pressure.
Now, at seventy, I am certain that I don't know much, and am convinced that K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) is the way to go when trying to explain Scripture, hence my answers.
Therefore I must ditto what Bob says for these last two.
I must confess that I feel pity and concern rather than insulted, dehumanized, or outraged at an unbelievers unbelief. I am so very grateful that my Father, God, wasn't insulted, dehumanized, or outraged at my unbelief so many years ago.
I am saddened when I realize that many, who claim the name Christian,are so insecure in their faith that they have to launch into long technical diatribe, often rude, towards unbelievers. They are not proving anything to the unbeliever, but trying to convince themselves that what they say they believe is true.
When you began this series I told my wife that you like wielding a large spoon. I was right! :)
All,
It HAS been fun to hear from you on each of these signs offered by Atheists. I think we would all agree on some basic points that several of you have made along the way and a few I'm adding.
1) No one will be convinced of anything voiced in this list unless someone greater than this comment group convinces them.
2) No one of us has ALL the answers to ANY set of questions asked, even those of a theological nature.
3) No one of us can adequately explain all we DO believe about this wonderful gracious personal God we know through the person of Christ.
4) If Atheists see Christians through jaded eyes it may be for good reason often.
5) If Christians see Atheists through jaded eyes it may be we've forgotton some instructions from our Lord.
6) No illustration from the natural world ADEQUATELY translates the true biblical picture of reality.
7) TO listen is an art not developed by all.
And my final thought on this..IS to quote Woody Allen..
"You cannot prove the NONEXISTENCE of God; you just have to take it on faith."
[Woody Allen, as quoted by Dick Cavett.]
Well, it happens again. I arrive too late and Bob, Aussie, and Paul have said everything. And much better than I would have.
Paul, let me say thanks for a very engaging set of posts. I've certainly enjoyed the banter. And learned a whole lot, too.
Rex,
What makes you say that we always return to where we come from? How do you know that it was your God who created all the other gods and that He was not created Himself?
Is it because that is what the Bible teaches? Because if so, how does that help the Atheist?
Chris,
First, I want to make a correction. I should not have said “God created all other gods.”
I should have said, ‘God created all things that some worship as other gods.’ (Sun god…etc.)
You answered your first two questions with your third question.
I figure your only question is: “How does that [the Bible] help the Atheist?”
I believe you’d agree the Bible lifts Jesus up, and Jesus said, “If I be lifted up, I’ll draw all men to me.”
So, let me redirect your question to Jesus.
Rodney, you haven’t replied about business meetings.
You weren’t here when the ‘hottest’ business meeting I’ve seen took place.
A man (not me) bought a door that had a window, and paid for replacing the solid door to the nursery.
Battle lines were drawn and it went on and on with one side saying it was the law to help insure ‘safety’ for children. The other side said it hurt the ‘looks’ of the church and some were offended they were not trusted.
It ended when I was able to get a word in to say: “Stop it – just stop it. All we’re doing is getting angry and it’s hurting our church.”
Our preacher, who was sitting behind me, gave me a note. I noticed he was smiling. The note said, “I hate it when I have to agree with you.”
The last time I talked with him in the hospital, I said, “You got to get well and help us on these bylaws.”
He said with a smile: “I’d rather stay sick.”
At first I did not know what question you were referring to then I went back and found it.
Rex, I am not sure what you are getting at..or if this is the appropriate forum to discuss your question. After all the post is about Atheists...which neither one of us are :)
Let me just says this, I do not know how I would have handled the situation in Acts 15. I think they did a pretty good job of it from my perspective.
Then again, I do not believe it was handled the way you believe it was handled. :)
As far as the SBC is concerned, that is a much broader question that the time and space provided here is not conducive to answering.
As far as our church buisness and deacons meetings are concerned...
Some have gone well and others have not. Some of that is my fault. Some of that is not.
Some of that is due to the fact that working is a Southern Baptist is like herding cats!
Rodney,
We’re on topic if you understand my question.
You said, in dealing with Atheists: “In most cases, arguments and debates are useless...dialogue is not.”
I disagreed with you by asking: “So, how would you conduct the First Church Counsel in Acts 15, the SBC, church and deacon’s meetings? :)
Lets pretend the party of the Christian Pharisees were Atheists. Paul did not have dialogue with them: “But after Paul and Barnabus had engaged them in serious argument and debate…” (Acts 15:2)
You don’t have to ‘herd cats’ if you have their food bowl. The food bowl for Baptists is Jesus.
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