Sunday, January 07, 2007
Have we nothing to share?
I didn't share these thoughts during Sabbath School yesterday because I couldn't get my thoughts together in a concise manner. Here's the last point I wanted to make.
If I've heard correctly in class, there's a general feeling that our emphasis, when it comes to evangelism, should be along the lines of “we need to respect (or is that accept?) everyone’s beliefs and lifestyles,” and that to point out truth or sin is not being nice! Our society today values “nice” and it’s not nice to believe that we have truths that other people need to hear; that’s arrogance on our part. To tell others these truths might threaten their world view, or their beliefs, and who are we to do that! I think this keeps us from evangelizing, which is what Satan wants when it comes to exposing his deceptions in these last days.
I respect people that have different beliefs, but that doesn’t mean I agree with them or should legitimize their belief systems. Am I acting in Christian love in withholding truths they need to know to inherit eternal life just to be nice and be considered open minded? I don't believe that “all paths lead to God.” Of course we don't have all the truth, but we have a lot that's worth telling! We have a responsiblity before God to tell what we know and warn people of what's coming.
Fellow Christians of other denominations are in as much danger, if not MORE, from the deceptions that are coming on the world as are non-Christians when it comes to salvation. When Satan works miracles or demons impersonate angels, won’t Christians be the first ones to herald that this is from God? Is it “sheep stealing” to warn Christians also?
I won't be in Sabbath School this coming Sabbath, but I'd be interested in reading other people's thoughts in response to my posts. Thanks, Brent for all the effort you put into our class.
If I've heard correctly in class, there's a general feeling that our emphasis, when it comes to evangelism, should be along the lines of “we need to respect (or is that accept?) everyone’s beliefs and lifestyles,” and that to point out truth or sin is not being nice! Our society today values “nice” and it’s not nice to believe that we have truths that other people need to hear; that’s arrogance on our part. To tell others these truths might threaten their world view, or their beliefs, and who are we to do that! I think this keeps us from evangelizing, which is what Satan wants when it comes to exposing his deceptions in these last days.
I respect people that have different beliefs, but that doesn’t mean I agree with them or should legitimize their belief systems. Am I acting in Christian love in withholding truths they need to know to inherit eternal life just to be nice and be considered open minded? I don't believe that “all paths lead to God.” Of course we don't have all the truth, but we have a lot that's worth telling! We have a responsiblity before God to tell what we know and warn people of what's coming.
Fellow Christians of other denominations are in as much danger, if not MORE, from the deceptions that are coming on the world as are non-Christians when it comes to salvation. When Satan works miracles or demons impersonate angels, won’t Christians be the first ones to herald that this is from God? Is it “sheep stealing” to warn Christians also?
I won't be in Sabbath School this coming Sabbath, but I'd be interested in reading other people's thoughts in response to my posts. Thanks, Brent for all the effort you put into our class.
Labels: evangelism, religion
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To me the issue is not "being nice", but that we must be honest and humble with our message.
Over the years we have been wrong or off base many times. Our church was very legalistic in the mid 20th century. Many scenarios have been floated over the years about end-time sequences---then the scenario had to be altered as time went on. Also, our forefathers wrongly believed in the shut door theory (this was revised as decades passed after the 1844 date). Early church leaders debated the doctrine of trinity. We have not always been honest about the role of Ellen White (this can be a stumbling block to those who find things on the internet that they weren't told in evangelistic meetings.)
I believe we have the best synthesis of truth from the Bible, yet when I reflect on our denominational history, I feel humility and awe that God uses our church---even with our flaws and bumpiness. Yet He does. He graciously tweaks us and teaches us; that is beautiful.
To me, the big responsibility is to live the life described in Micah 6:8. Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly......
Over the years we have been wrong or off base many times. Our church was very legalistic in the mid 20th century. Many scenarios have been floated over the years about end-time sequences---then the scenario had to be altered as time went on. Also, our forefathers wrongly believed in the shut door theory (this was revised as decades passed after the 1844 date). Early church leaders debated the doctrine of trinity. We have not always been honest about the role of Ellen White (this can be a stumbling block to those who find things on the internet that they weren't told in evangelistic meetings.)
I believe we have the best synthesis of truth from the Bible, yet when I reflect on our denominational history, I feel humility and awe that God uses our church---even with our flaws and bumpiness. Yet He does. He graciously tweaks us and teaches us; that is beautiful.
To me, the big responsibility is to live the life described in Micah 6:8. Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly......
# posted by 
: 5:37 PM
: 5:37 PM
Yes, we need to be more honest about our history. But for that matter, we need to know our history and not just the bad parts!
Ignoring our church history allows us to bring a fresh ignorance to every new issue we face.
By the way, I'm guilty too on this.
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Ignoring our church history allows us to bring a fresh ignorance to every new issue we face.
By the way, I'm guilty too on this.
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