Arguing Scripture

Q: I saw your reply to the atheist's comments to your article on http://www.changingthefaceofchristianity.com/ recently. Are you saying that atheists are wrong? How can you say that?



A: I didn't reply publicly to those comments to my article --- so I'm hard pressed to imagine how you saw them. Could it be that you are that same individual trying to draw me into another debate?


The allegation in those comments were that my article represented the "same ol' Christian bias and bigotry," among other things. My response - which I sent to the writer privately - included the fact that if atheists are right in that there is no god, then the Christians, Jews, Muslims, etc. are wrong. Similarly, if the Christians, Jews, Muslims, or other theists are right, then the atheists are wrong. The point here is that someone has to be wrong. And that is the foundation to any dialogue that we're going to have between atheists and theists (be they Christian or otherwise).

It is not biased and bigoted to be a theist. If it were, then the majority of the world, which believes in some form of god or gods would all be biased and bigots. In fact, only the atheists would escape that damning definition.

I will never debate Scripture with someone who doesn't believe that it is the true Word of God. Even then, I wouldn't debate it. Rather I would join someone in exploring its meaning. The Bible (God's Word) specifically tells us not to get into such debates and arguments. (2 Timothy 2:23-24). Moreover, God says that when we get into such arguments with others (be they Christians or otherwise) we are behaving sinfully (James 4:1-2) and worldly (1 Corinthians 3:3).

Christianity's Challenge

Q: What do you think is the biggest problem in Christianity today?

A: Ignorance. People who call themselves Christians don't take the time to educate themselves about all of the implications of their being identified with Christ. As a result, they don't know what they are supposed to do and not do. So they end up looking very foolish --- some might say hypocritical. Even though they call themselves Christians, they look nothing like Christ.

Changing the Face of Christianity

Q: You've endorsed your friend who runs this non-profit, Changing the Face of Christianity. Yet he's a former atheist and hasn't really been a Christian very long. Does he have seminary training? How do you know he's right about the beliefs he's espousing? How do you know he can really succeed in this endeavor?

A: I have prayed with the man and have become convinced that he's responding to (i.e., obeying) God in this matter. I'm not aware that he has any formal theological training. But I don't believe that's required for someone to be used by God to do a great work. Said differently, I don't believe seminary is Biblical. (Yes, I really did just say that!) I've tested what he's said (i.e., "the beliefs he's espousing") against God's Word and find them to be accurate beliefs.

As far as the mission of Changing the Face of Christianity succeeding, that's a broad category. We haven't for example, defined what success would look like. Even if we do define it, I suspect it may not be achievable in one lifetime. Frankly, the face of Christianity won't change until the face of the Christians change. If Brad and his team can get even one more Christian to step up to the plate and actually live for Christ, I'd consider it a worthwhile effort.