… someone to not tell them about Jesus? I think there is a danger to so focus on serving others and showing compassion to those in need that we never share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who need it. We want to love on people – great! We want to show compassion wonderful! But if we are operating under some misguided notion that we never have to tell – we actually are hating our neighbor, not loving them.
Penn Gillette of Penn & Teller, an avowed atheist, points that out:
“I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell, and you think, ‘Well, it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward’…How much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize?”
Truth from an unlikely source. You can watch his vlog where he discusses this below:
HT: Bill Kinnon
Shane Vander Hart
I think it would be good for this generation of Christians to reexamine what biblical (agape) love is.
It necessarily involves action, sacrifice, others-centeredness, and an unconditional quality. And it’s difficult to love people if you don’t value them.
We’re told to love one another, love our enemies and love our neighbor as ourselves. How can I love my neighbor, who is without Christ, and fail to communicate the coming wrath and the possibility of being reconciled with God?
I can’t.
If there is no effort or desire on my part to share Christ with my neighbors, it is difficult to assert that I love them.
So I think that’s really the issue here. We need our hearts stirred to love as Jesus loves. We need to repent of our lovelessness and inaction. We should be weeping for the lost.
Great video.
Steves last blog post..The Intersection of Theology and Experience
I think it would be good for this generation of Christians to reexamine what biblical (agape) love is.
It necessarily involves action, sacrifice, others-centeredness, and an unconditional quality. And it’s difficult to love people if you don’t value them.
We’re told to love one another, love our enemies and love our neighbor as ourselves. How can I love my neighbor, who is without Christ, and fail to communicate the coming wrath and the possibility of being reconciled with God?
I can’t.
If there is no effort or desire on my part to share Christ with my neighbors, it is difficult to assert that I love them.
So I think that’s really the issue here. We need our hearts stirred to love as Jesus loves. We need to repent of our lovelessness and inaction. We should be weeping for the lost.
Great video.
Steves last blog post..The Intersection of Theology and Experience
All I can say is, WOW. This video really makes you think.
Rebekahs last blog post..Van Johnson – end of a Golden Era
All I can say is, WOW. This video really makes you think.
Rebekahs last blog post..Van Johnson – end of a Golden Era
Good post Shane, I have had this very same discussion with people over the years.
Good post Shane, I have had this very same discussion with people over the years.
“Dang, Jason. We define Hell differently too?” (Steve)
I think there is ‘hell’ now and thats of most importance – but I also think there is an afterlife. As for hell – I think we need to deal with that now – its a message of helping someone to better their lives. I am not against evangelization per se – if people want to share door to door or on the streets that’s cool – its not my focus in life.
“If I had good news like that (and I do) I would be a complete jerk not sharing it” (Shane)
In a way I agree Shane – if I had the answers to some people’s problems and they approached me with these concerns – to not share some solutions for that problem would be selfish (and in a way – mean). But for me – my faith is about dealing with morals and direct problems – not some basic original sin mentality and the atonement. For me, the atonement is very complete – what needs to be shared is Jesus’ insight into God and humanity (and I find this approach has worked excellently).
Societyvss last blog post..#300 Post – Do They Know It’s Christmas Time (at all)
“Dang, Jason. We define Hell differently too?” (Steve)
I think there is ‘hell’ now and thats of most importance – but I also think there is an afterlife. As for hell – I think we need to deal with that now – its a message of helping someone to better their lives. I am not against evangelization per se – if people want to share door to door or on the streets that’s cool – its not my focus in life.
“If I had good news like that (and I do) I would be a complete jerk not sharing it” (Shane)
In a way I agree Shane – if I had the answers to some people’s problems and they approached me with these concerns – to not share some solutions for that problem would be selfish (and in a way – mean). But for me – my faith is about dealing with morals and direct problems – not some basic original sin mentality and the atonement. For me, the atonement is very complete – what needs to be shared is Jesus’ insight into God and humanity (and I find this approach has worked excellently).
Societyvss last blog post..#300 Post – Do They Know It’s Christmas Time (at all)
Jason, I would like to read your exploration/explanation of how Jesus and his apostles agree(d) with your emphasis.
Chris (Jesdisciple)s last blog post..Churches in the World
Jason, I would like to read your exploration/explanation of how Jesus and his apostles agree(d) with your emphasis.
Chris (Jesdisciple)s last blog post..Churches in the World
Out of the mouths of babes… even grizzly, Neanderthalish ones.
HiScriveners last blog post..Even Jesus goes home for the holidays
Out of the mouths of babes… even grizzly, Neanderthalish ones.
HiScriveners last blog post..Even Jesus goes home for the holidays