Category Archives: evangelism

Christopher Hitchens Interview — More evidence bad theology drives people away from Jesus

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I heard a great feature this morning on NPR’s show “Morning Edition,” in which the brothers Christopher and Peter Hitchens were interviewed.  Christopher, as most of you likely know, is a world-famous atheist (I would describe him as an anti-theist fundamentalist) who rails against those who hold to faith, and who wrote the bestseller “God is Not Great.”  What I did not know is that … Continue reading Christopher Hitchens Interview — More evidence bad theology drives people away from Jesus »

The Gospel According to Heinlein, or Why Christians are sometimes God’s worst enemies…

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Over the past few days I read Robert A. Heinlein’s 1984 book Job: A Comedy of Justice.  For those who enjoy mind-bending adventures with an eternal twist, I recommend it as a fun story.  Be forewarned: if you only enjoy fiction that comports with your theology and cosmology,  and you consider yourself an orthodox Christian, this book is probably not for you.  But if you … Continue reading The Gospel According to Heinlein, or Why Christians are sometimes God’s worst enemies… »

McLaren – "A New Kind of Christianity" – Thoughts on John 14:6

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Yesterday I discussed at length my criticism of Brian McLaren’s perspective on homosexuality, and to some extent sexuality in general, in his book A New Kind of Christianity.  Today I want to laud a point that McLaren has gotten absolutely right, in chapter 19 of the same book, entitled “The Pluralism Question: How Should Followers of Jesus Relate to People of Other Religions?”  Here I’ll … Continue reading McLaren – "A New Kind of Christianity" – Thoughts on John 14:6 »

Why do you "need" God?

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My wife and I finally watched “Fireproof” yesterday.  Though preachier than I might prefer, I overall enjoyed it as a well-done and worthwhile movie.  I was bothered by the content of the obligatory “Gospel Message” in the middle, though.  In usual form, the sage believer lectures the unbelieving hero on how he “can’t measure up to God’s standard” because he’s “broken God’s law.”  The “Gospel,” … Continue reading Why do you "need" God? »

Evangelism – what does it mean to share the gospel?

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I’m going to write about this in more detail some day, but I just came across a post that addresses my concerns very well. In fact, Dave has highlighted one of my biggest issues with the usual methods of “presenting the gospel,” by going back to Acts and looking at what the apostles actually talked about when THEY presented the gospel. Not too surprisingly (to … Continue reading Evangelism – what does it mean to share the gospel? »

Eternal destiny, part 4: What about those who’ve never heard?

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The second element of the question put to me was as regards the eternal state of those who have never heard the gospel, and consequently have never had the opportunity to accept or reject Christ. This is a problematic concept when we try and break it down logically, and I readily admit this. However the uncomfortable reality is that Scripture is nearly silent on the … Continue reading Eternal destiny, part 4: What about those who’ve never heard? »

Eternal destiny, part 2: Begging the Question

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The clearest finding I come to from this study was something I had already suspected, but I was still surprised by the preponderance of evidence that came through. This is that the concept of hell and condemnation is used in the New Testament primarily as a warning to those who claim to believe, or who claim God’s privilege. It is not used as a warning … Continue reading Eternal destiny, part 2: Begging the Question »

Eternal destiny, part 1

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Note: The source New Testament study on which this series is based is now available here I’ve already posted about my aversion to statements of faith in general, and to specific points in the commonly-accepted evangelical doctrinal statements. In the next several posts I want to take on one specific point in Evangelical doctrine that I believe is seriously misguided–the subject of eternal condemnation/hell. As … Continue reading Eternal destiny, part 1 »