S/O - Kind of a rant, but feel free to add your comments

[Guard Dad]

LisaC, you just don't get it.

No one said Christians shouldn't proclaim the word of God. But for God's sake (literally), we should use some tact and present it in a way that interests others in it instead of driving them away.

Too often, we blow it. I don't think we usually mean to, but sometimes we're over-zealous, poorly trained, and sometimes we just have an attitude that we're somehow better than they are. The latter is what tics me off, and why I posted the scripture above. Sorry, but doing it that way doesn't win souls. In fact, it usually drives people away and makes them think Christians are a bunch of arrogant jerks.

You mentioned Billy Graham in FB. What a wonderful example of what a Christian witness should be! Bold in his faith and always ready to tell others about Jesus; but he never ever came across as arrogant or above those who he spoke to.

This is what bothers me about your post - mostly because I am not arrogant and over-zealous when it comes to telling folks about Jesus. I generally wait until they ask so those comments don't apply to me. The problem I have with what you posted is that we are watering down the truth. We are telling people what THEY want to hear and sometimes that means that we are changing what the Word of God says. That is not what we are called to do.


P.S. Billy Graham has no tact. He will flat out tell you that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God.

You don't seem to think we can present the Gospel accurately and honestly without watering it down. I totally disagree.

Billy Graham does use tact; he tells it like it is but in a loving manner that never seems arrogant nor elitist. He is probably the most loved and respected preacher ever, short of Jesus himself. Contrast him with someone like Jerry Falwell who could come across as downright mean and he often presented himself as being somehow better than those around him. IMO, Falwell did Christianity a lot of harm because of how he acted and presented himself.

This above is what I'm referring to. Both men preaching the gospel; one in a sweet and loving manner that draws people in, the other in a somewhat mean and arrogant way that turns people off.

 

[J-man]

opcorn

 

[LisaC]

LisaC, you just don't get it.

No one said Christians shouldn't proclaim the word of God. But for God's sake (literally), we should use some tact and present it in a way that interests others in it instead of driving them away.

Too often, we blow it. I don't think we usually mean to, but sometimes we're over-zealous, poorly trained, and sometimes we just have an attitude that we're somehow better than they are. The latter is what tics me off, and why I posted the scripture above. Sorry, but doing it that way doesn't win souls. In fact, it usually drives people away and makes them think Christians are a bunch of arrogant jerks.

You mentioned Billy Graham in FB. What a wonderful example of what a Christian witness should be! Bold in his faith and always ready to tell others about Jesus; but he never ever came across as arrogant or above those who he spoke to.

This is what bothers me about your post - mostly because I am not arrogant and over-zealous when it comes to telling folks about Jesus. I generally wait until they ask so those comments don't apply to me. The problem I have with what you posted is that we are watering down the truth. We are telling people what THEY want to hear and sometimes that means that we are changing what the Word of God says. That is not what we are called to do.


P.S. Billy Graham has no tact. He will flat out tell you that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God.

You don't seem to think we can present the Gospel accurately and honestly without watering it down. I totally disagree.

Billy Graham does use tact; he tells it like it is but in a loving manner that never seems arrogant nor elitist. He is probably the most loved and respected preacher ever, short of Jesus himself. Contrast him with someone like Jerry Falwell who could come across as downright mean and he often presented himself as being somehow better than those around him. IMO, Falwell did Christianity a lot of harm because of how he acted and presented himself.

This above is what I'm referring to. Both men preaching the gospel; one in a sweet and loving manner that draws people in, the other in a somewhat mean and arrogant way that turns people off.

From what you keep posting, you are more concerned about hurting someone's feelings than in presenting the gospel - that's why I'm suggesting that what you are offering is "watered down."

 

[J-man]

The selection of words used when presenting the gospel (or for that matter any presentation) is totally different than the approach selected to communicate the Word. If one changes the Word then, yes, it may water down the message. Selecting a softer approach when communicating the Word is totally different. I think what GD is mainly pointing out is that Christians would probably spread the gospel more effectively by selecting a softer approach, meaning being more mindful of tone, attitude towards the audience, and checking the ego at the door before beginning.

 

[LisaC]

The selection of words used when presenting the gospel (or for that matter any presentation) is totally different than the approach selected to communicate the Word. If one changes the Word then, yes, it may water down the message. Selecting a softer approach when communicating the Word is totally different. I think what GD is mainly pointing out is that Christians would probably spread the gospel more effectively by selecting a softer approach, meaning being more mindful of tone, attitude towards the audience, and checking the ego at the door before beginning.

Who asked you? :Stick :Stick :Stick :Stick





:laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

 

[Guard Dad]

LisaC, you just don't get it.

No one said Christians shouldn't proclaim the word of God. But for God's sake (literally), we should use some tact and present it in a way that interests others in it instead of driving them away.

Too often, we blow it. I don't think we usually mean to, but sometimes we're over-zealous, poorly trained, and sometimes we just have an attitude that we're somehow better than they are. The latter is what tics me off, and why I posted the scripture above. Sorry, but doing it that way doesn't win souls. In fact, it usually drives people away and makes them think Christians are a bunch of arrogant jerks.

You mentioned Billy Graham in FB. What a wonderful example of what a Christian witness should be! Bold in his faith and always ready to tell others about Jesus; but he never ever came across as arrogant or above those who he spoke to.

This is what bothers me about your post - mostly because I am not arrogant and over-zealous when it comes to telling folks about Jesus. I generally wait until they ask so those comments don't apply to me. The problem I have with what you posted is that we are watering down the truth. We are telling people what THEY want to hear and sometimes that means that we are changing what the Word of God says. That is not what we are called to do.


P.S. Billy Graham has no tact. He will flat out tell you that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God.

You don't seem to think we can present the Gospel accurately and honestly without watering it down. I totally disagree.

Billy Graham does use tact; he tells it like it is but in a loving manner that never seems arrogant nor elitist. He is probably the most loved and respected preacher ever, short of Jesus himself. Contrast him with someone like Jerry Falwell who could come across as downright mean and he often presented himself as being somehow better than those around him. IMO, Falwell did Christianity a lot of harm because of how he acted and presented himself.

This above is what I'm referring to. Both men preaching the gospel; one in a sweet and loving manner that draws people in, the other in a somewhat mean and arrogant way that turns people off.

From what you keep posting, you are more concerned about hurting someone's feelings than in presenting the gospel - that's why I'm suggesting that what you are offering is "watered down."

First off, you're taking this too personal. I stated at the beginning that it was about no one in particular.

Regarding your assertion that I advocate watering down the gospel...since I have repeatedly stated otherwise and given examples of what I think is good and bad; I can only conclude that you are seeing what you want to see. Especially since I am using Billy Graham as a good example, and you also approve of him. Yet I am somehow still watering down the gospel even though you and I are endorsing the same guy.

Indeed...what I am really advocating is how Jesus himself did it. I posted some links above for support, but they are just a small sampling of how he ministered. He was a king, yet he presented himself as a common man. He loved the least among us, he sought out the worst of the sinners in his time, he hugged the dirty and smelly, he washed feet. This was not a man who presented himself as being better than those around him; it was a man who offered his very life as a sacrifice for ALL mankind. To return to my contrasting examples above; Billy Graham exudes this attitude, Jerry Falwell did not. One has led far more people to Christ than the other.

 

[stradial]

One thing I always enjoy (and that is meant in a good way) is when we argue about stuff like this.
I say I enjoy it, because I think it is good that the topic is about how to live and do better.

I mean if you have to disagree or discuss or whatever, isn't it cool that it is about how to be a better person and more help to your fellow man, rather than who should be the American Idol or who should be elected or stuff like that.

Besides, if I try and keep an open mind, I sometimes learn something I can use in my life.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

These guys were so compassionate and loving spreading the Gospel. Nothing bad happened to them. LOL.




Simon surnamed Peter died 33-34 years after the death of Christ. According to Smith’s Bible Dictionary there is “satisfactory evidence that he and Paul were the founders of the church at Rome, and died in that city. The time and manner of the apostle’s martyrdom are less certain. According to the early writers, he died at or about the same time with Paul, and in the Neronian persecution, A.D. 67,68. All agree that he was crucified. Origen says that Peter felt himself to be unworthy to be put to death in the same manner as his Master, and was therefore, at his own request, crucified with his head downward.”
James the son of Zebedee: He was put to death by Herod Agrippa I shortly before the day of the Passover, in the year 44 or about 11 years after the death of Christ. From Acts 12: 1-2.

John: No death date given by early writers. Death date is by conjecture only and is variously assigned as being between 89 AD to 120 AD

Andrew: No accurate death date given. A variety of traditions say he preached in Scythia, in Greece, in Asia Minor and Thrace. He is reported to have been crucified at Patrae in Achaia.

Philip: Again, the Bible does not say when he died nor do we have accurate information. According to tradition he preached in Phrygia, and died at Hierapolis. Update: FoxNews July 27, 2011 Tomb of the Apostle Phillip is found in Hierapolis.

Bartholomew: There is no information concerning his death, not even by tradition

Matthew: He must have lived many years as an apostle, since he was the author of the Gospel of Matthew which was written at least twenty years after the death of Christ. There is reason to believe that he stayed for fifteen years at Jerusalem, after which he went as missionary to the Persians, Parthians and Medes. There is a legend that he died a martyr in Ethiopia.

Thomas: The earlier traditions, as believed in the fourth century, say he preached in Parthia or Persia, and was finally buried at Edessa. The later traditions carry him farther east. His martyrdom whether in Persia or India, is said to have been by a lance, and is commemorated by the Latin Church on December 21 the Greek Church on October 6, and by the Indians on July 1.

James Alpheus : We know he lived at least five years after the death of Christ because of mentions in the Bible. According to tradition, James son of Alpheus was thrown down from the temple by the scribes and Pharisees; he was then stoned, and his brains dashed out with a fuller’s club.

Simon the Canaanite – No information either in the Bible or by tradition.

Jude (Thaddeus): according to tradition Jude taught in Armenia, Syria and Persia where he was martyred. Tradition tells us he was buried in Kara Kalisa in what is now Iran.

Judas Iscariot: Shortly after the death of Christ Judas killed himself. According to the Bible he hanged himself, (Matthew 27:5) at Aceldama, on the southern slope of the valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem, and in the act he fell down a precipice and was dashed into pieces.

 

[Madea]

Jesus never "softened" his words. Ever. I'm guessing you REALLY don't like the hellfire and brimstone preachers of the past. ) And, we had NO IDEA of the extent of the love that Jesus had for us UNTIL he died.

 

[LisaC]

Jesus never "softened" his words. Ever. I'm guessing you REALLY don't like the hellfire and brimstone preachers of the past. ) And, we had NO IDEA of the extent of the love that Jesus had for us UNTIL he died.

Amen!