C. H. Spurgeon, “The Prince of Preachers”
I’ve started visiting facebook before I write up my posts here so I can check up on any stray comments and so my blog posts don’t get buried by all the other cool things I run into and share with my “fans.” This morning I’ve found some things that are so wonderful I wanted to share them with all of you.
Yesterday I found Ravi Zacharias’ fan page, so I will get updates on what his group is up to. I also ran into a general Christian Apologetics page. Apologetics is just a fancy word for learning to explain why we believe the Bible and how our Worldview works to everyone. Today I saw a quote from Spurgeon that I really wanted to share with you all:
“If you are drawn into controversy, use very hard arguments and very soft words. Frequently you cannot convince a man by tugging at his reason, but you can persuade him by winning his affections.” –Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, p. 173
I know none of you are guilty of doing this yet, but I’ve already run into a number of grown ups who could use a serious reminder of the truth in this. It is easy to forget that every single person who is arguing with you is an immortal soul for whom Jesus shed His blood. I’ve even (rarely) seen YECs being mean to other YECs who disagree with their particular view. Although I agree with this one man’s position, it makes me ill to see how he treats another brother in Christ. How much worse is it when we treat someone who isn’t part of God’s kingdom yet with put downs and meanness. I sure would never choose a worldview that was presented to me like that!
When Jesus was working on earth there were only two groups of people He was harsh with (I was shocked to read His words for myself in my teens, I didn’t know He was “mean” to anyone until I read the Bible through on my own): the 12 disciples for their faithlessness, and the religious leaders. These leaders already believed the Bible, they just refused to let God interpret the Bible His way rather than theirs! Jesus never said a put down to an ordinary person in His life. Let’s follow His example no matter how annoyed we get.
I can’t speak for the rest of the Creationist ministries since I don’t follow them closely enough to know, but I do know two groups that are careful to follow this rule. Answers in Genesis regularly posts responses to people’s letters. They would be uncomfortable to read if you were the one being exposed as a fool, but it’s not AiG’s fault that the person wrote what they did, they just published it and politely responded! The other group is Creation Today who will read letters from Evolutionists and address them as valuable, but mistaken people. Very refreshing.
Let’s never forget the whole reason we Christians (yes, even kids) are here on earth: to teach, disciple, and baptize people who are being added to God’s kingdom.
Some other things I ran into today to share:
Uniform of the Boy Scouts of America in 1974.
Answers in Genesis has an exciting and thoughtful report on the Creationist work in the Russian speaking world. I encourage you to read it, think about what is going on in our thinking, and PRAY!!! God is working, but for some crazy reason He has chosen to limit Himself to working through our efforts and our prayers. Have you ever been part of a group where you work to earn awards? Well, God’s kingdom is the biggest one of those there is. The amazing thing is we can earn awards just by taking a couple of minutes to ask God to clear the way and do His work! Wild, but true. 🙂
Lastly, Creation Today has put up a list of Orlando, FL businesses that are offering discounts to people attending the Proof of God conference (which is one big Apologetics meeting!). If your family is going to vacation in Orlando sometime in the future (like mine will), take a minute to check out the places to stay or eat so you can reward them for their openness to followers of the Truth; think “boycott” backwards!
[Jesus said,] For he that is not against us is on our part.
For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. Mark 9:40-42
