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Christianity Today, July, 2008 |

A Messy Conversation

When a theology prof and a bitter skeptic talk.

Brandon Fibbs | posted 7/16/2008 09:05AM

For many Christians, dialogue is a dirty word. Confident in our convictions, we often find it easier to badger those we would save with our irrefutable truth, rather than genuinely listen to the things ...

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Bill	Posted: July 23, 2008 11:54 AM

I have not seen the video. I did read the book. Dr. Detweiler reports that he was critiqued by viewers of the video for not being more active in terms of his responses to John Marks. He stated that the purpose of the book was to give him a chance to do that. I was disappointed in that I did not find much of a defense of Christianity in the book. I agree that Christians should be loving and should be patient and kind and not aggressive and hostile. However, I also think that we need to do more than listen to criticisms of the church and apologize. It is also concerning that Dr. Detweiler appears to lean toward more liberal perspectives in terms of some theological issues but he does not actually spell those out.

Gil	Posted: July 22, 2008 10:27 AM

To Michael: I myself have questioned and raised an eyebrow in regards to CT's point of view on these matters. I've come to the following conclusions: 1. CT formulate these articles in such a way as to provoke a knee-jerk response from its Christians readers. You know, tweek them in the nose. 2. CT wants to be "inclusive" and non threatening to the world and make this place feel like a literary "rec room" where Christians are lightly bashed so that CT can prove to the non believers that they are fair. 3. CT has been on a downslide as far as it's theology goes. For the last several years it has gone slightly to the left in it's theology and politics. Oh well. I still read it and enjoy some of the authors. Whater-yougonna-do. In order to be cool to the world, it looks like CT is loosing its saltiness.

Vic	Posted: July 21, 2008 12:38 PM

Amen, Michael. Raymond, I think you're CT's target audience. I do not agree with the notion of christians being obnoxious in public; it can't be supported in scripture. Nonetheless, those LDS folks need to hear the true Gospel. I read CT primarily to be reminded of how liberal (as in antithetical to the clear teachings of scripture sans the 'benefit' of weak exegesis and poor homiletics) this publication and the 'church' in general have become. Fuller? Are you joking? Take the 'C' out of your handle! How about a REAL, Biblical Theologian on the side of truth; e.g. Al Mohler, John McArthur, Alistair Begg, etc.? Why do we rarely if ever hear from these luminaries in the pages of CT? Instead, we get a steady diet of pandering pablum by self impressed so-called academics who all seem to hold in common a low view of Scripture combined with a high view of their own opinions which most often bear little resemblance to the fundamental doctrines so clearly taught in God's Word.

andrew tucker

Posted: July 18, 2008 5:54 PM

A house can not stand divided. Judgement has to happen because of murders of christians. Our body is our temple. Christianity was conformed not to question. A lot of lost judge and think they know everything about life. Why is TBN not businesses to support themselves. A lot of ministries ask for money. Where is the christian jobs for christians. Dont worry demons you got away but investigator Jesus Christ is on the case. Will Jesus be embarrassed? When Jesus is here will curtis chapman or Jon Hagee be more popular. Will miltant protestants kill beleivers in christian ora sex, anointed men with two wives, not dating lesbian acts promotion(birth control)? TBN, Daystar,houston astros,N. orlean Hornets, SC johnson, Family christian bookstore, chick a fil.sports spectrum mag stars?!. How. Jesus would start out. Work for Walmart(no kjv), bristol myer squibb(pills),kfc(chicken beaters)Burger King(dark side),Dell(ads on abusive BET), office depot(red/black).You lost and some of us lost major

TIMOTHY

Posted: July 16, 2008 3:43 PM

If we share the Gospel with a friend and that same friend never accepts the truth have we failed in our great comission? We as Christians are called to spread the Good News however we can not make the receiver accept the message. Some hearts convert quickly, some more slowly, and some may never convert at all however the efforts are worth the pain. My only caution is not to solely focus on saving one sheep while the others run off the edge of the cliff. Keep trying with the one while being ever mindful of the many.

Raymond Takashi Swenson

Posted: July 16, 2008 2:36 PM

I cannot vouch for the specifics of the video being reviewed, but I certainly support the principle that it appears to support: that maintaining respectful and communicative friendships with those we disagree with on questions of faith, while we maintain our own religious convictions, is the way that Christians should be relating to those not of their own faith, rather than laying down an ultimatum that, unless the other person accepts the Christian's own particular understanding of the Gospel, the other will not only be damned in Hell, but will be justifiably characterized as either stupid, evil or both. Are some Christians "militant" and "badgering"? Just come down to Temple Square in Salt Lake City the first Sunday of April and October each year, when Mormons converge from around the world, and see the self-described "Christian" demonstrators who carry signs that insult Mormons as they denounce men, women and children with loudspeakers. Who wants to spend eternity with THEM?

Geoff

Posted: July 16, 2008 11:57 AM


What the...? Do people even read these articles before posting comments? Or is something wrong with the site? This article isn't about Jim Wallis at all.

Joseph

Posted: July 16, 2008 11:30 AM

CT is "featuring" Jim Wallis's book? A 60's retread whose ideas and stature were unimportant until they were deliberately revived and recast by the dollars he received from Democrat, adamant secular and leftist groups, and new approval and attention from their major media. Elevating his voice and calling it the evangelical norm served to fit his views flush into their agenda, without change on their part. The change of ideas and principles ideas is for evangelicals. Since 2002, especially, there has been a significant attempt to neutralize evangelicals' moral and political check on their agenda, to dim or stop evangelicals widespread recognition and support of traditional natural law moral issues and to capture evangelical votes. I imagine that CT is getting a decent cut as well. You can't be doing this for free, yet being relevant and smart to the right cultural gatekeepers is a strong drive for some Christians. The irony is by doing this, you are, at the last, neither.

Michael

Posted: July 16, 2008 11:10 AM

Who are these Christians who are "militant" and "badgering"? I can't find a single Christian who wants to talk about God or Jesus outdoors; how is one to believe there are some who are harassing others with the Gospel? Also, why does the author denigrate, by way of condescension, what Christians regard as irrefutable truth? That is both God's and His Word's claim. Lastly, why is the article unbalanced by offering Marks pointed words against God, but there is no quote from Detweiler? Is the author Christian? Is CT still Christian?

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