"Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15).
It's good to read things that will challenge you simply because it often gives you the means to have better conversations. Also, C.S Lewis advises people to read books that are old so we better see some of the mistakes that our own generation can't.
2. Be Confident! Speak With Conviction
Article: Theophilus Gives A Speech
First, watch this video.
Taylor Mali's obvious criticism for our generation isn't only that we use the words 'like' and 'ya know' a lot.
We rarely speak as if we believe what we're saying.
Why are so afraid, so full of nyehh that we can't even talk about our own experience without a hundred "well this is just my opinion" or otherwise cowering in fear??
We've bought into Postmodernism.
We think that standing up for what's right, even if it's reasonable, is offensive and cruel because everybody has to find the truth for themselves. We also fear because many of the problems in the world come from people claim to have the truth and think that those who disagree with them don't have any human rights.
Here's Theophilus.
"Myth Number One
"What gives the myth of the intolerance of knowing truth its strength? Its power comes from a picture — not a photograph or a painting, but an image many people carry in their minds. In the picture, a man is being burned at the stake. He's there because other people, who say they have the truth, are angry with him for saying that they don't. I agree that such a thing should never happen. But in my mind is a different picture. In mine a man is also being burned at the stake — I almost said, being hung on a cross. He's there because other people, who say there isn't any truth, are angry with him for saying that there is."
It's really worth it to read the whole article.
3. Read Between the Lines
Articles: Talking With Atheists, The Wrong Question
There's usually a reason why they don't believe that has nothing to do with whether Christianity is true or not. Try to aim questions toward that end. For example, I've used this question.
3. Read Between the Lines
Articles: Talking With Atheists, The Wrong Question
There's usually a reason why they don't believe that has nothing to do with whether Christianity is true or not. Try to aim questions toward that end. For example, I've used this question.
"If I had all the time in the world to answer all your intellectual questions about Christianity to so that you were completely satisfied, then would you give yourself to Jesus Christ?"
Just as Theophilus mentioned, most whom I've asked have paused for a moment. And said no. Time, then to ask what the real reason is.
4. Meditate On Scripture
Teachers and college professors know a lot of stuff. And they know it. When you're in a classroom with your faith on the hot seat, this can be very intimidating. But there's hope.
"I have more understanding than my teachers" says Psalm 119:99 "for I meditate on your statutes"
Here's Theophilus.
"I start with the fact that God is the source of all truth, all knowledge.
If you say that we can learn things by reasoning about them, I agree, but reasoning can't prove that reasoning works.
It works because of God.
First He fashioned a world that makes sense, then He fashioned our minds so that it makes sense to us.
The only reason we can trust what we know is that the Fashioner Himself is trustworthy..."
Not that you'll know more about anatomy by reading Psalms, but think about it. If you go ahead and trust the Bible as source of truth, you already understand the purpose of all existence and creation. You should recognize the advantage. People, whether they agree or not, often can still recognize wisdom when they see it.
5. Speak with gentleness, Reverence and Humility
Articles: Back from the Shadowlands, War of Words
Here's what I've learned.
It's not intolerant to have strong beliefs. But tolerance requires doing so with gentless and humility.
It's not intolerant to suggest that opposing views are wrong. But always with charity and patience.
It's not intolerant even to make a judgement on right or wrong, good or bad. But we must do so without self-righteousnessness.
Religious people look down on the immoral. Liberals look down on conservatives. I've seen Darwinists look down on those who reject evolution. Pro-choicers look down on Pro-lifers.
A Christian shouldn't look down on anyone. We believe we have the Truth. But not because we're smarter or more spiritually aware than anyone else. Only because God loved us and reached out to us, even as we were determined to reject Him.
When we sense Jesus Christ being frowned upon, we shouldn't act surprised, as if Jesus Christ himself weren't rejected and mocked his entire life. And as we come across people who're hostile it should remind us how before, when we were sinners, we could just as easily have been in the crowd of people mocking and jeering at Jesus at his crucifixion.
I get angry that Christianity is sometimes the punching bag of popular media. The butt of all the jokes in snooty New York Times editorials. That it's rejected at our schools and classrooms. That it's written off without any fair consideration because believing too strongly in anything makes you politically incorrect.
But whenever I feel this anger, it's also a blessed opportunity to turn it around and imitate Christ. So when you're biology teacher makes fun of you behind your back, praise God and pray for them! IF someone bashes you for your views, first check to see if they're right, but then treat them respectfully in return.
In a world where snark is valued over humility, compassion for those who disagree with you may be the number one thing that makes you stand out is simply loving the people who speak against you.
4. Meditate On Scripture
Teachers and college professors know a lot of stuff. And they know it. When you're in a classroom with your faith on the hot seat, this can be very intimidating. But there's hope.
"I have more understanding than my teachers" says Psalm 119:99 "for I meditate on your statutes"
Here's Theophilus.
"I start with the fact that God is the source of all truth, all knowledge.
If you say that we can learn things by reasoning about them, I agree, but reasoning can't prove that reasoning works.
It works because of God.
First He fashioned a world that makes sense, then He fashioned our minds so that it makes sense to us.
The only reason we can trust what we know is that the Fashioner Himself is trustworthy..."
Not that you'll know more about anatomy by reading Psalms, but think about it. If you go ahead and trust the Bible as source of truth, you already understand the purpose of all existence and creation. You should recognize the advantage. People, whether they agree or not, often can still recognize wisdom when they see it.
5. Speak with gentleness, Reverence and Humility
Articles: Back from the Shadowlands, War of Words
Here's what I've learned.
It's not intolerant to have strong beliefs. But tolerance requires doing so with gentless and humility.
It's not intolerant to suggest that opposing views are wrong. But always with charity and patience.
It's not intolerant even to make a judgement on right or wrong, good or bad. But we must do so without self-righteousnessness.
Religious people look down on the immoral. Liberals look down on conservatives. I've seen Darwinists look down on those who reject evolution. Pro-choicers look down on Pro-lifers.
A Christian shouldn't look down on anyone. We believe we have the Truth. But not because we're smarter or more spiritually aware than anyone else. Only because God loved us and reached out to us, even as we were determined to reject Him.
When we sense Jesus Christ being frowned upon, we shouldn't act surprised, as if Jesus Christ himself weren't rejected and mocked his entire life. And as we come across people who're hostile it should remind us how before, when we were sinners, we could just as easily have been in the crowd of people mocking and jeering at Jesus at his crucifixion.
I get angry that Christianity is sometimes the punching bag of popular media. The butt of all the jokes in snooty New York Times editorials. That it's rejected at our schools and classrooms. That it's written off without any fair consideration because believing too strongly in anything makes you politically incorrect.
But whenever I feel this anger, it's also a blessed opportunity to turn it around and imitate Christ. So when you're biology teacher makes fun of you behind your back, praise God and pray for them! IF someone bashes you for your views, first check to see if they're right, but then treat them respectfully in return.
In a world where snark is valued over humility, compassion for those who disagree with you may be the number one thing that makes you stand out is simply loving the people who speak against you.
Five Lessons from Theophilus
If you're like me, you think you know the Truth. Arrogant, I know. But because it's such a wonderful Truth, we still want to share with our friends. These people range from super thoughtful and intelligent to those who don't really seem sure of anything. How do we talk to them? I take cues from 'Theophilus'.
The name behind Theophilus is actually J. Budziszewski. I've read almost all his articles on boundless.com, a webzine geared to Christian college students and young adults.
1. Be Smart
