1. notleia says:

    Especially doesn’t help if you throw in denominational differences about the nuances of “God’s Law.”

  2. Erin Hawley Cronin says:

    In talking to friends about a Christian class I was told this story. . .two young (20-something) women were in the class and the presenter kept talking about sin. They didn’t know what “sin” was and went home to Google-search it. You are right. . . we need to define what we mean, and we need to be sure what we say reflects God’s unconditional love for ALL of His Creation.

  3. Lauren B says:

    Yes, sometimes we’re so steeped in our culture it’s hard to remember not everyone grew up watching Veggie Tales and listening to WeeSing Bible songs.

    I attended a “technically” Christain college, but lots of non-Christains also attended. I especially recall taking a lit class where we read Dante’s Inferno and had a discussion about our concepts of hell. I was having a rather spirited debate about Purgatory with a Catholic classmate, when a student from India admitted she was confused. What is hell? Why would someone be punished forever?And what is baptism? And what about Mormons?

    This whole chunk of our culture was very confusing for her, and I’m afraid we didn’t set a very good example for her. Catholic dude telling me Lutherans go to hell . . . Not exactly the first impression of Christianity we should have made.

  4. HG Ferguson says:

    Stephen, God bless you. you’ve identified the problem, but let’s don’t lose sight of the solution. I don’t think you will. But God’s Word — His absolute truth — answers these concerns, We live in an era where people don’t want to hear the following words, much less the concepts: sin, judgment, hell, God’s just wrath against sinners who spit in His face and rebel against His law, guilt (gasp) and accountability before a Holy God whose standards we all have violated, myself included (Rom. 3:23). I think these are what Franklin was and is fighting for, that they not be discarded. These aren’t just nuances or concepts needing explanation. These things are true. God’s Word answers them. A question is raised below, “What about Mormons?” Gal. 1:8-10 answers that in no uncertain terms. The world is fast heading toward its end (I Jn. 2:17). All the more reason to find ways to make the message of the Cross speak to today’s generation, for it may very well be the final one. My plea is a call to declare the whole counsel of God in everything. Yes, God is a God of love — but He is also a God of wrath against those who love the darkness more than the light. Just read the last book in His Bible. I just want to encourage you to find ways to speak to those who need to hear today without avoiding what’s unpleasant or not politically correct. Based on your work in other posts, as I said, I don’t think you will. Just be cautious. And above all, true to the Word. May God give you the wisdom you need!

  5. Lisa says:

    I totally agree with what you are saying, in that it is very true that explicitly Christian language and idioms are not understood by the general public. But I’m not sure I completely understand your point. Are you saying that any Christian public figure (or semi-figure, or heck, any Christian) should not put posts that are explicitly Christian on their Facebook feeds? Am I am missing your point here? Are you saying that the only place Christians should use explicit Christian “language” is in church? Or among Christian friends?

  6. Thank you! I’ve been speaking about this very topic to my Christian circle and all I get are either crickets or “God is also a God of wraith” comments. When has negativity, put-downs and hateful talk ever won over anyone? They don’t understand!

    Love and compassion comes first. We have discarded Matthew 28:19-20 in favor of shortcuts. We are commanded to go and make disciples first. We attract them to the love of God first. “If you love Me you will keep My commandments.” “Love casts out all fear.”

    Most Christians have evangelism backwards–they think obedience comes first and then love. When are we going to get that one cannot legislate morality or especially salvation? Increasingly, I see Christians who are far more hateful than non-Christians. When the Word says when iniquity abounds, the love of many shall wax cold, I wonder if God is in fact talking about His own people?

What do you think?