As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
In the previous installment, I began building upon a statement by my professor of systematic theology at Faith Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Myron J. Houghton. Basing his thoughts on 2 Cor. 2:15-16, Dr. Houghton stated: “Your ministry is like a fragrance. It will attract some, and it will repel others.”
I marvel with gratitude at the wonderful opportunities that the Lord God has given me to learn from some exceptional teachers. My appreciation of this gift only grows as the years go by—and as I speak with other Christian leaders who, for one reason or another, never had such an opportunity.
One of the men who has had the greatest impact upon my theology and thinking is Dr. Myron J. Houghton, about whom I have written before. I had the awesome privilege of studying under him in five courses at Faith Baptist Theological Seminary.
One of the marks of a Christian is a desire to share the good news of the life-transforming gospel with others. In the words of the apostles, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). But what if a friend, fellow worker, schoolmate, or family member asks us to desist? Does there come a time when we should refrain from speaking to a person about Jesus and Christianity?
“…the longer we’re in church and the higher we go up the Christian ladder, the more likely it is that we’re stuck in the Christian bubble…. we need to recognize some of the signs that we’ve insulated ourselves from a world we’re called to reach.” - Chuck Lawless
“Most Christians define apologetics… as ‘rationally persuading someone of the truth of the Christian faith through arguments and evidence.’ That approach is too blinkered, for it fails to account for the wider context where people are persuaded and beliefs are formed.” - TGC
“Pastor Greg Laurie recently offered a clear presentation of the Gospel and the hope of Heaven to psychologist Jordan Peterson in a wide-ranging conversation addressing faith, personal loss and the universal search for purpose.” - CPost
“the diverse group of 70 million Americans designated as ‘Nones,’ 10 percent of whom say they’ve made a personal commitment to Jesus, are reachable by the Church, said John Plake, ABS chief innovation officer and State of the Bible editor in chief.” - Baptist Press
“We’re no longer trying to argue with ardent atheists but to compel impressionable spiritualists.” - TGC
“There are many paths I could take to attempt to answer that question. For now, one of my research-based answers is that many church members are confused about the meaning of church-based evangelism.” - Church Answers
It always astounds me that Holocaust deniers exist. Those who claim the systematic murder of Jews in Europe by Adolph Hitler is a hoax and has no factual evidence behind it often do so to advance antisemitic agendas.* Despite living Holocaust survivors, extant concentration camps, written and recorded testimonies from victims, photographs, artifacts, and other evidence, there are still those who will not accept the historicity of the Holocaust.
Discussion