The NTY carries in today's web edition a story about how social media have become the conduit for bringing hundreds of people together almost instantaneously for "snowball fights, "pillow fights" and just plain old "fights".
We also know that the dissidents in Iran and other movements have been using Twitter and Facebook to spread the news of various events about to take place. What I propose in my Call to Arms is that people of faith should make use of these same instruments in the furtherance of evangelical mission.
For example, imagine the comments that could be generated within the threads of these types of news stories if any number of apologists and Christian activists could be immediately informed so as to be able to mount a defense of our beliefs. We know that every story that touches upon the subject of the Roman Catholic Church is going to generate a large response from our opponents. Why not join the battle in attempting to argue our case as well.
Jesus told us to learn from the times to better spread the message of the Kingdom. In these dangerous times, an organized effort making use of the talents of many would be a powerful weapon for the Church to deploy in its defense.
We also know that the dissidents in Iran and other movements have been using Twitter and Facebook to spread the news of various events about to take place. What I propose in my Call to Arms is that people of faith should make use of these same instruments in the furtherance of evangelical mission.
For example, imagine the comments that could be generated within the threads of these types of news stories if any number of apologists and Christian activists could be immediately informed so as to be able to mount a defense of our beliefs. We know that every story that touches upon the subject of the Roman Catholic Church is going to generate a large response from our opponents. Why not join the battle in attempting to argue our case as well.
Jesus told us to learn from the times to better spread the message of the Kingdom. In these dangerous times, an organized effort making use of the talents of many would be a powerful weapon for the Church to deploy in its defense.
"What I propose in my Call to Arms is that people of faith should make use of these same instruments in the furtherance of evangelical mission."
ReplyDeleteProblem with that: "People of faith" is not a single group; it is many groups. And they do not agree with one another. But good luck with that, anyway.
Lady Janus: I am speaking of the Roman Catholic Church. I would have no right to speak about any other 'people of faith'.
ReplyDeleteFr. Tim
I was speaking of the same.
ReplyDeleteThere are many types of Catholics, and all of them see themselves as being people of faith. But they don't agree with one another. They sometimes even come to blows with one another. I could hold up my own family as a fine example of that.
People are individuals long before, during, and long after they are also members of any group. You can't just lump everyone together, stamp them with a label, and call it done and then call them to follow you to war. Human relations do not work that way. There will always be those, even in your own group, who disagree with either your cause or your methods or maybe even both. And they are growing out of the notion that just because they are members of a group, the attitudes of that group will always be right.
Before you can wage an effective battle with those outside the group, you need to attend to the healing of those within.
Lady Janus,
ReplyDeleteThe battle is not against peoples as such, but against falsehoods ... ideas. It is a spiritual battle for our souls and the souls of our loved ones.... I know...I know, you don't believe in my concept of a "soul". However, this is what the battle is all about. And in order to win it, we need primarily prayer and faithfulness to our daily duties, loving others and treating them as we would have them treat us. The battle is not new, but in our day and age, becuase of the advent of mass communication and globalization, it has very unique characteristics. Both truth and falsehood can be propagated to billions all at once with the click of a button. Now how is that for effectiveness?
CA
"The battle is not against peoples as such, but against falsehoods ... ideas."
ReplyDeleteI see no wrong in ideas, and certainly no falsehoods. If that's your battle, you're going to lose.
"I know...I know, you don't believe in my concept of a 'soul'."
That's not what I said.
I don't understand it. "Belief" has nothing to do with it.
Lady Janus
ReplyDelete"I see no wrong in ideas, and certainly no falsehoods. If that's your battle, you're going to lose."
You lost me there. Do you believe the Bible is God's inspired, infallible revelation to mankind?
Jesus said "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8 vs 31,32
"Sanctify them through thy truth: they word is truth." John 17:17
In Jesus' prayer to God the Father in this chap.17 of John, He is saying God's Word (the Holy Bible) is truth. As God's Word, it is an absolute since God everything God said is truth and no lie. Men may write all kinds of things. Much of it may be false, but what God has inspired the Prophets and Apostles to write in the Holy Bible is absolute truth.
Since the Bible is God's absolute truth, surely it is possible to discuss things in the Bible with a view to coming to agreement on what God has revealed as the truth. Would you agree?
Wayne M.
Tim,
ReplyDeleteAre you familiar with one of the key teachings of the Bible concerning justification of the sinner.
We know every single person is a sinner. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 This is a result of Adam's fall which we call original sin.
But those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for them personally and paid the full penalty for their sin, are born again. (John ch3)
As a result, the righteousness of Christ is imputed to them. They do not become righteous themselves. This is a forensic or declaritive act whereby God pronounces them righteous in His sight. When God looks on the sinner, he no longer see their sin, but sees the righteousness of Christ. This is imputed righteousness and is the core of the gospel. It is not received by any kind of good works, baptism, sacrament, or any ritual. It is by simple faith in Christ and what He has done for that individual.
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Romans Ch4 vs5.
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans ch5 vs1.
I welcome any comments or feedback.
Wayne M.
"Do you believe the Bible is God's inspired, infallible revelation to mankind?"
ReplyDeleteNo.
"Since the Bible is God's absolute truth, surely it is possible to discuss things in the Bible with a view to coming to agreement on what God has revealed as the truth. Would you agree?"
Excuse me. You have me confused with someone else.
" We know every single person is a sinner."
And please speak only for yourself. But I just love watching how you lecture a Catholic priest on the meaning of Christianity... ;D
Lady Janus,
ReplyDelete""Do you believe the Bible is God's inspired, infallible revelation to mankind?"
No.""
"And please speak only for yourself. But I just love watching how you lecture a Catholic priest on the meaning of Christianity... ;D"
Interesting comments. First, I am speaking for myelf. My comment was addressed to you.
However, as you said you do not accept the Bible as being God's revelation to mankind, there is not much more that I can think of to say to you.
I think Tim would more than likely agree with me on the Bible being God's revelation to mankind and the source of truth, although he might add some caveats to it.
As far as my lecturing a Catholic priest, Tim, I have respect for Tim although I disagree with much of his theology. My purpose in giving him my point of view is to invite discussion on theological issues that matter, and I welcome any comments from anyone who has a different point of view.
I respect the fact Tim has allowed me to make comments which may oppose some of his church's theology. It shows he is a man with an open mind and gracious to permit freedom of speech. Unfortunately not all people are as opened-minded and would rather silence all critics or people of other beliefs. May God bless him for his desire to engage other beliefs and opinions.
I grew up as a RC and when a young man in a remote village, I had a Catholic priest/friend who stayed overnight on the weekend at our house. One time he even brought the bishop along. The priest and I had good discussions about a wide variety of things over time. He also was a man with an open mind and quite willing to listen to all kinds of opinions.
Later in life, my circumstances changed and I heard the gospel on the radio of how Christ died for my sins, was raised from the dead, (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and if I would call upon Him to be my saviour, he would save me.(Romans 10:13) I immediately did so in my apartment that evening and did receive assurance of my salvation from His Word. (30 yrs ago) This is not something I wish to hide or keep secret from others. This is the good news which I feel others could possible benefit from by God's grace. That is why I wish to share it with Tim or anyone else who will listen.
Wayne M.
Lady Janus,
ReplyDeleteSorry I see now where I confused you with anonymous. Sorry about that.
Wayne M.
Lady Janus,
ReplyDelete"" We know every single person is a sinner."
And please speak only for yourself."
That is not my personal opinion, but it is what the Bible says in various places. Perhaps I should have made that clear.
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans ch3 vs 23
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righeousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Isaiah 64vs 6
The reason we are sinners is because we are born with a corrupt sinful nature to begin with. That is a result of Adam, who was representative of the whole human race, when he rebelled against God and ate the forbidden fruit. From that moment, Adam and all his descendents lost their innocency and separated themselves from God. We all inherited original sin or a depraved fallen nature.
That is why we need to be redeemed. Without redemption there is no salvation.
Wayne M.
"First, I am speaking for myelf."
ReplyDeleteYou were not. You said, "We know every single person is a sinner." "We" "know" nothing of the kind. YOU might think it, but you don't get to tell me that's what I think.
If your intention is to invite discussion with other commenters, you might try not assuming so much and start asking more. And it's just a little short of impolite to expect that others be open-minded when you can't seem to demonstrate that same courtesy.
Lady Janus,
ReplyDeleteOK, you are correct. I don't get to tell you what you think. I apologize if I did.
I should have prefaced my comment with "the Bible says all are sinners" and perhaps given a verse reference. When I said that was not my personal opinion, I meant to say it is the teaching of the Bible, not my own personal invention.
Wayne M.