Christian Intolerance: We’ve been outed! What now?
I have read some interesting takes on the UCC commercials showing bouncers at the door to churches. Michael Spencer in his blog I think asks some important questions that deserve to be addressed. Near the end of his article (in otherwords go read the whole thing) he writes:
“My Christian friends need to ask themselves how they are going to answer challenges and critiques made from the Old Testament. Are we going to answer as if we haven’t read the book? As if the violence is tolerable? Are we going to say that God can do what he wants and whatever he tells us to do is automatically right? (That will be comforting in a post 9-11 world.) Are we going to deal with the Old Testament as if it can stand alone, without Christ? Are we going to excuse the violence and intolerance in our faith as not important, when the culture is demanding an answer? Are we going to say the critics are unfair and idiotic for bringing this up? None of that is going to work, nor should it.”
He is correct in his assesment that if the Old Testament is read the same way that the Koran is read on talk-radio then we have just as much of a PR problem as the muslims. But I think his main premise is still correct - we must deal with it - the question is how? Scripture tells us to be ready with an answer - are we? Could I hold a reasonable conversation with a friend and “explain” the laws in Leviticus? Or would I do a quick slight of hand and try to get him to look over at New Testament because those are all shadows?
Not sure that kind of answer will work anymore - Post 9-11
michaelspencer.us: Christian Intolerance: We’ve been outed! What now?
Indeed, stand strong in your faith, confident in the scriptures of your God, and declare honestly and openly what it says, from cover to cover.
Every word of it. Every command of it. We can read books too, and we usually know what the words mean. Acknowledge the truth. DO NOT ignore parts of it. IT says it, proclaim it. If something IN scripture says that no longer applies (such as the Mosiac law regarding food Vs Non-Jewish converts to Christianity) say it; if it was never ‘retired’, say it.
Do it well; do it with both hands; do it with all your might. ‘Ye shall know the truth, and the truth s hall set ye free.’
-Reverand Dr Kirk D Bailey of the Seax Wicca.
Comment by Kirk — July 5, 2007 @ 8:33 am
The war on the Canaanites thousands of years ago by the nation of Israel is a historic fact, but we’re in a different time now. Jesus taught His followers to love their enemies and to do good to those who persecute them.
Comment by Pat - Evidence for The Resurrection — February 6, 2008 @ 4:38 pm