Thursday, November 03, 2005

Good question

Exploring a Parallel Universe
Why does the word evangelical threaten so many people in our culture? by Philip Yancey


I have often wondered this myself. We preach the gospel, the "good news", and yet we are looked upon as haters.

Yancey states:

Reflecting on our conversation, I remembered a remark by (C.S.) Lewis, who drew a distinction between communicating with a society that hears the gospel for the first time and one that has embraced and then largely rejected it. A person must court a virgin differently than a divorcée, said Lewis. One welcomes the charming words; the other needs a demonstration of love to overcome inbuilt skepticism.

The Gospel of John put it another way: "...men loved the darkness rather than the Light..."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

They hate us in part because our mere presence convicts them. They do not wish to be reminded that they sin. That is why the press loves nothing so much as a fallen Christian; such "scandal" serves to vindicate a world view based on the supremacy of man.
Unfortunately, the truth is more complex. We all sin, including the righteous. We are called to try and be chaste, but in the end we can do nothing without His help. Despite all our best efforts, we will only reach perfection when we enter the Kingdom. All we can hope for in this world is movement and growth. And thus we must try, and when we fail, ask forgiveness and get up and try again.
It is a long road, but He promises to make our burdens lite.
Praise the Lord!