If you're a Christian, does it not bother you when people try to be Mr. goody-goody when they're around you but you know full well that they're not? If you aren't a Christian, have you ever felt awkward around Christians because you feel like unless you are on your best behavior then they'll be secretly judging you?
I'm writing this because i'm tired of people not being themselves. A few weeks ago I invited some friends from work to see my band play at a bar (thats right, a bar) downtown. It seemed like they had a good time. The next day one of them called me and apologized for drinking. "What? We were playing at a bar! Why would we care if people drank?" I thought to myself. She explained that she was just trying to respect our beliefs and didn't want to offend us. I wanted to tell her to apologize for calling me to apologize! This sparked something that i've been thinking about for quite some time; why non-Christians feel the need to put on an act when they're around us. And because some might be confused as to why they shouldn't put on an act when they're around us, I have written a list of do's and don'ts:
1. Be yourself. You're not fooling anyone.
2. If you want to drink, then drink. If you want to smoke, then smoke. No one really cares. Seriously.
3. Stop apologizing each and every time you cuss!! "Oh no, Mike.e is in the room! We better watch what we say!" Nothing offends me more when people try to "watch what they say" when they're around me. If you're vocabulary consists of the "f-bomb" every other word, then say it. I could care less. If I were really offended by your vulgar vocabulary, then I wouldn't be hanging out with you. And chances are, all the Christians that you think don't cuss...think again.
4. Don't be afraid to talk about sex. We can handle it. I promise. And I know this may come as a shock, but Christians have sex drives too.
5. Don't ever, ever correct one of your friends when they say something that you think might offend us, especially not right in front of us! Have you ever thought about how that makes us feel?
6. If we really are offended by what you say and do, then we wouldn't be hanging out with you!
7. Seriously, no one is secretly judging you. Get over yourself.
8. Does it really matter if you offend us anyways? If you drink, then you probably drink because you don't think anything is wrong with it. If that's the case, then why not live by your conviction and drink around your Christian buddies? Would we really be going out to a bar with you if we weren't expecting you to be drinking?
9. Let's turn the tables. How would you like it if you're Christian friends did what you did and put on a show when they are around you? Should I take up smoking because I don't want to offend those who smoke? "Oh sorry guys, I forgot that you guys smoke and drink. I don't want to offend anyone by not drinking, so I better order a beer." See how absurd that sounds? We just want to be real and be ourselves. Why can't you do the same for us?
10. Treat us like we're human. We are just like you. I promise.
11. Don't try and quote Scripture or act "religious" just to impress us. It really doesn't do anything.
12. We don't care if you missed church last sunday or every sunday for the past 7 years. If you want to go to church, go to church. If you don't want to, then don't. Either way, your attendance doesn't impress us. What we really care about is whether or not you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
13. This one is for the girls. Dress how you want to dress. Don't wear a turtle neck just because you're around us. Plus, we've all seen your myspace pictures anyways. In other words, we already know how you dress. So stop trying to fool us and wear whatever you want. If we were really offended by what you wore, then we wouldn't hang out with you.
14. Don't try to fool us by leaving your radio on the Christian station. Chances are, the Christians that you are around are more offended by the Christian station than they are by the secular stations. Listen to whatever you want.
15. Don't brag about how you grew up going to a Christian school. You're not impressing anyone. Also, the fact that you're uncle's sister-in-law's cousin is a pastor doesn't really matter either. If its relevant to the conversation, then cool. If not, then drop it.
16. Don't hide your movie collection when we come over. We watch the same movies that you do. We're human, remember?
17. Don't ever, ever, ever say, "Oh sorry, I forgot you guys are Christians."
Hopefully this list will give you a glimpse into the mind of a Christian. If you want to add to this list, i'd love to hear your thoughts, and even your disagreements if you have any.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
2006 Jehovah's Witness statistics
These should speak for themselves:
2006 Grand Totals
Branches of Jehovah's Witnesses------------------------------114
Number of Lands Reporting----------------------------------236
Total Congregations----------------------------------------99,770
Worldwide Memorial Attendance------------------------------16,675,113
Memorial Partakers Worldwide--------------------------------8,758
Peak of Publishers in Kindom Service--------------------------6,741,000
Average Publishers Preaching Each Month----------------------6,491,775
Percentage of Increase Over 2005-----------------------------1.6
Total Number Baptized--------------------------------------248,327
Average Auxiliar Pioneer Publishers Each Month-----------------269,557
Average Pioneer Publishers Each Month------------------------642,182
Total Hours Spent in Field-----------------------------------1,333,966,199
Average Home Bible Studies Each Month-----------------------6,286,618
2006 Grand Totals
Branches of Jehovah's Witnesses------------------------------114
Number of Lands Reporting----------------------------------236
Total Congregations----------------------------------------99,770
Worldwide Memorial Attendance------------------------------16,675,113
Memorial Partakers Worldwide--------------------------------8,758
Peak of Publishers in Kindom Service--------------------------6,741,000
Average Publishers Preaching Each Month----------------------6,491,775
Percentage of Increase Over 2005-----------------------------1.6
Total Number Baptized--------------------------------------248,327
Average Auxiliar Pioneer Publishers Each Month-----------------269,557
Average Pioneer Publishers Each Month------------------------642,182
Total Hours Spent in Field-----------------------------------1,333,966,199
Average Home Bible Studies Each Month-----------------------6,286,618
Monday, August 20, 2007
Don't be a walking debate
What i'm writing has been on my heart for quite some time, but most notably in the past few weeks. In a way i'm speaking to myself just as much as I am to all others that this might apply to. What am I referring to? I'm referring to those that we might call a walking debate. "Mike.e, what in the world is a walking debate?" Glad you asked :-)
A "walking debate" is a person who eats and breathes theological debate. All this person wants to do is fight. He loves to flex his theological muscles. The best thing anyone could ever tell him is, "wow, thats a great point. I'll have to look into it and get back to you." The "walking debate" sees this not as a sign of humility but a sign as defeat; "He's looking into it! That means I stumped him!!"
You see, the "walking debate" isn't concerned with truth or saving souls. He wants to win arguments. Now, he may claim that he is doing this for the gospel of Jesus Christ, but we all know that actions speak louder than words. He spends hours upon hours in chat rooms and message boards. Saying "I'm not sure, i'll have to look into that" is not an option. To him, that is a sign of weakness. Again, its all about winning.
Why am I even bringing all of this up? Because as one who is regularly involved in apologetics, who regularly is engaged in theological discussion and debate, I need to be careful that I don't become a "walking debate." Back in my early days of studying apologetics I found myself spending hours upon hours in chat rooms and discussion boards. Why? Was it my true intention to see the unbelievers that I was debating come to know the Jesus Christ that I knew; the one who saved me from my sins? Maybe to some degree. But I knew in my heart of hearts that there was a debater inside of me that wanted nothing more to simply win the debate.
But think about this for a moment. What happens if you do "win" the debate? What then? Let's say, for instance, that you convinced your evolutionist friend that archeoptryx isn't really a transitional fossil. What then? All you've done is impressed on his mind doubt that one out of thousands of so-called transitional fossils isn't all that its made out to be. Are you going to be able to do the same for the other fossils?
What i'm trying to say is let's not "debate" for the sake of debating. Let's debate for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And let us do so in accordance with the Scriptures in 2 Timothy 2:23-26,
"But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels." (v. 23)
Before we jump the gun here and say that Paul is here saying that we should no longer engage in theological debate, let's think about what Paul is saying. First, there are a few different ways to translate "speculations." (Greek, zētēsis) Thayer's Greek provides the following definitions:
a seeking, enquiry, a questioning, debate, a subject of questioning or debate, matter of controversy.
So we see that "speculation" is one of many possible translations. But the point is, whether it should be translated "speculation" or "debate," we should heed to the Apostle Paul's command to avoid foolish debate. And how do we know what is and isn't a foolish debate? Fortunately, this passage is quite specific. Paul identifies a "foolish" debate as one that produces quarrels. But doesn't all debate produce quarrels? In a sense they do. But we all know that Paul, and ultimately Jesus Christ (who inspired Scripture), would be hypocrites if they were commanding all Christians to avoid anything and everything that caused "quarrels." And the reason I say this because the Apostle Paul was constantly in the the temple preaching and debating the Jews. Do you think that Paul caused a few Jews to get a little bit upset? You bet he did. In fact, they got so upset that they often wanted to kill Paul. So do you really think that Paul was really commanding Timothy to not engage in theological debate when he himself was doing it? I don't think so. What I believe Paul is emphasizing is not so much the debate itself, or even the results. Instead, I think that he is emphasizing the intent or desire.
"The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." (v. 24-26)
First, Paul tells us that we should be "kind to all." As one who engages in debate, are you being kind? Are you respecting the person, but at the same time strongly disagreeing with his beliefs? I think that the moment we engage in personal attack, name calling (Ad-hominem), or anything else that would distract from the actual issue at hand, then you are violating this command of Scripture.
Second, Paul tells us to be able to teach. Are you able to teach? Or are you only able to debate? As I mentioned before, if you "win the debate," then you have actually accomplished very little unless that person shows any sign of spiritual activity (that they Holy Spirit may be at work within them). But let's say that you spent 2 years attempting to convince your Jehovah's Witness friend that the Watchtower is a false prophet and shouldn't be trusted. Finally he realized this and removed himself from the bondage of the organization. What then? Because you're so used to trying to win arguments, you've forgotten how to clearly present the gospel when someone finally shows signs of vulnerability.
Thirdly, we are told to be "patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition." Why are we told this? I think there are many reasons we could come up with. But what comes to mind is that Paul is trying to keep us honest. If we aren't able to display Christian virtues such as patience and gentleness, then I think we need to examin our motives.
Lastly, we are told in verses 25-26 that if we follow these commands, then God may lead this person to repentance. This is where reformed theology comes in. If it is God who saves and draws men to Himself apart from their will, then why are we getting frustrated and angry when unbelievers don't accept the gospel? As Calvinists, we believe that all men apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit are absolutely incapable of accepting the gospel message. They must first be born again.
I think the reason many of us are prone to become "walking debates" is because we, as Calvinists (that is, if you are one), have a hard time accepting that God can actually save apart from our arguments. Yes, we will debate predestination until the cows come home, but when it comes to actually applying or theology to the real world, we become inconsistent and our sinful natures become apparent. But why get upset at our failed arguments when, in our heart of hearts, we know that no argument can convince them in the first place? Why not trust that God is glorified when His truth is proclaimed, whether someone gets saved or not?
As I mentioned before, this blog was written for myself just as much as it was for those who struggle as I do. I can be just as weak as anyone else when it comes to getting frustrated when those don't accept the truth when it is staring at them in the face. And even worse, I am just as weak when it comes to spending hours in debate forums and chats and trying to win debates. Such behavior is unbiblical and should cause us to humble ourselves before our sovereign Creator who saved us apart from anyone's "good arguments."
So in conclusion, i'd like to encourage all who obsess with debate and arguing to really examin your motives. Ask your Creator to give you a more gentle attitude and a heart for the lost. Ask Him to show you the depravity of your own heart so that you'll see more clearly that you really are no different from anyone else. And praise Him for having mercy on you, a sinner with no hope or chance for heaven, and giving His Son as a sacrifice.
A "walking debate" is a person who eats and breathes theological debate. All this person wants to do is fight. He loves to flex his theological muscles. The best thing anyone could ever tell him is, "wow, thats a great point. I'll have to look into it and get back to you." The "walking debate" sees this not as a sign of humility but a sign as defeat; "He's looking into it! That means I stumped him!!"
You see, the "walking debate" isn't concerned with truth or saving souls. He wants to win arguments. Now, he may claim that he is doing this for the gospel of Jesus Christ, but we all know that actions speak louder than words. He spends hours upon hours in chat rooms and message boards. Saying "I'm not sure, i'll have to look into that" is not an option. To him, that is a sign of weakness. Again, its all about winning.
Why am I even bringing all of this up? Because as one who is regularly involved in apologetics, who regularly is engaged in theological discussion and debate, I need to be careful that I don't become a "walking debate." Back in my early days of studying apologetics I found myself spending hours upon hours in chat rooms and discussion boards. Why? Was it my true intention to see the unbelievers that I was debating come to know the Jesus Christ that I knew; the one who saved me from my sins? Maybe to some degree. But I knew in my heart of hearts that there was a debater inside of me that wanted nothing more to simply win the debate.
But think about this for a moment. What happens if you do "win" the debate? What then? Let's say, for instance, that you convinced your evolutionist friend that archeoptryx isn't really a transitional fossil. What then? All you've done is impressed on his mind doubt that one out of thousands of so-called transitional fossils isn't all that its made out to be. Are you going to be able to do the same for the other fossils?
What i'm trying to say is let's not "debate" for the sake of debating. Let's debate for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And let us do so in accordance with the Scriptures in 2 Timothy 2:23-26,
"But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels." (v. 23)
Before we jump the gun here and say that Paul is here saying that we should no longer engage in theological debate, let's think about what Paul is saying. First, there are a few different ways to translate "speculations." (Greek, zētēsis) Thayer's Greek provides the following definitions:
a seeking, enquiry, a questioning, debate, a subject of questioning or debate, matter of controversy.
So we see that "speculation" is one of many possible translations. But the point is, whether it should be translated "speculation" or "debate," we should heed to the Apostle Paul's command to avoid foolish debate. And how do we know what is and isn't a foolish debate? Fortunately, this passage is quite specific. Paul identifies a "foolish" debate as one that produces quarrels. But doesn't all debate produce quarrels? In a sense they do. But we all know that Paul, and ultimately Jesus Christ (who inspired Scripture), would be hypocrites if they were commanding all Christians to avoid anything and everything that caused "quarrels." And the reason I say this because the Apostle Paul was constantly in the the temple preaching and debating the Jews. Do you think that Paul caused a few Jews to get a little bit upset? You bet he did. In fact, they got so upset that they often wanted to kill Paul. So do you really think that Paul was really commanding Timothy to not engage in theological debate when he himself was doing it? I don't think so. What I believe Paul is emphasizing is not so much the debate itself, or even the results. Instead, I think that he is emphasizing the intent or desire.
"The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." (v. 24-26)
First, Paul tells us that we should be "kind to all." As one who engages in debate, are you being kind? Are you respecting the person, but at the same time strongly disagreeing with his beliefs? I think that the moment we engage in personal attack, name calling (Ad-hominem), or anything else that would distract from the actual issue at hand, then you are violating this command of Scripture.
Second, Paul tells us to be able to teach. Are you able to teach? Or are you only able to debate? As I mentioned before, if you "win the debate," then you have actually accomplished very little unless that person shows any sign of spiritual activity (that they Holy Spirit may be at work within them). But let's say that you spent 2 years attempting to convince your Jehovah's Witness friend that the Watchtower is a false prophet and shouldn't be trusted. Finally he realized this and removed himself from the bondage of the organization. What then? Because you're so used to trying to win arguments, you've forgotten how to clearly present the gospel when someone finally shows signs of vulnerability.
Thirdly, we are told to be "patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition." Why are we told this? I think there are many reasons we could come up with. But what comes to mind is that Paul is trying to keep us honest. If we aren't able to display Christian virtues such as patience and gentleness, then I think we need to examin our motives.
Lastly, we are told in verses 25-26 that if we follow these commands, then God may lead this person to repentance. This is where reformed theology comes in. If it is God who saves and draws men to Himself apart from their will, then why are we getting frustrated and angry when unbelievers don't accept the gospel? As Calvinists, we believe that all men apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit are absolutely incapable of accepting the gospel message. They must first be born again.
I think the reason many of us are prone to become "walking debates" is because we, as Calvinists (that is, if you are one), have a hard time accepting that God can actually save apart from our arguments. Yes, we will debate predestination until the cows come home, but when it comes to actually applying or theology to the real world, we become inconsistent and our sinful natures become apparent. But why get upset at our failed arguments when, in our heart of hearts, we know that no argument can convince them in the first place? Why not trust that God is glorified when His truth is proclaimed, whether someone gets saved or not?
As I mentioned before, this blog was written for myself just as much as it was for those who struggle as I do. I can be just as weak as anyone else when it comes to getting frustrated when those don't accept the truth when it is staring at them in the face. And even worse, I am just as weak when it comes to spending hours in debate forums and chats and trying to win debates. Such behavior is unbiblical and should cause us to humble ourselves before our sovereign Creator who saved us apart from anyone's "good arguments."
So in conclusion, i'd like to encourage all who obsess with debate and arguing to really examin your motives. Ask your Creator to give you a more gentle attitude and a heart for the lost. Ask Him to show you the depravity of your own heart so that you'll see more clearly that you really are no different from anyone else. And praise Him for having mercy on you, a sinner with no hope or chance for heaven, and giving His Son as a sacrifice.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Friday, August 03, 2007
Let the bodies hit the floor...
Unfortunately i'm not going to have regular internet access for a few weeks because of a moving situation. This means that i'll be posting little to no blogs. If anyone has any suggestions on what you'd like to see me write about, please leave me a comment or drop me a message. Anyways, here's a little fun in the meantime:
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