Travis Griffith
Travis Griffith has some advice for Pope Benedict XVI. What do you think of it?
A recent Associated Press news article says Pope Benedict XVI is condemning what he calls a “growing aversion” to the Christian faith.
The article says ‘the pope is urging Christians to invigorate efforts to spread their faith’s message despite what he described as the unfriendly climate to Christianity in parts of the world.’ Benedict is quoted as saying,
In a world marked by religious indifference and even by a growing aversion toward the Christian faith, a new intense activity of evangelization is necessary.
The pontiff went on to say that Christians need to put aside their differences so they can unite their efforts.
Regular readers know by now that I adore the Christian faith and the people who follow it. I believe their religion is the correct one… for them. I also happen to believe that every other religion (or faith or form of spirituality) is equally correct for their respective followers.
I know I’m just a lowly blogger and Benedict is, you know, the pope, but that doesn’t mean I can’t disagree with him. Was he wrong in making the statement he did? Of course not. His truth lies with the Christian faith and he’s just walking his path.
But, it’s not a path I believe is best for the world. I believe intense evangelizing is exactly why there is an aversion to Christianity in the first place. It pisses people off.
With that in mind, instead of saying what he did, I would have liked to see the pope deliver this speech (yeah, now I’m writing speeches for the pope, which is kind of cheesy, but I’d sure have a lot of respect for him if he’d say something like this):
Dear Friends,
It is with great humility that I recognize a growing world trend; a trend that is leading many of the world’s people away from the Christian faith. In fact, I acknowledge that there is even a troubling, and growing, aversion to Christianity.
Our world is marked by religious indifference, and even worse, intolerance. While I, and the followers of Christianity, believe that Christ is the way and the truth, we must also be aware enough to realize not everyone will believe as we do.
In the past I might have called for intense evangelizing to spread the Word and convert non-believers. Today though, I ask of you something even greater. Rather than join the ranks of the intolerant, I ask that we, as Catholics and Christians, evolve to the ranks of acceptance.
How can we preach tolerance without following it? How can we know love if we don’t experience it?
It is simple arrogance to preach that all people of the world should believe as we do. So please, do not evangelize to your Muslim, pagan and atheist neighbors. Love them and accept them for who they are, but remind them the door to Christianity is always open should they choose to walk through it and follow us.
Upon all of you, I invoke the abundant blessings of the Almighty and, in particular, the gift of peace.
Love… to all.
Do you think a speech like this would help reverse the aversion to Christianity? I sure do, but feel free to discuss amongst yourselves, or make fun of me, in the comment section.
***
Travis Griffith, who left behind the corporate marketing world, choosing family and writing in lieu of “a comfortable life” financially, is a former atheist trying to define what leading a spiritual life really means. His children’s book, Your Father Forever, published in 2005 by Illumination Arts Publishing Company, Inc. captures only a fraction of his passion for fatherhood.
***
Editorial Note: The thoughts presented within this blog post are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the entire Relief staff. Though there may be some differences between the journal’s theology and that of the author, we believe that the questions this author raises about faith and love are important.
As far as the title goes, I don’t think it’s Christianity that needs saving – it’s me & you.
I find it’s true what the pope meant, but there is one big difference who makes changes everything, when you have understand the gift of the cross and what Jesus really has done, when you start following him and you get new borne (by inviting Jesus into your heart and with Him you invite the Holy Spirit and you ask him for forgiveness for your sins and you change your habituates) and when you have done so, everything get’s different and it’s very difficult to keep quiet and not to tell what happened to you. Because there will be so much joy in your life. Peter was in prison and he song in pleasure to God. Nothing matter’s anymore. You get free of everything. If there are still things you would like to change and you cannot do so. You ask Jesus to help to you for doing good things otherwise he will not be with you. But if you change in the way God wants you to. He will be with you and with this all his protection. There is nothing better than this. So you can already live the living God on earth but there is much more afterwards. For the other persons who didn’t want to search him on earth, unfortunately it’s often too late. As sure as God is real so the devil and the hell is reality as well. If really you want to know why we are trying to convince you than have a look to http://www.gedeonchampion.com, the history of the 7 Colombians who were taken to hell and to heaven themselves. If you doubt, think about what is the salary of a lying history for christians, it get them to hell. Why should they do so. They don’t get anything for such a story but eventually there are some persons who don’t listen to the other critical persons, but they have a try to do as I told you, as the bible tells us and they persists up to the moment they feel the same thing I have described above. Up from this moment they will never be alone again. Jesus accompanies us each day through all our problems and this as long as we go his way up to the Eternity. Thank you Jesus for having given your life to us.
He doesn’t want religion but relationship, friendship to Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. When you give the glory to him for everything you do, you will be unreachable. You can pray for silk persons and they get healed, and so much more. Such person Jesus wants to do evangelization. This is fire, these persons will be accompanied by the Holy Spirit. Just world don’t change opinions, only the Holy Spirit can do so. It’s right it’s needed evangelization but in love and in prayer. The right evangelizations are accompanied by miracles. In Africa there is an orphanage where the kids pray for deaf men and 100% are healed. Didn’t Jesus say: Pray for sick persons and chase away demons. I am sorry is newly a very long story, hope for all that you enjoy it. With much love from Switzerland.
The World has always hated Jesus.
To be perfect God must be triune.
Only Christianity describes God as triune.
Have you ever wondered why God must be a Trinity to be perfect?
To be truly perfect God must be able to appreciate His own perfection. To do this requires a second person for a single person cannot fully appreciate his own beauty and perfection. In enjoying and understanding their marvelous perfection the first two persons of God create a perfect relationship. In order to completely understand and appreciate this perfect relationship takes yet another person.
This Love, Love, Love relationship, for the Third person of God is as much perfection as the other Two, completes Himself in/as the Eternal Triune God. But even though all three are God: The Father is not the Son, The Son is not The Holy Spirit and The Holy Spirit is not The Father etc.
There is no rational argument against the Trinity; only acceptance or refusal. The advice you give comes from not understanding what evangelism is. When Christ speaks into your heart and says, “That blog, say: “Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The life,” I respond and type it; that’s evangelism.
You are the target of this evangelistic outreach. Will you put some other idea in Jesus place or advise others to do so? Why? Christ is God.
Dear Bridgitte,
I think it’s great that you are so passionate about your faith…but I can promise you that referring non-believers to a website to read a ficticious story about some crazy Colombians makes you sound brainwashed and extremely gullible.
As much as I empathize with your frustration at the constant barrage of evangelism in your life, I do not think that for the Christian passivity is the best course to choose. It is not dissimilar to the gay mans cause in which many actively (sometimes flamboyantly) and openly evangelize their cause. It is natural for all animal creatures to seek comrades and grow in number. Furthermore it is natural that they seek to find oneness with others. How much more if they are mandated to do so by the Bible.
Asking the gay man to stop promoting the homosexual lifestyle is counter productive to the end goal of enlargening the circle of lovers. Likewise asking the Christian to stop promoting the Christian lifestyle is counter productive to the end goal of enlargening the circle of the body of Christ.
I am however certain that the pontiffs call to “an intense activity of evangelism” is nothing more than his attempt to follow scripture as an apostle of Christ. Apostles are those who call on the church to continue its mandated mission. Many Christians have become complacent and disheartened in their concerted efforts to promote in the face of adversity. They know that they are dying and don’t have reason to hope. Its sad really.
Anyway, I think your letter would stand against Christianity and if he said that he would be called the Beast, 666 by every church leader in the world. Don’t worry. They will still go door to door at the same slow pace, unfortunately it will still annoy you.
Rather take it as a free opportunity to evangelize to them (without the work). They’ll say, “have you heard about Jesus,” you just respond “have you heard about me”. Then you begin to tell them of the wonders of living and loving life because you have made the choice to free your mind of the useless clutter and concepts like sin, fear, sickness, hate, death, the meaning of life.
Trust me, they will envy you:)
This is an interesting idea, Travis (I think I say that about a lot of your ideas). I will readily admit, being told what to believe pisses me off. But when I think about it further, what pisses me off is not the act of evangelism. It’s amateurs. Zealots. Those with shallow faith, who boil their beliefs down to a sales pitch, because that’s what they were fed, and that’s all they know. In actuality, I have to acknowledge that evangelism is going to be part of any belief system. I mean, when I find something I like or dislike (coffee, cars, technology, food, services, etc.), I tell between 1 and 10 people about my experience, statistically. So it should be obvious that people will also be inclined to do the same with their most preciously held beliefs. There are lots of reasons for this that we won’t analyze now (seeking affirmation, confirmation, etc.), but I think we can safely say that telling others what we believe in a way that may persuade them to believe the same is not unusual. It’s very natural.
So back to my point. I don’t mind when someone asks me what I believe or wants to tell me what they believe – depending how they do it. I grew up in the church and have experienced some very cool and some very weird things over the years. I have a degree in theology. I’ve thought, prayed, etc. about this long enough to come to some of my own conclusions, and I’ve experienced enough to be able to see through someone’s motivations when they approach me about faith. Personally, I love nothing more than a good deep discussion on faith that involves two people who are genuine and not threatened by other perspectives. Love that. It’s healthy. But I hate nothing more than being targeted by someone trying to score points for getting me to repeat after them in my purchase of a ticket to heaven. That pisses me off. In those cases, it actually gives me some sick pleasure to challenge their weak sales-pitchy faith, because I can tell it’s shallow and just for show. Don’t get me wrong, we all start somewhere, and need to grow. But don’t pretend that faith is about knowing answers and scoring points. So my problem isn’t necessarily with evangelism. It’s with misguided efforts and what I would call “american christianity”. I’ll give the pope the benefit of the doubt that he wasn’t describing what comes to mind when I think of bad evangelism. I’ll assume he meant the good kind – praying for people, visiting those in need, helping the poor and afflicted, caring for widows and orphans, giving, demonstrating love through actions rather than persuasive comments.
I don’t believe for a second that any mortal’s speech will ever curb the world’s aversion to Christianity. The gospel is offensive to those who don’t believe. Period. It seems elitist and excluding. I know because it’s how I once felt about the “Good News”.
However, even in the midst of Mr. Griffith’s post-modern lingo of tolerance and all faiths being equal, he has a point. The gospel is offensive. Christians shouldn’t be. I believe in evangelizing, but many—if not most—that participate in sharing their faith do it lacking any sense of discernment. They don’t wait for the Holy Spirit’s lead.
All boldness and no brains is bad evangelism. Not only might we piss people off, we could hurt them or set them back in their journey. Relationships must precede witnessing. And our walk needs to measure up with our talk. We need to serve each other like Christ serves us.
Evangelizing to a nonbeliever at their loved one’s funeral by quoting Romans 8:28 is NOT compassionate. It’s Christian jackassery.
We should be salt and light. We should also keep in mind that overdoing the salt can ruin the dish, too much light can burn.
I suppose my opinions lie somewhere between the pontiff’s and Mr. Griffith’s. I’m think I’m okay with that.
I agree to you James, Jesus is God but He is also the way to reach God. We need to remember what he has done on the cross; without this remembers we cannot reach God. At least when I am reading the bible it tells me so. And when I look to one of the evangelic of Paul- even he mentioned at the end of the prayer “in the name of Jesus”, (to my surprise). I prefer to mention in my prayer in the name of Jesus to confirm I want to pass by him. You cannot go through the Saints. I once discussed to a person and she said to me “I am praying to the Santa Rita to ask God for helping her with her husband.”Further I ask «why do you pray to her.” Her answer was:”She had problems with her husband and she asks Jesus to help her and He did so, that’s why I pray to Santa Rita.” Then I said “why aren’t you praying to Jesus as well, or to God in the name of Jesus.” That’s what God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit wants you to do!!” There are so many prayer’s without answers, aren’t they caused by this misunderstanding, the prayers only too God without recognizing the sacrifice of the life of Jesus. There is a film of a man dying and he heard “pray to God” and he tried praying to God, nothing happened only the demons were getting very angry about each mention of God, but at the end he heard “shut for Jesus “and when he did so the light came to him. So, shouldn’t we include “in the name of Jesus” and not do just prayers to God in thinking at the Trinity. I am hearing of a lot of miracles and I have lived them too. My husband wasn’t anymore here if there hadn’t been God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I prefer to do my prayers with this mention and I know I do as Jesus told to me too, with the sentence “I am the way, the truth and the life nothing comes to the Father then by me.” For miracles, I read Derek Prince, you need to give to understand to the devil that you know he is defeated by the sacrifice of Christ so if you don’t mention it and you just pray to God you don’t take the victory of Christ. When you invite Jesus in your heart, we are asked to start doing like him. He said go and pray for the person sick. Miracles will happen as Jesus grows in us. But this means to get rude of the sins. As well this is possible as Jesus has taken them on him like the sickness and the suffering on the cross and died but rose from death and left with this even the death behind him, so nothing should have power on us. The Israelites didn’t have to care of the flea of the Egyptians’. Neither does us when we recognize everything that Jesus has done for us.
Hope I didn’t misunderstand as my English isn’t as good and you wanted just to say this wouldn’t be the place to tell so much about what I am writing. I am sorry if I did so, but I think it’s so important that everyone can have the chance to life what I am living. But God might bless you all. In the name of Jesus. Bridget.
When a Roman Catholic or other priest prays, “in the name of the Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost” he is speaking on behalf of Christ’s Body, the Church [Ephesians 1:22 & 23]. It is as much an order for action or a pronouncement of fact as a pleading to God and is valid. When the same priest says a prayer that ends “in Jesus’ Name,” the prayer is perhaps more biblically correct but not more valid.
Although I don’t pray to saints I respect those who do. It is the same as asking a person who sits next to you in a church service to pray for you, a fellow believer and child of God. A saint is not dead but alive “in Christ’s nearer presence,” i.e. visible presence. When you pray to the Father in Jesus’ Name you know beyond doubt that you are heard; “the Bible tells me so.” [John 14:13, 14. John 15:16, John 16:23, 24 and others] If a person prays to a saint, or using better terminology asks a saint to join them in prayer, how is the petitioner to know that the saint is present and hears the prayer? Only God is omnipresent, everywhere at the same time.
Brigitte wrote: [“Then I said ‘why aren’t you praying to Jesus as well, or to God in the name of Jesus.’ That’s what God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit wants you to do!!” There are so many prayer’s without answers, aren’t they caused by this misunderstanding, the prayers only too God without recognizing the sacrifice of the life of Jesus.”] Amen, that is what the Eternal Triune God, God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit, wants you to do, recognize Jesus and His sacrifice.
But this blog is about evangelism. Being a Living Epistle, a living letter, the Word of God become flesh is the same as saying being like Jesus; this is the best way to evangelize. Christ is Emmanuel, God with us. “The Church is Christ’s Body the fullness of Him that fills all in all.” [Ephesians 1:23]
So, what do I have to share from my walk of faith with Christ? The miracle births of my three children. What’s so miraculous about that? My wife and I were both SEPARATELY diagnosed as sterile, unable to impregnate or conceive. After prayer, we recieved three now adult children who have so far produced two grandchildren and one more due this summer; three total. I have many other answered prayers.
Denying Christ is the fast track to hell, eternal separation from God which is hell enough without any further embellishment. This includes ANY religion that denies Christ.
A taste of hell is available here and now in this life, just live without Jesus.
So, tell me again: what’s so bad about evangelization? The world has always hated Jesus. The more a person is like Jesus, the more the world hates him and his message.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” [Mathew 5:16]
Jesus is life. Know Jesus know peace; no Jesus no peace.
#1: Yes.
Reminds me of G K Chesterton’s response to the editors who posed the question:
What’s Wrong with the World?
Chesterton wrote back:
Dear Sirs,
I am.
Travis, I partly feel the need to comment (which I don’t often do) just so you know that there is someone out here who actually heard you. But also to say, Yes! — you’re exactly right. Mr Pope and other evangelist leaders could go a long way toward healing my own and many others’ aversion to Christianity if they would try living the loving message they preach, and that means letting go of the incredible arrogance that says theirs is The Only Way.
I am reading Greg Mortenson’s new book Stones into Schools. I’ve just finished the section in which he describes how after the 2005 earthquake that devastated areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, it was the radical Muslim groups that rushed in with aid and with madrassas, in order to recruit young men who could be taught to hate the US and Christianity. If Christians were as eager to rush in and offer aid with love, then people might respond to Christianity and Catholocism differently. This same scenario is played out all over the world. If Christians used a lot less rhetoric and a lot more love in action to people who desperately need help, the Pope wouldn’t need to write such a letter in the first place.
I question I sometimes get asked is, “will you put another idea in the place of Jesus?” I think someone even asked it here.
The quick answer to that, and probably something worth another post, is yes. For my personal beliefs, I put ‘love’ in the place of ‘Jesus.’
I believe Jesus existed and that his teachings were valid. I do not believe he is a deity to be worshiped, but a human to learn from. I have my own reasons for these beliefs, but those aren’t important to anyone but me. The question I ask is, do you believe I am going to ‘hell’ for such a belief?
I’m not sure if your question about ‘hell’ was directed at anyone in particular, so I’ll chime in.
My simple answers is…it doesn’t matter what I think.
There are all kinds of points to discuss within your question that I would find interesting. The concept of hell, actions or beliefs that get you there or don’t get you there, whether others can pursuade you to believe differently and change the outcome at all, etc. None of those really will ever be solved beyond a shadow of a doubt. The truth is, none of us can know with certainty anyway. That’s why faith is the way it is.
So it only matters what you believe. This is why I dislike some things about evangelism as I described above. I don’t believe you can “sell” someone a belief that will carry any kind of depth. Each person has to come to their own convictions independently.
I would like to say to you Travis, didn’t Jesus say: “if you don’t put him at the first place in your heart, if there is something else who has more worth for you than Him, you are not worth Him. If you aren’t born of water and the Holy Spirit you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Didn’t God say in the Revelation: It’s a shame but if you are just tepid I will crush you out!” If I hear all these sentences I try to correspond to the will of God. If I think, I cannot do it, I ask Jesus to help me to reach to Their demands. We cannot change us or just with a lot of problems, but he can. He wants us to depend on him already on earth. And so everything gets simple. And you can see the hand of God, for things impossible to change to human, but for Him they are possible to change. Everything was paid on cross, sickness, suffering and sins. Are you able to change somebody who is dependent in pornographies, drogues, alcohol, suicide, fornication etc.? Worlds makes it worth changes the persons in rebels, but prayer and the proclamation that we cannot do something against it, but that Jesus took everything on Him on the cross (Essaie 53.4) to get us free. Ask us well the Holy Spirit to give you the revelation to know how you need to pray. So you will get free. That’s really great that counts even for sickness, sores, fever as it’s similar paid. So if you discover the victories as the apostles lifted during the time of Jesus. and then ask Jesus to refill the places who got set free by his blood and the Holy Spirit. When you have lived things l think you never would go back. You love the others (that’s like Jesus asks us to do) but as you love them, you cannot leave them in the ignorance. So I don’t think it’s arrogance to don’t accept other believes but it’s sadness for them to not be able to life paradise on the earth. The bible is the last will of God for his children. So you can take your heir if you don’t go to the pronunciation of the last will, that’s the same thing if you don’t read the bible and proclaim your heir to your family. Ask pardon for every sin even those of your grand, grand, grand, grandfather, aunts etc.
I was catholic romaine, I had a Jesus who died and still was death on the cross, without relationship. When I got to know my husband, big problems started. But today I say thank you Lord for these problems otherwise I never had found you, as I know you now. I started really to search Jesus with the bible, with the family of God and the churches. And meanwhile I got so many revelations that are too great not to give further. Before I pried as well to Saints and Marie, but the bible tells us not to do so. As this was habitudes of the family I don’t even know where my earthly father is. I have chosen to leave as Jesus asked me.
All these things make it sure to me that searching Jesus for the life on earth worth it already but specially for afterwards. So if you want really to be sure of paradise afterwards, look for the best relationship you can find the relationship that changes the world, Jesus. Then there will be dialogues and not more monologues and this with God. Great no??? Otherwise I cannot tell you if you go to the other place (hell). Nobody can say it. It’s the grace of Jesus who can save you, but sure…???
Travis wrote: “For my personal beliefs, I put ‘love’ in the place of ‘Jesus.’”
God wrote: I John 4:8, “…God is Love.”
Brigette wrote: “So I don’t think it’s arrogance to don’t accept other believes but it’s sadness for them to not be able to life paradise on the earth.”
God wrote: John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto [you] I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Michael wrote: “Each person has to come to their own convictions independently.”
God wrote: Acts 16:31 “… Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
David wrote: “If Christians were as eager to rush in and offer aid with love, then people might respond to Christianity and Catholocism [sic]differently.”
God wrote: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Hanna quoted G. K. Chesterton: “I am.”
God wrote: Exodus 3:14 “And God said …
I AM THAT I AM:”
G. K. Chesterton wrote in ORTHODOXY: “The things said most confidently by advanced persons to crowed audiences are generally those quite opposite to the fact; it is actually our truisms that are untrue. Here is a case. There is a phrase of facile liberality uttered again and again at ethical societies and parliaments of religion: “the religions of the earth differ in rites and forms, but they are the same in what they teach.” It is false; it is opposite of the fact, the religions of the earth do NOT [emphsis his] greatly differ in rites and forms; they do greatly differ in what they teach.”
Michele wrote: “Evangelizing to a nonbeliever at their loved one’s funeral by quoting Romans 8:28 is NOT compassionate. It’s Christian jackassery.
We should be salt and light. We should also keep in mind that overdoing the salt can ruin the dish, too much light can burn.:
Jim wrote: Amen
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Yes, I agree that God is love, but I ask this: Is love… God?
Love…God…Jesus…
These are concepts. Ideas. Yes Jesus was a real person, but the transformational and personal Jesus is a concept.
Christians receive these concepts as truth. No doubt they change hearts and minds, but love is a separate concept from God.
A Christian will often differentiate love into agape, phileo, and aros. However unconditional love is the only kind that reigns true with Paulian love… “love is patient, kind, does not envy, is not jealous.”
The concept called God has parameters. Thus it is not akin to Paulian love. God is not always merciful, kind. God has stock in the human commodity and is jealous.
So true love is only available to those who do not care about the situation. When one cares they become jealous, possessive.
Love is NOT the same concept as God. Unless you redefine God to not care.
Beautifully written speach Travis. I totally agree with every aspect of this article. It shouldn’t matter where the love, peace and happiness of the heart comes from as long as it’s there.
I wonder why Christians seem to evangelize more than any other religion. I have NEVER had a Buddist, Muslim, Pagen or Atheist come to my door handing out booklets, wanting to discuss religion. Pagens, Atheists, Buddist ect don’t have have channels on tv (well not that I’ve seen)asking for donations, preaching their ways. Why??
Are other religions more secure in their faith? Why do Christians/Catholics seem to NEED to have others believe what they do. Do Christians feel comfort from the masses? If every one believes the same thing then it has to be true right?
I used to be a Christian and was so confused by what I was brought up to believe. It never felt right to me. But since every one else believed it then it must be the truth, RIGHT?
Well not my truth. Not my path and my way to enlightment of the soul and heaven. I understand powerful feelings surrounding ones faith. The power of belief & prayer. The beautiful feeling of wholeness having found a path that gives certianty & peace in ones heart. Wanting to share that with others can be a great thing, but olnly if it’s wanted. It is very unfortunate that we can’t embrace each others beliefs. Be happy that our neighbor has found a path (even if it’s different then ours). We are all in persuit of the same out come, what difference does it make how we find God as long as we find him/her.
Blessed be!
Muslims don’t proselytize? Elise, you may not have had a Muslim knocking on your door, but Muslim aren’t necessarily seeking you out. Rather, they are looking for likely converts. Have you not read or heard about the millions of dollars that have poured out of Saudi Arabia into Pakistan and Afghanistan to build thousand of madrassas to indoctrinate young men into violent fundamentalism?
Hold on David…
“Have you not read or heard about the millions of dollars that have poured out of Saudi Arabia into Pakistan and Afghanistan to build thousand of madrassas to indoctrinate young men into violent fundamentalism?”
That is not Islam or what it means to be Muslim. That is a radical sect that will die, in time.
Why do humans judge other religions like this? It will only keep humanity living in an age of darkness. When we accept each other, we enter a world of light.
Travis, I like you. You make me think.
Honestly, I’ve kind of skimmed the comments, keeping your initial post in my head. I didn’t want to get on other tangents or influenced by other comments. Much of my thoughts may have been addressed, and probably more eloquently. You’ll find I am very plain spoken.
Jesus was totally into acceptance. I can’t handle my own stuff, but Jesus, when dying on the cross, handled my stuff as well as everyone else’s stuff in the complete history of the world (future and past) all in the course of a few hours. That’s kind of a lot of pain to feel all at one time. Can you imagine the sorrow? Over the course of a week, I might be brought to tears a couple of times over the stuff I experience. Imagine everyone’s (EVERYONE’S) sorrows/mistakes/disappointments/sins (pick one) all at once. That’s overwhelming.
The only time Jesus wasn’t into acceptance was with self-righteous jerks who thought it was what they did was what made them right with God–even though nobody, including themselves, could do those things 100% right 100% of the time. How many perfect people did Jesus heal? How many perfect people witnessed miracles and believed they were indeed miracles? Jesus said to believe in Him. Paul said his determined purpose was to know Him. It’s mine too, and I think it’ll take a lifetime to do that.
Evangelism has a bad rap. Yes, it is easier to cram a scrap of paper in your face with easy pre-thought-out formulas on it than it is to express what I truly believe about Jesus being the answer. ( “I” is meant to represent Christianity as a whole but, here, probably only really represents “me”.) And I guess that’s because while I truly believe Jesus is the way, I haven’t been able/willing/confident enough in my faith to put the reasons (and Biblical references) in a convincing enough manner–because I’m still working this stuff out myself. Trust me, I would love to be better at this so that you’d go “Yes, Jesus must be it” and seek Him out for yourself and we could sit by each other on Sundays and text each other scriptures and prayers during the week and, through our transformed minds, help people learn that they are loved exactly as they are and have been created to be more than they dared to think or imagine. And have them actually believe that. Seeing it come to pass in my own life has been a very slow process.
So you’ll know my background, I’m the kid whose parents dropped her off at church. I didn’t have some special person who took an interest or mentored me. Nobody pressured me into going to church (a specific church, yes, but not attendance). From the first time I heard about Jesus, I wanted to hear more. And though it was sporadic until I was an adult, I still want to know more about this perfect love Jesus has for us. I want to love others like this.
I guess I can sum this whole rambling post up like this: Jesus loved people. He said he only did what the Father told Him to do. He performed a lot of miracles and fulfilled a lot of prophecies. He said to believe in Him. And so I do. And by doing so, I hope to know Him better and be transformed into someone more like Him, because the Father made me to be like Him.
I don’t think the Vatican will be beating down my door for any speeches, Travis, but I hope this made sense.
Elise,
Read what Angie wrote. [post #22] Your answers lie within her words. Relationship with Jesus is life.
Angie,
You have blessed me. You define true evangelism by example. Jesus led by example. So have you. You are acting like Him; great job.
The concept that some have called their god may have parameters but Elohiym, The Eternal Triune God does not.
Jesus of Nazareth IS GOD. [John 1:1] That fact is the point on which all of life and creation turns. “Religion pure and undefiled” is defined in the book of James, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” [James 1:27]
Our relationships with Jesus are not religion as defined by Saint James.
It is Jesus himself that causes tension, for He said, “I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” [John 14:6] The person of Jesus is God touching us. The Gospel of Saint John calls Jesus Himself God and equates Jesus and The Bible: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” [John 1:1]
The Greek Language [the language of the New Testament] has four words all translated by the English word “love.” What is sometimes called Pauline love is actually Agape, the Love Nature of the Eternal Triune God, examples: “…God is Agape.” I John 4:8. “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels…” I Corinthians 13:1, describes Agape.
In the Old Testament when God seemed to be so bad and blood thirsty, He was preparing the birth nation of The Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. God could not risk having Christ born into a nation that killed its own babies in worship of some piece of stone. As bad as it seems, it is a manifestation of God’s Love.
A quote from C.S. Lewis: “There is more faith in an honest doubt than in all the creeds.”
Oh my gosh… My head is spinning from so much stuff being said on here I am about to spew verbal vomit all over the place!!
I am going to try and make my opinion as straight as possible whilst touching on a few points.
Travis I absolutely appreciate your blog and see both your side and the other view points from the majority of people on here.
Rob; I wanted to touch on yours. I don’t think (my opinion and what I got from this) that anyone is saying to stop promoting the christian lifestyle. It is the untolerant, hostile evangelism that I have become accustomed too that I believe we are talking about. I wouldn’t want anyone to stop talking about their beliefs for a moment, but to be more receptive. I am more than willing to listen to people and debtae over believes, in fact I love listening to people defend their beliefs. But I don’t like to be attacked. I mean.. what makes your truth more true than my truth? (Expecting and anticipating heavy fire for that one) ANd a quick note regarding your gay statement which made me chuckle and twinge, as a homosexual we are not trying to add to our circle of “lovers” as you so kindly put it. We, at least myself, am trying to bring awareness that we are NORMAL PEOPLE, and deserve tolerance just as we put out. You cant just become gay, or “convert”. There is a big debate on this but i stand my ground as anyone else would on their own beliefs.
Bright Blessings!
SO much to touch on AAAHHH!! So… As an Ex Greek Othodox raised with the Koine Greek Bible (ancient greek) I know the book in and out, I have also been blessed with a Koran… Qudsi… I’ve read the mormon bible and would like to know what a lot of christians feel about THAT one
But regardless what I am saying is there were so many Gods before jesus’ birth that had the exact same story… why pick Jesus? Furthermore when people say Jesus is the Triune God or… something along thoes lines you guys are talking in context to your belief! This is where we need to realize that truth is relative to who is believing it! Quoting bible versus does nothing but make me want to slam the door in someone’s face because… it only holds water to those drinking it! I have my feelings about the bible (not what anyone is thinking thats for sure 
) but quoting bible versus’ is just as unsuccessfull as me quoting the wiccan creeds. Seriously? …
I don’t know if this is making much sense. BUt I do want to say that as a High Priestess Wiccan I have noted MANY “miracles” in my life wherein I pay tribute to my goddess and god. So… to anyone who doesnt believe what I believe… is this the work of your devil? Whom I do not believe in merely because he does not exist. Again this is my truth within the context of my belief system.
There is a point where you just can’t argue it anymore becaues I don’t believe you can honeslty make someone BELIEVE what you believe by reading a friggin book… I respect all religions all over the world that believe in tolerance, respect, love, and that do no harm. I also think we should preach tolerance while sharing our beliefs in a forum that is open and willing.
Im rambling, and probably going to get some shit for it, thats fine
The missionaries do it all the time 
So I’m golden. I just strongly believe that we need to accept each other for this one simple fact
no matter where you want to believe we came from; whether its from my Goddess, your God, their Gods… its from the same exact place. So knowing that we are all from the SAME EXACT PLACE why can’t we jus tlove each other past our religious differences? And by that I also mean accepting one other? You can say you love me that is why you preach to me and try to convert my family but I love you and that is why i meditate and pray over you… if you ask I shall answer, I expect the same in respect. We need to take a deeper look into why there is such a hostile response to evangelism.. I think its a necessary thing; its going to always be there no matter the religion, we just need to make sure those who are doing it are doing it with the right heart, the right spirit, and are educated in their own beliefs; grounded. There is a quote floating around that says “Just because someone isnt on the same path as you doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost”. Had any of us been born elsewhere on this wonderful earth would we believe the same thing? Stubborness says no.. but let us think on this.
And seriously? Bringing up the eractical groups and extremist for Afghanistan?? There are DEFFINETLY those same groups here on behalf of christianity. Blowing up abortion clinics? Jonestown ring any bells? I mean.. seriously… every batch of apples has its explosive TNT in it… so… i suggest to everyone, including myeslf, research other religions, before you talk about them. I learned this AFTER i left the church. Muslim is a beautiful religious structure that teaches love, respect, tolerance and a bunch of other stuff, but it has its extremist. Just like christianity teaches love respect, other morals, it has its extremist.
Its kind of like background music… we don’t talk about it until we hear the band fuck up a few bars… then its all we ever talk about.
Appreciate and acknowledge the good, and help bring awareness to the negative so it can be fixed.
My prayers continue with everyone, that we will one day overcome our minuet concerns over religions and one day love each other the way our gods love us.
Thanks
Bright Blessings!!
Dear Talia, There is just a big difference between any god and our God, in the God of Abraham, Moses, Isaac and Jacob, in the name of Jesus, that He still responds, He gives healing, He speaks to us, He takes away sins like dependences (when you are ready to give them to him, so that you can correspond to His desire and get perfect). With the death of Jesus Christ, God searched our relationship and when you accept this you can discover a God of so much Love. It’s sad that you don’t want to know this joy but it’s your decision I respect.
I don’t know if you remember the story of the bible of Ely when it didn’t rain for about 3 years and there was a group of persons who prayed to Baal and Ely who searched God. They were making a competition to burn an ox as scarify on a staple of wood. They looked who’s ox was going to burn. Ely even put water on the wood, and for all that the wood took fire while by the other’s there was no fire at all. They didn’t get any answer of their god. I prefer to have my God He cares still today for us and heal and looks for us.
I wish you all the best.
Brigitte
Oh my goodness I love this!
Angie- you speak eloquently and represent Christians well. Thank you.
Talia- you nailed it with: “Just because someone isnt on the same path as you doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.” Thank you for your candor and truth
Brigitte- you are obviously happy with your religion and your passion is admirable.
There will be much more conversation on this topic, and many others, and I hope you all join in. Gathering folks with different perspectives and views on life, spirituality and religion is good for us all.
All of your thoughtful comments have inspired more blog topics, so stay tuned!
Talia,
Thanks for your comment. My first comment was responding to Travis’s letter. He suggested that Christians should avoid invasive evangelism. The problem I was raising, is that to be an Apostle or Prophet, you must follow your Role. That role is simple, shout on the rooftops. Proclaim a return to faithfulness.
The reality is that no one really listens anyway except the crazies. Unfortunately people like you and Travis have to run into those crazies.
I get that that is annoying. My whole family and extended family are those people.
So yeah, I let people hold to their faith and often barrage me with their annoying “truths.”
To your gay issue, I was simply using the first analogy that came to my mind. I get that its more than just lovers. However I don’t believe its genetic, but I am not what is traditionally called “gay” so how would I know right. Only a theorist and not a practitioner.
And No truth is not relative. Truth is truth. The question is am I sane enough to observe my own ignorance. And do I have the power to extinguish my ego, in order to do that in public. The answer is yes, and that is my religion.
I believe you experience Christ, I believe you believe in Christ, I even believe you recognize Christ in others, but this belief is in your brain. If you think it is outside of your brain, then show me, because I do not see. If God is out there, then prove it. Otherwise join me in my religion and accept your weakness. By the way the schizophrenic has the exact same problem accepting his weakness. The only difference is that he is in the minority, so we drug him. Christians are in the majority, so we let the crazies be
I remember a time, when somebody built a boat without a lake nearby nothing. And there were as well plenty of persons thinking he was crazy. Even though he continued and finished the boat. They were laughing about him and his family. When they got the first drops of rain on their head they began to doubt about their blindness and when it started even worse and worse, and then when they realized that this was really a message of God, they would have liked to change but then they realized that they should have changed in time, but in between it was tooooooo late. So I hope so much for that you don’t miss your time. And you don’t need to say, ”I should have listen, now I cannot change anything anymore because I am death” and you have missed the whole time which you were given to look for the Essential Jesus.
When you search Jesus with all your heart you will find Him and this love is bigger and greater than anything else. Bye
So why is your raft so small? Is it because God learned something about people after the time of Noah? Or is it just easier to preach Jesus passively? Your God seems to have toned down his fear mongering.