Taylor
'When followers of Jesus share their faith, in essence, they are declaring that what Christians believe about Jehovah God, morality and eternity is right. The clear implication is that, in their minds, all other teachings or beliefs that don’t agree with Christian beliefs about God, other gods, and how to live, are wrong.'
Chris
'That is a detestable display of arrogance.'
Taylor
'Why do you say that?'
Chris
'Because, no matter how sincere a Christian is about their beliefs, there is no proof that their ‘truth’ is the only truth, or that what they believe is even correct. If Christians are doing what you say, that is the very definition of arrogance!'
Taylor
'Hmmm. How would you define arrogance?'
Chris
'An arrogant person thinks and acts like they are better than other people, not based on facts, but because of unsubstantiated or incorrect presumptions and perceptions. Arrogance is demonstrated by an intolerant attitude that desires to convert, control or condemn those with opposing views.'
Taylor
'Wow, I like that definition. But actually, your definition describes the exact opposite of Christ’s teachings about love, righteousness, truth, how His followers should live, and how they are to share the good news message about reconciliation with Father God.'
Chris
'Why do you say that?'
Taylor
'I am glad you asked! If you don’t mind, why don’t we take your definition of arrogance, break it down into smaller pieces, and compare those pieces, and your overall statement about arrogance, to what the Bible and life teach about what Christians believe, how they are supposed to live, and why they are to share the good news about Jesus with others?'
Chris
'I guess that would be alright?'
Taylor
'Great! Let’s split your definition of arrogance into four distinct parts:
- An arrogant person thinks and acts like they are better than other people, …
- … not based on facts, but because of unsubstantiated or incorrect presumptions and perceptions.
- Arrogance is demonstrated by an intolerant attitude…
- …that desires to convert, control or condemn those with opposing views.”
Are you okay with how I split up your definition?'
Chris
'Yea, that seems fine.'
Taylor
'Okay then, let’s dig in.
- An arrogant person thinks and acts like they are better than other people…
- Humility is a fundamental teaching of the Christian faith.
- Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
- Our greatest example of humility is Jesus Christ Himself.
- Philippians 2:7-8 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
- Throughout the Bible, God warns His people about pride and exalts humility.
- Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
- …not based on facts, but because of unsubstantiated or incorrect presumptions and perceptions.
- Let’s examine the facts that substantiate what Christians believe and declare.
- Historical accuracy of the Bible – archaeology continues to confirm more and more of the historical information presented and preserved in the Bible.
- Biblical prophecy fulfilled – the rise and fall of kings and nations, the seventy-year captivity of Israel in Babylon, the coming of Messiah, the regathering of the Jewish people as a nation in the promised land, and much more. What’s next? The return of Jesus Christ. This will initiate the fulfillment of the end times prophesies found in the Old and New Testaments.
- The resurrection of Jesus Christ – without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the entire Christian faith crumbles. Jesus rose from the dead to show that He is God and that everything He said is true. His life, death, and resurrection are clearly documented historical facts (from Biblical and nonbiblical texts).
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.
- 1 Corinthians 15:14-15 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise.
- Arrogance is demonstrated by an intolerant attitude…
- The greatest commandment from Christ to Christians is love.
- Mark 12:28-31 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” 29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
- Godly love is clearly defined in the Bible – the Biblical expectation for all relationships a Christian has with Father God, the church, and other people (including their enemies) is clear. Intolerance is incompatible with the Word of God.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails.
- …that desires to convert, control or condemn those with opposing views.
- Even though it is correct to say that the purpose of Christian evangelism is to see people converted to the Christian faith, the goal is not to control or condemn anyone. Christians believe that every person sins (falls short of God’s standards and requirements). They also believe that God’s wrath will be poured out on everyone who has not had every single one of their sins forgiven. A person who dies without being reconciled to God will experience God’s wrath by being separated from Him and experiencing eternal torment in a real place called hell.
- Christian’s believe that Jesus Christ is the human incarnation of God (Jesus was fully man and fully God). Jesus came and lived a perfect life so that He could voluntarily offer Himself as a once for all sacrifice to pay the sin debt of the world. However, for this payment to be credited to a person’s account, they must believe on Jesus Christ as Savior and surrender their entire lives to Him as Lord. Christians believe Jesus is the only way to have your sin debt paid and spend eternity in Heaven with God.
- John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Honestly, a Christian not sharing their faith is like a person running out of a building that has caught on fire without telling the other people in the building. Christian evangelism is based on obedience to Jesus (He commanded His followers to tell the world the truth about Him) and love for those who don’t know Jesus as Savior and Lord (our love for those who don’t know Christ compels us to use any forthcoming, nonconfrontational, and God-honoring means by which we can make a connection and share the truth).
- Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
- 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Sorry, I know that was a lot at one time – but what do you think?'
Chris
'Well, you made some interesting points I would like to discuss further, but first we need to address the following:
- You can’t deny that there are many Christians who act arrogant or judgmental. They do condemn people. They are very intolerant. They try to force their views and beliefs on all society.
- Also, much of the history of the Christian church doesn’t seem to match up with what you are saying. There has been a great deal of hate, persecution, forced conversions since the time of Jesus.
- You keep talking about truth. But I don’t believe there is just one absolute truth. You can have your truth, I can have mine. Just don’t try to force your truth on me.
Honestly, it will be hard for me to consider most of what you said until we discuss these issues further.'
Taylor
'Fair enough. But I think we should stop here for now and get back together next week to continue this discussion. Does that work for you?'
Chris
'Sure. Seen you then.'
Prayer
Father, may the truth of Your Word and the presence and power of Your Spirit bring us to the truth about Jesus. Please open hearts and minds to Your love. I pray this in Christ’s name. Amen.
