Part 6: Our job as Christians
First, we must tear down the dividing barrier that separates the 2 stories from each other. One way of doing this is to help non-believers face the inconsistencies between their professed beliefs and how they actually live their lives. We want to help people see that if their worldview contradicts commonsense experience, then it cannot be true.
As we have already seen, evolutionary psychologists tell us that our behavior of helping others is just a response so they will help us in return. That our response is programmed into us by our genes to help us survive better. Forget the fact that there’s no objective proof of this. So every good deed we do is ultimately selfish. But what do these scientists do when they take off their lab coats and go home? Do they treat their families like this? No! They are forced to live inconsistently with the philosophy that they have embraced professionally.
But Christianity gives us a basis for living consistently. Love is not an illusion created by our genes to promote our evolutionary survival but is an aspect of God’s imprint on us. We love because God loves. Often people are not aware of the logical conclusions of their own beliefs. It is our job to help make them aware of it. We cannot let them cheat by sneaking in a conclusion that is not rationally supported by their own worldview. A closed system of naturalism gives them no basis for morality, human dignity and sacrificial actions. But most people don’t act this way. Why not? Because they unknowingly borrow these values from Christianity without even realizing it. Christianity is a personal experience but not a private one. If someone is truly in the wrong, then the loving response is not to give in but to confront the person. Love must be strong and courageous in bringing the inconsistency to light where it can be diagnosed and dealt with.
But we Christians can have 2 wrong responses. One is that we can say the right thing in the wrong spirit. We have to make sure our speech is full of grace, seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6) and “A person finds joy in giving an apt reply – and how good is a timely word” (Proverbs 15:23). The other way is that we cover it up by saying it’s not that bad. But Joseph didn’t shy away from calling his brothers actions evil (Genesis 50:20) and neither should we. Another way is by pointing out that Christianity is an historical worldview, based on “fact”…historically verifiable events. Our class “Prove to Me that God Exists” is a good resource for this. Many of the recommended resources on my website are excellent in this regard and can equip you with rational, logical answers to skeptic’s questions. And of course, one of the best resources is the book that this course is based on….”Total Truth – Liberating Christianity from its Cultural Captivity” by Nancy Pearcey.
At the same time, we must confront compromises in our own lives. Christians can be infected by secular worldviews and naturalism not only in our beliefs but also in our practices. Even though we are saved from hell and will be in heaven, our earthly works will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ (1st Corinthians 3:10-15).
In the end, may we be found discerning of the world around us and obedient to God in exposing false worldviews and re-directing people to the One who is Creator, Sustainer, Savior and the one and only rue God.
Matthew 16:3…”…You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but cannot interpret the signs of the times”.
Ephesians 5:11…”Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but expose them”.
1st Timothy 6:20…”Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge…”
2nd Corinthians 13:11,14…”Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you….May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all”.
For His Kingdom,
Dave Maynard
http://BSSSB-LLC.com