"The Gospel Truth About How to Get to Heaven." Apostasy in Christianity is the rejection of Christianity by someone who formerly was a Christian or who wishes to administratively be removed from a formal registry of church members. There is a disconnect between how the Church views itself and how the outside world perceives the Church. Worldviews; Atheism ; Eastern Religions; Other Religions; Islam; Jehovah's Witnesses; Mormons; Relate. As a whole, Christianity loses more followers than it gains through religious switching. You can take the book out of the library and even unravel it by taking out the pages. Stink at Friendship. Why not make your own list? If someone believes they have the right to rape or kill whomever they please, should we accept their beliefs as an alternate lifestyle, or denounce them? I usually give the short answers: Christianity never made sense and always felt connected to Judaism. I once heard someone explain DNA as being like a cake recipe book in a library. The Messiah, who had died, is risen! But families are a built-in place for us to represent the truth of Christ and invite someone to become a Christian. Give the pupils a map. Sadly, many of the … Augustine is perhaps the most significant Christian thinker after St. Paul. auditory hallucinations, CCEF, Christianity and schizophrenia, Elyn Saks, hearing voices, Neel Burton, psychosis, schizophrenia, The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness, … Lewis once provided his own explanation. It comes down to this: God is perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4, Matthew 5:48). By Natasha Crain . Or to read Scriptural accounts of what went down on that first Sunday of the Resurrection. Even when we rebel against God, he comes running to us with mercy and forgiveness as the father runs to forgive his son (Luke 15:20). In Colossians 3:16, the apostle Paul says that this should characterize the tenor of our time with other Christians. Christianity needs to be less institutional/organization/sales oriented and more organic, natural, and real-life oriented. Some answer: because God gives me blessings, and so I need Him to remain blessed and prosperous. I was one of those very-literal atheists who didn't comprehend that the bible was written by and for ancient men who lacked the understanding and concepts we have today, and they were trying to explain very difficult subjects based on visions. This is most likely after a long period of illness. We don’t want to do anything that might cause doubt in the future. C.S. Most people come into a knowledge of God through a relationship with a Christian. That means a part of Jesus will always be with us, so if we're ever in trouble, scared, or need someone to talk to He will always be there. 8. How Would You Answer Someone Accusing Christianity Of Exclusivism? The freedom we experience in Christ gives birth to lasting joy and … I knew her life well. No human however is perfect (Romans 3:23). Search: How To Respond to Hearing Voices. That’s my perspective…at least at this stage in my journey. The pupils Until our everyday habits are disrupted, we don’t realize how complex a process it is. Is There Meaning to Life? Furthermore, He was resurrected, proving that not even death could … Black Lives Matter activists cornered a woman at a restaurant in Washington D.C. this week because she wouldn’t raise her fist in solidarity with their chants that “white silence is violence.”. Some forums can only be seen by registered members. 1. Now, in a reprise… The Bible claims Christianity is the one true religion, but can we confirm that through other means? We want sin portrayed, first of all, as an insult to God, as the de-godding of God, as the erection of other gods as a form of selfishness. Can you explain the concept of death and salvation in Christianity. We may be coping with our own grief around the same time we’re attempting to explain death to our children. Written by Writer’s Corps member Aditi Nair For some people, love can be used to describe almost anything. Tags. Why not make your own list? When talking about your spiritual journey, try to be humble and careful not to sound as if you are superior in some way. Having experienced the transforming power of the Holy Spirit through the understanding and application of God’s word, there is always a contagious desire to share that with others. The origin of Christianity … Preliminary demographic data about the 2020 electorate has started rolling in. HOW TO EXPLAIN THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY TRINITY? Similarly one may ask, how did Augustine influence Christianity? OMG, I love this iced latte! Also, when someone comments on why a question of yours is off-topic, pay attention to their reasons! Here’s how it works: The person that makes the claim bears the burden of proof. They dream big dreams, pray big prayers, worship with their whole body, and create with inspiration. Finally, explain to your children that many people have changed their hearts on the issue of abortion, including women and men who have procured them and even abortionists themselves! And to think that we don’t owe him is already betrayal. But you need to listen to know that." God will work on their hearts, and if … You might reply: “I don’t hate homosexuals, but I can’t approve of their conduct.”. I personally believe if he confessed those doubts out loud to someone… She was caring, kind, and very intelligent. Technically words like god, prayer, sermon etc. ≈ 15 Comments. True Christianity will testify that almost everything that almost everyone does is evil. It's easier to convince someone who doesn't require facts. Other people don't like purgatory. If the accuser is intelligent enough to understand these 3 steps and their essence. A compromised defence of Christianity. The Existence of Christianity. In our Rapid Response series, we tackle common concerns about (and objections to) the Christian worldview by providing short, conversational responses. Christianity is about what God has already DONE to provide us the opportunity to be right with Him. Many believe they have converted to Christianity, but is that the case? If someone asked you how you know Christianity is true, how would you answer them? Explain to the pupils that they are to examine each of the 6 major world religions. 5. I think it’s wrong when someone cuts in line; it’s wrong when someone bucks a system; it’s wrong when systems don’t do what they’re supposed to—the list goes on and on. 2. Having Sex Before Marriage Makes You Damaged Goods. Most Christians have difficulty explaining Christianity to a non-believer, particularly to someone who comes from an unchurched background. He adapted Classical thought to Christian teaching and created a powerful theological system of lasting influence.He also shaped the practice of biblical exegesis and helped lay the foundation for much of medieval and modern Christian thought. The creation, the human mind and spirit, the moral law, beauty, religion, experience, history, the church, the Bible, and Jesus. The Bible teaches that repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ is the only path to salvation and eternal life. Jump directly to the Content Who We Are God became man, lived a perfect life, and died the death that we deserved. Christianity says all we need to do is BELIEVE that Christ has already paid the price for the evil we have done. Explain that Jesus loves all of us and wants us to be happy. In summary, to get over someone, it will take time, but time alone does not heal wounds. One of the simplest ways of explaining the mystery of the Trinity is that reportedly given by St Spyridon of Trimithund at the Council of Nicaea (AD 325). I go to someone else that I think knows better than me. City-Data Forum > General Forums > Religion and Spirituality > Christianity: How to explain this? Below I'll comment on how some of your questions could be improved. Rather his only recourse way to try to explain them away by some new theory. Like myself, as a pre Christian, most non-believers have a distorted view of God. Of is he talking about our works determining in part our salvation? Explaining the Holy Trinity of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit will be needed at some point when explaining the God of the Bible to children, Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses and other non-believers. It’s not Christianity, which is a relationship with a person. He is God in flesh (John 1:1, 14; Col. 2:9), physically risen from the dead, Lord (Luke 24:34; John 2:19-21) and Savior (Acts 5:30-32). "In this book I have tried to explain the triumph of Christianity without making it a triumphalist narrative," he writes. The first approach to world religions may be classified as universalism. OK, let me try to be as neutral as possible here: “The Supreme Being who created the entire universe (including the Earth and all life on it) has a special love for humanity in particular and wants us all to live with him (as spirits) in eternal happiness after we die. Religion says you must EARN your salvation by doing good deeds or certain acts and not doing evil. They have never learned how to begin a conversation about Christ, how to explain the gospel simply and clearly, and how to lead a person to make a decision to receive Christ by faith. Remember: If you’re guided by the Bible’s moral code, then that is your lifestyle choice, and you have a right to it. Sitting in a tearoom in a shopping centre (not big enough to be a mall), I noticed an emergency exit with the notice, ‘This door is alarmed’, and began to wonder why a door should be worried. This sweater is amazing, I love it. 1. The fact that Christianity started and grew is also evidence for the resurrection. A loving Christian is someone who seeks to present that truth. Have this talk with someone where there is mutual trust, or at least no antagonism. Scene from the film Dear White People Roadside Attractions. If you start talking about the wonders of heaven and the horrors of hell, you could run into an easy convert. Christianity began with only a few different evangelistic approaches, but over the years, many different forms of evangelism have been employed by various groups to spread their faith. Someone once told me that although it might be a huge issue for me, other people probably won't notice or care. “With the pandemic, there is a lot we do not understand,” University of Texas psychology professor Dr. Arthur Markman said. Your practices may seem important to you but be open and accepting of other practices and points of view. Remember, always be prepared to have an answer for the hope that is within you! Some of them even fight against abortion similar to the way that St. Paul, who used to murder Christians, went on to become one of the greatest Christians of all time. Written by Writer’s Corps member Aditi Nair For some people, love can be used to describe almost anything. Tim Staples gives a crash course in Trinitarian theology for beginners, using one analogy to illustrate the idea of multiple relations in one being and another analogy to explain multiple beings with one nature. DONATE: https://give.catholic.com/castudiosSUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/catholiccomWEBSITE: https://www.catholic.com/Tim Staples gives a … 5. According to tradition, when asked how it is that Three can simultaneously be One, St Spyridon responded by taking up a brick and squeezing it. Review of Confronting Christianity: 12 hard questions for the world’s largest religion by Rebecca McLaughlin Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois, 2019. But don’t rule them out. But then I met someone who caused me to become interested in the possibility of God. Christianity is about what God has already DONE to provide us the opportunity to be right with Him. A: No matter how hard we try or how many arguments we present, ultimately only God can persuade a person that the Gospel is true. Jesus is the most important figure in all of human history. She talked about God like he was her closest friend. by Niyinficient(m): 11:06pm On Jan 25, 2016; Hello guys, it's the beginning of the year and as expected different churches begin the year with various Fasting and prayer timetable. You just … But how you choose to react when people take jabs at Christianity is profoundly important. She was caring, kind, and very intelligent. True Christianity will be controversial and cause divisions (Luke 12: 51,52). It all has do with American culture. Posted by 1sparrow in Hearing Voices. Here is a simple and Biblical way to explain the Trinity. Could someone explain belief to me? It's meant to say that much of our struggle is internal. This has each of the major world religions on. in order to ensure my trainee didn’t miss anything. Avoid being confrontational by challenging someone else’s beliefs. As far as I can tell, as of now, there is only one real argument against Christianity and that comes from Zoroastrianism. Explain Lewis’ metaphor of the halls and the rooms and his purpose of his book. Ps: this is my own belief and I would love to be corrected by the more knowledgeable folks here. 7. The burden lies directly at the hands of those who want to destroy Christianity, and even Jesus offers a challenge to those opposed to the Christian worldview, when speaking about the Church, by saying, " the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18)." According to a recent survey, 94% of all copies ordered from our professionals will be delivered before the deadline. The more I searched, the more I learned; I realized that Judaism is true, not Christianity. At heart, this is the most missions-minded question I've seen in a long time! Is God loving if he sends people to hell who never heard the gospel? Simply put, a Christian is a follower of Jesus. Based on 1 Peter 1:17, are there levels of reward in heaven? 2 years ago, before I was into religion at all I was baffled by this simple question from a non Christian "What is the trinity?" The Jewish community cannot turn such Jews away, although rabbis may have different requirements for their reentry depending on denominational ideology and understandings of Jewish law. How can you convince someone to believe in Jesus when they don't think the Bible is true? Then explain that God can legally justify you in His sight by the payment of your sins that He Himself paid by manifesting Himself as the man Jesus of Nazareth. However, some humans lack the ability to make moral decisions. Experience Lasting Joy & Peace. In layman terms, Christianity as a religion started when the disciples of Jesus started spreading his teachings around the world. I held this belief for years, not expecting it to ever change. Someone might object that the capacity to make moral decisions, not the image of God, anchors human equality. If I believe someone is earning boatloads of money unethically, I ruminate on how it’s not right, and wish I could do something to stop it. I held this belief for years, not expecting it to ever change. Explain to the kids that there is a difference between God and their parents. And that's how I tried to live my life. It was never going to read like a science book as that would have no hope of reaching everybody. Just defend Christianity the best you can, and remember that conversion is ultimately God's job, not yours. These posts are designed to model what our answers might look like in a one-on-one setting, while talking to a friend or family member. If we can’t explain why something terrible happened, we don’t know how to prevent it from happening again, which makes it even more frightening. Someone has just abducted and killed your daughter or son; Your husband has been physically abusing you for years in your marriage; Some scam artist has just stolen all of your life’s savings; You have just found out that your spouse has been cheating on you; All of the above scenarios are torpedo shots that can knock anyone of us straight to the ground. Find a good therapist (ask for recommendations). Nobody wants to be identified as someone who is biased or opinionated. We must accept the truths found in the Word of God by faith even though we ourselves cannot comprehend them fully; read Hebrews 11:1, 3, 6 and 1 Corinthians 2:5-10, 14; 13:12. So he argued that Jesus must have had an unknown, identical twin brother who was separated from him at birth, and who showed up in Jerusalem at the time of the crucifixion, stole Jesus’s body, and then showed himself to the disciples, leading them to mistakenly infer that Jesus rose from the dead. The only real reason to become a Christian, or as some say, to convert to Christianity, is because you believe with all of your heart that God exists, that his Word—the Bible—is true, and that Jesus Christ is who he says he is: "I am the way and the truth and the life." I always wanted to learn how to read Hebrew and understand the faith of Jesus. Your response can set the tone for meaningful conversation and increase your influence—or it can close the door to dialogue about faith. This will show them two things: 1) that you respect them, and are not abandoning them, 2) that you are mature and well thought out. 5. How the Church and I will endeavor to explain and evaluate these four approaches below, concluding with the approach I believe best adheres with biblical Christianity. When someone starts sharing their concerns with you, it’s easy to say, “I know how you feel,” and then launch into a story about one of your own experiences. That's His standard and His requirement to be with Him forever. If the potential convert isn't going to ask questions, it's going to be easier to explain Christianity to him. To cause these divisions major change would have to occur in someone's life which would upset others. So get to know them and let them get to know you. Recap on the previous lasso. Tolerance is an admirable virtue in many circumstances, but tolerating wrong by refusing to say it's wrong is in itself wrong. Explore. This piece will focused on how Technology can be used to explain or support the Bible truth- I'll try to make it a loaded but very short piece. But there is another legitimate possibility to explain the behavior of those who leave the faith—in another of Jesus’ parables. In fact, however, the idea of an old earth had already become increasingly popular among Christians throughout the half century leading up to The Origin of Species. How to Explain Black Lives Matter to White People. How to Teach Anything to Anyone Since you can't possibly do it all yourself, you'll need to teach other people how. For couples in long-term relationships, love means loyalty and commitment but for college students in the center of their first real relationship, love may feel messy and complicated. But make no mistake…all … Begin with the Bible’s storyline that God made us. If you can’t afford one, a safe, wise friend who can help you see clearly. Toward the end of his life he confessed he wasn't sure anymore and thought there might be a Lord because decades of scientific work had begun to show there had to be a God. 1. 1. Does your congregation struggle to explain Christianity? Religion says you must EARN your salvation by doing good deeds or certain acts and not doing evil. Heaven is a wonderful place God has made for us to live with Him. He said, Let the word of C… By understanding them you can tailor your presentation of the gospel to pick them up from where thay are at and lead them to Christ. You can be 26, single and ready to mingle, and it’ll all be okay. Some that I've left out already have good comments on them that explain exactly why they were closed. Then he became an atheist. He was crucified on our behalf, a substitute for us, and a covering, or atonement, for our sins. She was convinced he deeply loved her. And that to be saved,they just need to trust Jesus when He says to believe in Him. OMG, I love this iced latte! Your Christian belief is not just wishful thinking or the latest fad, but it is meaningful and makes sense. This lie is especially dangerous for survivors of sexual abuse. — … 1 Peter 3v15; Then we can explain the theology, if people want to know. But my … How Can I Explain the Trinity to Someone Unfamiliar with Christianity? The Holy Spirit is one of God’s most wonderful gifts. In other words, if someone offers a point of view, it’s their job to give reasons for it, not your job to defend against it. Universalism proposes that all religions are more or less equal, with no one religion able to claim supremacy. Let me illustrate. According to a recent survey, 94% of all copies ordered from our professionals will be delivered before the deadline. Explain that God is not an impersonal entity, but is a loving, perfect, and just God who cares for His people. I knew her life well. You may not think your few words make a difference or having any meaning. When someone questions your faith, you don’t have to hit a home run; you just have to step up to the plate. Offer your physical presence. Friendship is hard. Even though I am no longer a Christian, the book, "Pagan Christianity" which was written by two evangelical Christians, George Barna and Frank Viola, had a strong influence on me in that caused me to see how many of the traditions of institutional churches are completely man-made, and not even Biblical, if someone is using the Bible as their authority, which I'm sure you claim to do. There is no getting around the fact that Christianity has its “mysterious” side. It could be that those who seem to fall away are undergoing a prodigal-type experience (see Luke 15:11–32). Here are some suggestions for responding when someone criticizes your faith: Don't get defensive. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all … Or to visit the tomb for yourself and note that it does not contain the relics of Jesus Christ. The Bible explains how to become a Christian in very simple terms: Realize that everyone has sinned and can not live up to God's standard of holiness. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.". "The Lord has sovereignly placed us in the families we are in," says Vince Johnson, a Cru staff member. How does Christianity Relate to Literature? 8/16/16 11:44AM. Most of the struggle is against our own expectations of success or unworthiness, not other people. Put yourself in your atheist friends' position. How to Explain to Your Kids Why Social Justice Warriors Hate Christians So Much. Although 85.6 percent of American adults say they were raised as Christians, more than a fifth of that group (19.2 percent of all U.S. adults), no longer identify with Christianity. And as post- modern thinking has become more dominant in our culture and academe, it has opened the door for business ethicists to explore alternative worldviews, like Christianity, to explain the nature of reality, knowledge, and morality.