I’ve spent some time reflecting on the debate that has taken place following my reflections on Monday’s Q&A debate.
First of all, I didn’t write this post with the intention of converting atheists (I can hear the atheists saying – “well in that case you were very successful!”). This audience for Communicate Jesus is primarily Christians, although atheists (and those of any other faith – don’t take the bait!) are welcome here any time.
Secondly, I’d like to thank all who participated in this debate for doing it in good spirits, without resulting to death threats, foul language and a general hatred for the other. I’ve seen some ugly debates where neither atheists or Christians have acted in a way that would make either atheism or Christianity seem an attractive option for someone looking in on the conversation. Thanks for keeping the debate in good spirits.
However (and thirdly), I’m far from convinced of the value of having these discussions online. There’s a couple of reasons for this -
- The participants have different amounts of time, allowing some to write long responses, others to write shorter responses. The problem comes when the person who wrote the longer response thinks k that the person who wrote the shorter is avoiding the questions! You don’t get to you talk, I listen, I talk you listen conversational style that is necessary for these types of conversations.
- It’s easy to forget that we are all people, and it’s easy to slip into treating one another in a way that we certainly wouldn’t do face to face.
- So much of our communication is non-verbal, and for a topic that is so personal, a conversation that is missing so many of these non-verbal cues (tone, facial expression, etc) is prone to misunderstanding and potentially, hurting those who read. No one wants that.
Fourthly, I’m yet to see much value in these debates. The points raised are never new, the arguments are circular and they never go anywhere. They’re also of interest to a very limited pool of people.
In short, my conclusion is that the nature of the medium makes these conversations nigh on impossible, and highly unfruitful. So I’ve decided not to publish any more atheist/Christian-related comments on that post.
Amidst a lot of debate about morality, evolution, other religions, objective and subjective truth, the age of the earth, how God acts in the Old Testament and more, I’d like you to know this one thing: meeting Jesus changed my life.
As I read about Jesus in the Bible I see a man who is like no other. I see a man with authority over all creation – wind, waves, demons, disease, death – none are a match for Jesus. I see a man who treats all people as they should be treated. I see a man who rebukes the proud, but has compassion on the people who are meek, weak and down-trodden. I see a man who practices what he preaches. I see a man who explains how we ought to relate to God and each other. A man who explains that love is about getting your hands dirty. I see a man whose teaching amazed the crowds, but infuriated the religious leaders. I see a man who said “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full”. And for all his perfect living and teaching, he was nailed to a cross to suffer the most agonizing death humans could concoct.
And three days later, he rose again.
And the Bible tells me that Jesus wasn’t just any man. Jesus was the son of God. It’s the only conclusion I can come to when I examine his life. And the Bible tells me that this life, death and resurrection were God’s means of providing forgiveness for me, and for you, and for anyone else who will believe it to be true. And boy, do I need forgiveness. I haven’t acknowledge God as God. I haven’t lived rightly under his rule. I haven’t given him the glory he deserves. I haven’t loved others as I’ve loved myself. I know me better than anyone else, and I can tell you – I’m deserving of God’s wrath.
But God doesn’t treat me as I deserve. He is merciful and shows me grace. He sent his son to die in my place. God raised his son from the dead to prove that I too will rise up from the dead – death shall not be the end.
This may sound like a foolish message to you. Richard Dawkins thinks it’s foolish that God would send his son to die on a cross for the sins of the world – but the truth is, this foolish message is my salvation and gives me unspeakable joy.
This message can be your joy and salvation too.
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(Title image attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thehappyrobot/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
