Ok, what say you all, do you think Christians should be open to the ideas of people they are trying to "convert," or are most set in stone with what they think and believe. I personally believe that most Christians when evangelising will put up a barrier against all other beliefs, most in an appropriate way, with a connection still being made, but some make it impossible to connect with the people they are trying to save.

Just trying to stir up some conversation. All opinions are welcome.

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* Eagles may soar, but weasels aren't sucked in jet engines.

Just wanted to remind about the most important.

Matthew 13:10-17

2 Corinthians 3:12-18

Ephesians 4:17-32

Ephesians 5:3-20

Hebrews 3:7-19

2 Timothy 4:1-5

Titus 1:10-16

2 Peter 1

I hope this study helps; I enjoyed it.

God bless

[edit: error in URL]

[This message has been edited by nfektious (edited March 30, 2005).]

HOWEVER, the term "hypocrit" is a greek compound word..hypo and critical. Obviously most people know what "critical means" and hypo means "under". I was originaly surprised to learn that the word hypocrit literaly means "under critical". Most people think of hypocrits as being too critical.
The point is that hypocrit's are under critical, because they criticize other people and other views, but they don't criticize themselves and their own views.

Further more, it is easy to disect opposing view points and find flaws. This is a basic debate skill that anyone can learn with a little logical training. ANY belief or view point can be torn apart by a skeptic. If you want to legitimately understand a view point, and thus be able to credibly talk to the people who hold that view point, you have to look at the view point from the perspective of understanding as a believer would... not the perspective of trying to find weaknesses and points of attack.

This does not mean that you should allow yourself to be tossed too and fro by every new idea that comes your way. I just means you should consider things reasonable and honestly. Consider that you don't know everything, and can very possibly be wrong. This also does not mean that you have to constantly be indecisive or uncommitted to a belief.

In my time I've questioned most of my beliefs, I've considered many opposing beliefs.. and after doing so, as honestly as I've been able, I've come to some conclusions. Some things I am set on and my mind is no longer "open" on those issues because my decision is made. Being open doesn't mean you never make a decision.

On the other side again. If we are unable to consider new ideas, and ideas that even contradict our own beliefs, we can never learn. This is a huge trap that many christians fall in to. They are presented with a certain doctrinal view point by their pastor, parents etc, and they will defend that doctrinal view point to the death, never considering the possability that any other view point could be correct.. but only looking at other view points witht he mind set of how to defeat them in argument. This kind of attitude stops us from seeking truth.

Sometimes, knowing what you don't know is as important as knowing what you do know.

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-- All that is gold does not glitter,
Deep roots are not touched by the frost,
The old that is strong does not wither,
Not all those who wander are lost.

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* Eagles may soar, but weasels aren't sucked in jet engines.

If someone comes to you with the scripture (see nfektious' post 0=) we should be open to hear what they see in the scripture. If someone is using the scripture to make a point, we should be open to what the Bible says. Its also important that we look at everything that the Bible says concerning a topic, since scriptures can be taken out of context, and some scriptures can be interpretted in many different ways.

I agree with simon_templar that the post modernistic view of having an open mind is very dangerous. We have to remember that there is one truth, and we can't all be right. It seems that so often the post modernistic view puts people in a static state. Because they are satisfied with their truth, they are no longer seeking. Because they believe that those around them each can hold a different truth, they are no longer reaching out to others.

We must never stop seeking the one truth. Not only should we be stirring up those around us by pointing them to new passages which shed light on what they believe, we should also constantly be seeking new light from His word ourselves so that our understanding may be increased.

I am greatly encouraged by the stirring up which I am receiving here on CCN by my brothers and sisters. Thank you!

But noo, they can't deal with the evidence, they keep insisting that somehow I can't reject other views, even if they are contradictary.

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"The very idea of freedom presupposes some objective moral law which overarches rulers and ruled alike." -- C. S. Lewis (1898 - 1963), "The Poison of Subjectivism" (from Christian Reflections; p. 108)

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