The Answer

In the culture surrounding you, the very idea of love has been twisted and corrupted. Where do you go to find true, perfect love? The bible is a great starting point. After all, it's impossible to read the gospels and not encounter Jesus' all encompassing message of love. But the love of Christ in God isn't found solely in the gospels. It's a thread that courses throughout scripture, weaving its way from Genesis to Revelation. Over the next six weeks you will come face-to-face with the most foundational element in a Christian's life. Namely, GOD'S LOVE.

Letters From A Skeptic: The Invitation

The Invitation: To Dad, with Hope


March 10, 1989

Dear Dad:

I trust all is well with you and Jeanne down there in sunny Florida. Aside from a little flu-bug hanging around our house, we are weathering the final - very prolonged - stages of the Minnesota winter pretty well. But will spring ever come?

Here's something that might interest you. Yesterday I was invited by the Islamic Center of Minnesota to publicly debate a very well-known Islamic scholar on the subject of the Trinity at the University of Minnesota. Perhaps against my better judgment, I agreed. This man is a professional debater whose academic credentials are almost encyclopedic! I'm a bit intimidated, but also excited, about the opportunity. It will occur April 13th.

This (sort of) leads me to the main point of my letter. As you know, I teach apologetics here at Bethel. Apologetics is the study of defending the Christian faith against objections which non-Christians have and of presenting positive reasons for the truthfulness of the Christian faith. As academic matters go, it is my first love. My debate with the Muslim scholar in April will be an exercise in apologetics.

What you don't know, because I've never told you, is that I have you to thank for getting me into this field. I want to thank you for this. When I first became a Christian some 14 years ago, you were legitimately concerned that I had gotten myself involved in some sort of mindless cult. (It turns out you weren't very far from wrong at the time!) So you continually challenged my faith with questions and objections. I didn't much appreciate it at the time, but I certainly do now and I love you for it. You forced me to think seriously and critically, about what I believed and why I believed it. You got me into apologetics.

After about a year, however, our discussions about Christianity came to a halt. Your concern lessened, I think, as my Christianity became more mature and less "cultic" and narrow-minded. On several occasions since then I have raised up the issue of Christianity in a general sort of way with you, but we've never really pursued the matter in much depth. And this brings me to the point of this present letter.

Dad, I would really love to enter into a in-depth dialogue with you about why I have continued to be a Christian for the last 14 years. This isn't only, or even primarily, because I love apologetics. It is mainly because I love you. No one can blame another person for wanting to share something which is most valuable to them with another person whom they love, and that is what I'd like to do with you. My faith in Jesus Christ, my experience of His saving power and love, is the single most precious thing in the world to me - and I really believe it is the most precious thing any human being on this earth can have. I also believe that a relationship with Christ is the most important thing a person can have since it has, in my view, eternal consequences.

It struck me as odd and wrong that I spend so much time discussing Christianity with others when I have not discussed it in-depth with my own father; whose care and concern got me into this field int he first place! you're 0 years old now, and frankly, I think it's about time that I began this discussion. It also just seems right, as a part of our father/son relationship, that we be open with one another about our worldviews.

Now I know you, Dad, so I know that my "preaching at you" would do absolutely no good. (I tried that the first year I was a Christian, remember?) Believe me, I have no inclination to do that. What I'd rather propose to you is to engage in an ongoing discussion about Christianity. I'd like to give you an opportunity to share with me all the reasons you have for not being a Christian, and I'd like you to give me the opportunity to share with you all the reasons why I am one.

Would you be willing to do this? I think, at the very least, it would be stimulating for both of us, and we'd get to know each other better. Having one's faith challenged - whatever faith one holds - is always a good thing. If it can't "stand the fire," a faith isn't worth holding - whether it is Christianity or atheism. So, in love, let's challenge one another. What do you say?

Sincerely yours, with hope,

Greg

DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS? Would you consider yourself a Christ-follower?

Because you're reading this, you probably answered "yes" to the above questions.

So let's assume you believe in Jesus and that you are serious about following Him. If that's a safe assumption, it's probably also safe to assume that your life is decidedly different from the lives of those around you. After all, as a follower of Christ you're identified with Him in you actions and words . . . right? Its probably also safe to assume that you never miss an opportunity to talk about the difference Christ has made in you life. And that you never miss the chance to boldly defend God and His plan for the world. Right?

If you find yourself thinking that your life doesn't exactly match up with that last paragraph, you're not alone. Too often, we let opportunities to speak about Christ pass us by. Too often we hesitate to obey God's call on our lives.

Why do you think Christ-followers sometimes hesitate to take a stand for Him? What are the obstacles that stand in their way?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How does living boldly for Christ show those around you that you are 100% sure of God and His call on your life? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What does being timid about Christ say to the world about whether or not you really believe God and the promise He has made through Scripture? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

God has called you to be part of His mission. If you accept His call and live your life accordingly, you are saying to God that you believe Him and His promises. If you constantly turn away from God's call, you are communicating to Him and to others that God is not trustworthy. You are saying that you do not trust His promises.

Don't be fearful or timid. Be certain of your faith. Be sure of God's Word. Live your life boldly on mission for Him.

"Causes" 2009 Van Ride (Revolution)

"NEXT" Youth Convention 2010

PennDel Youth Convention 2010 - "NEXT" from nicholas palomo on Vimeo.

Day 3: Faithfulness at a Great Cost

Revelation 2:1-7

We don't know exactly what the Nicolaitans believed, but it was obviously a false teaching. God commended the Ephesians for testing their teachers. Instead of blindly believing everything they heard, they checked to see if what was being taught was in accordance with Scripture. If it wasn't, then they refused to listen. We should trust those God puts in authority over us, but we have to be sure we're trusting the Word of God, not just the words of humans. Of course in order to do that, we need to know what the Word says.

Are you studying the Word so you'd be ale to spot even a minor false teaching if you heard it?

Day 2: Faithfulness at a great cost

2 Timothy 4:1-5

Everyone likes to be told they're right; it's flattering, and it makes us feel smart. On the other hand, people don't like to be told they're wrong; it makes them feel awkward and uncomfortable. This has always been true, even for members of the early Church.

Sometime God will use people to tell us thing that are hard to hear--things that cause us to recognize we're not acting as we should. Instead of running from such teaching (or dismissing it as wrong), we need to be open to it. If we don't, then we'll leave ourselves vulnerable to false teachers who tell us exactly what we want to hear. No one is right 100 percent of the time (not even you), so never assume you don't need someone to challenge you now and then.

How do you respond when you hear difficult things that convict you?

Ask God to show you if you have the same problem these church people did.