Many preachers, however sincere and knowledgeable, fail to get the message of the gospels through. Always have done. From being absolutely boring to far too fire and brimstone, they just do not engage people. I can see how non-believers are put off completely when someone drones on or even worse, seems to be giving everyone a very severe telling off! In churches everywhere the sheer piousness and superior strutting around of those who run the place is guaranteed to deter anyone new from entering at all.
Then the arguers, those Christians who argue points of scripture to the point of downright nastiness. Not exactly very inviting to anyone. The Bible is for everyone to read and discuss, that is what brings the greatest book to life. So why act like you are a great authority on it?
On television some preachers are frankly a pure menace, they turn it all into a ridiculous farce, chattering nonsense and glorifying themselves. Who cares about their smug 'journey'. It's painful to watch. Even I as a committed Christian am fed up of hearing sanctimonious criticism and warnings of terrible fates that await those who refuse to convert to Christianity. Each man's soul and eternity is after all, his own business.
What we need is quality teaching, to bring to life the beauty of the message of the good news of Jesus.
What then can be done? Perhaps just talk to people without overwhelming them with argument? Answer their questions, point them in the right direction.
Then the arguers, those Christians who argue points of scripture to the point of downright nastiness. Not exactly very inviting to anyone. The Bible is for everyone to read and discuss, that is what brings the greatest book to life. So why act like you are a great authority on it?
On television some preachers are frankly a pure menace, they turn it all into a ridiculous farce, chattering nonsense and glorifying themselves. Who cares about their smug 'journey'. It's painful to watch. Even I as a committed Christian am fed up of hearing sanctimonious criticism and warnings of terrible fates that await those who refuse to convert to Christianity. Each man's soul and eternity is after all, his own business.
What we need is quality teaching, to bring to life the beauty of the message of the good news of Jesus.
What then can be done? Perhaps just talk to people without overwhelming them with argument? Answer their questions, point them in the right direction.
- 3
- 1
- 1
- Show all