ABC Nightline
In case any of you saw the Atheist/Christian debate on ABC last week, The Irish Calvinist has a good discussion happening.
The debate was organized after some words were traded between the Rational Response Squad (who is promoting the Blasphemy Challenge) and The Way of the Master promoters Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort. So it was more of a follow up discussion between two organizations rather than the typical academic debate between incredibly deep thinkers.
If you care about it, feel free to read along at The Irish Calvinist.
The Way of the Master is a particular approach to evangelism using the Ten Commandments. It’s focus on the fact that we have violated God’s Law (what we do). It’s evidence that we are sinners (who we are). At its basic presupposition, it assumes that everyone believes in the authority of the Ten Commandments, which in this post modern age, may not be true.
If you desired so, you could google it all and see some of the discussions about it. It’ll come up here from time to time, but I don’t need to spend my time on it now.
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Hey Chris,
You stated: “At its basic presupposition, it assumes that everyone believes in the authority of the Ten Commandments, which in this post modern age, may not be true.”
This is an interesting thought. It made me think, just how should we view this concept of Gods moral law?
I agree that we do live in a post modern age, where; many people are no longer governed by Biblical authority.
But are people now, not internally convicted of Gods moral law?
Or are they and they have just suppressed the truth for a lie?
Anyway, just some thoughts.
in His grace,
Dave.
Can of the Spirit of God convict people according to the law? Yes. That is the Spirit’s job to convict of sin.
I believe that people can be convicted of God’s moral law.
But, there is part of them that comes to agree it to be a source of authority, or one might say that the Spirit of God somehow convinces them of their authority.
In our post modern world, the individual considers themself the source of authority, not something external.
Paul did not refer to the law when he was at Athens, because the OT covenant history was not their source of authority.
When Stephen gave his speech, he recounted the stories of God’s people found in the OT.
If I were to present God’s moral law to a total stranger who doesn’t believe in biblical authority, does that automatically convict them, like a spell?
I feel that some evangelists treat using God’s laws as a magical logic trick to humble people. It’s not.
When i engage people in evangleism conversations, I use the Bible when its part of their world view. If not, I start with culture, and then build bridges to the Bible to show how the Bible still speaks today.
Chris,
Ahh…. I see where your going. I haven’t looked at it quite like that before, but it makes total sense. Thanks for your reply.
Question, is there a good book or link that you could recommend that would help to expand on this topic?
I’m out of the reformed camp, so my evangelism and apologetics are very “presuppositional.” in the Van Til mold.
So I always have a very strong tendency to use the Bible as my starting point.
But I do have to admit that honestly, I have run into problems in my personal evangelism experiences with this type of approach.
But with a strong understanding of a more “presuppositional” type of evangelism and apologetics, I tell myself that it is only through Gods Word that will be the main means of grace that the Holy Spirit will use.
But, coming out of the reformed camp, I now am open to other types of evangelistic and apologetical views.
Y.B.I.C,
Dave
Dave, its been several years since I read anything by Van Til, so I don’t know what his mold is.
If you’d like to submit a guest article on that, I’d be happy to consider posting it.
In terms of books, I’ll have to scan my shelf to find out which might be the best.
My view is very much shaped by my evangelism experiences in talking with people who have no reference to biblical authority. “The Bible is true because it says so” is circular reasoning to one who doesn’t agree to its authority.
When I became a Christian, I did not do so because of a Scripture based presentation — I cried out to God for a change in life. I didn’t grow up reading the Bible. It was a coaster on the table.
After I became a Christian, I started to read it, and it grew on me. I had to learn that it was authoritative. I had to discover that it was relevant today.
Dave, I tried clicking on your profile, but it doesn’t seem to be turned on.
Pastor Chris.
Sorry, I’ll try it again. If it doesn’t work, here is my url. http://www.abidinginhisgrace.com
Dave.