Many claim to want to ask questions of Christians or have a rational discussion, but that isn't really what they want at all.

Date:   4/15/2007 12:02:29 PM ( 17 y ago)

Many of us can relate to a scenario like this: We say something about our beliefs, a "former Christian" comes along to "ask questions", we politely answer the first round, and the next thing we know we're being pelted with rage and mockery. What went wrong?

The answer is that dialogue or enlightenment was never their intention in the first place. The initial "questions" are bait, and we fall for it all the time. And if, being aware of this, we interrupt their plans by demanding to know their motives, they cry about being the victim of an inquisition. No matter what we say, how we say it, or how much evidence we have on our side, they will reject it all and launch into a looooooong and vitriolic rant against God, his Word, and his people.

And that was the goal all along. It's the rule, not the exception, and we therefore have every right to be suspicious of anyone who claims to just "have some questions". If the lost were truly open-minded and looking for truth, they wouldn't have such a bad reputation. They have only themselves to blame for having their motives questioned, and they cannot whine when we do so. Those who whine anyway should not be given the time of day or they'll just keep harassing us.

So unless you have endless hours to waste beating a dead horse, always demand that the person trying to talk to you really wants to talk, not simply vent. The first thing we should always do is explain why we need to ask, then stick to it. If the person objects to even being asked, walk away. The genuine seeker will not be hostile or dump reams of material from Christian-hating sites. If such people brush off the army of scholars who have thoroughly researched the Bible as being fools or idiots, there's no chance they'll listen to us either.

We are "salt" and "light" and our job is to make the truth known to the best of our ability. We must not let ourselves be sidetracked from this mission by people who are filled with hate and bitterness and are only looking for victims.
 

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