Love is Evangelistic

As you may have read in my blog two posts ago- I am reading a book or was- called the Language of God by Francis Collins. It was a good book in some senses. I enjoyed the first part of the book - which was largely a recap of a lot of stuff by C.S. Lewis on Moral Law. It really made me have another look at what I believe about how God created the universe. Was it created directly by God? As Creation Science or Intelligent Design Theory claims? Or Was it Theistic Evolution; God created the laws of the universe including "evolution" and therefore we basically evolved under the guidance and foreknowledge of God?!! I subscribe more to the former than the latter theory, even after reading the book- but it has got me thinking- re-examining what I believe.

Nevertheless the greater lesson about all of this happened not from the book itself but came about as I read over the reviews about the book on Amazon.com. There were 96 reviews. I wanted to know what other Christians had thought about information in the book- I ended up learning something more valuable.

There were basically 3 standard reactions to the book.

1. There were many reviews which praised the book; at last science and faith can co-exist without demanding an exclusive relationship! All but one of the probably 50 reviews were by Christians who were praising the book and saying- this book is for the Athiest and the Scientist- almost as if we had found a "silver bullet" by which to defeat those who oppose us. (Love?)

Obviously most Christians who had reviewed the book did not read how most Athiests and Scientists who read the same book responded to it! Most were disappointed by the Title of the Book, and were unimpressed, to put it mildly, with the arguments for belief in God. They found the arguments put forth not scientific, nor convincing.
(I found it really intriquing that they would read the book to begin with- they must have been at partly interested to find the truth- on some level anyway.)

The third but less popular reaction to the book was by Christians who believe in Creationism who criticised and attacked the book. One such review was by a Christian, I am ashamed to write what one individual titled his review- it was an attack on Francis Collins. ( By a fellow believer.)I am not convinced it was written in love.

I was struck by a few facts about this encounter with the reactions to the book.

One reviewer from New Jersey shed light, and gave me words to what I was noticing- the Chrisians were praising the book as it confirmed their beliefs. The Athiests were condemning it because it did not line up with their own. Most read books not really looking for new information but to confirm their own beliefs. I was a bit awestruck by the Athiests comments as I thought the arguements put forth by Collins at least on Moral Law were quite convincing. It was a real eye opener to see that Athiests- who it was intended to challenge (except for maybe one response on the last page of reviews) pulled it apart easily.

What I found in myself, as I read the apologetics, was a satisfaction that my point of view is valid. I therefore assumed that others who don't know God through Christ yet, would respond in the same way. I was surprised when they did not.

This took me on a reflective and contemplative journey. Are apologetics useless? There will always be a counter point from the opposite side- another way to view events in question. Well I don't believe that apologetics are useless... however...

So far what I have come up with at the end of all this is: LOVE. I often, like many Christians, want to come up with a "silver bullet" which would convince everyone that they should believe in God. The one arguement that would silence any opposition. ( I don't believe this will ever be found- as it would then no longer be faith!) It would be so reasuring and we could fire off that reasoning to anyone. We would have the power to fire it... and bang.

What I started to realize again is that it is not going to work like that. Winning the world- or being a light for Christ is not to come up with perfect answers, but to LOVE. Let me try to explain what I mean. It is amazing when I go to highschools for lunch. Many young people at a few schools in the area know that I am a Youth Pastor and to them I represent Religion. Most of them don't have any interest in Religion (to put it mildly). Yet as I take the time to be interested in them- (not preaching at them or judging them) but sincerely wanting to get to know them - (and doing my best to love them) over time they respond. Intelectually they are absolutely convinced that they don't want anything I am selling. Yet it is amazing to see how people respond to LOVE- genuine caring, interested - yet not overbearing, having a sense of humor, and a deep side of caring- LOVE.

We are Ambassadors of Christ. God is making his appeal through us! More than what I say- how I say it is equally important. Never mind science- Love will speak the language of God- to the heart. The brain is not the chief organ where faith is based or born- sure we have to understand what we believe - but Faith is not merely a reasonable thing to do- I believe it is also a heart encounter.

Therefore :Love ought to be the distinguishing feature of every Christian- whether we "win" or "lose" and arguement- LOVE people. Jesus said: They will know we are Christians by our Love.