I am still being stimulated. The comments to my last post are continuing to cause me to think. I know there are a variety of people out there that have different beliefs than us, but what is our responsibility in "the discussion"? If someone is "clearly in the wrong" based on our Christian belief, what should our reaction be? Do we point out their "error" and condemn them or do we keep the avenues of communication open?
As Christians it is easy for us to say that the Jews are wrong or the Muslims are wrong. On the flip side of the coin, they can say the same about Christians. If this is our attitude, then communication shuts down and what about evangelism? If you encounter an atheist and they say your wrong and you say they are wrong, then evangelism is not going to happen. Evangelism begins with relationships. Even though we may believe the other person is "wrong" we still have a Christian responsibility to love and honor them by listening and keeping avenues of communication open. By doing this we are not validating their belief but rather we are honoring them as a child of God.
Keep an open mind and be patient, but also remember to pray. We cannot engage this difficult task of evangelism on our own. Transformation happens through the Holy Spirit.
On a personal note: I am super excited about heading to my parent’s home today. My sister and brother-in-law will be home with my 2 1/2 year old niece, Meara. I haven’t been home for a couple months so this will be a fun and happy homecoming.
Take care and God bless. -edh-
The Heart of a Pastor 
Eric
Happy Homecoming, Family can be both a bain and blessing in the same moment. 🙂 hope you enjoy !
Your asking “””but what is our responsibility in “the discussion”? If someone is “clearly in the wrong” based on our Christian belief, what should our reaction be? Do we point out their “error” and condemn them or do we keep the avenues of communication open?”””
Gee I love to debate, Maybe I should have been a Lawyer instead of a carpenter. Your question is a stumbling block to way to many Lutheran Ministers. They want to prostrate themselves to anybody that comes along.
First of all I believe this—–> Always preach the gospel and only use words when all else fails.
As Muslims, Atheists or non churched who see your joy in working for the Lord they can become Christianized. They may think ” I want some of that ”
Sadly this doesn’t work with Ministers everyone expects them to be saints, for little money.
I Know Muslims are wrong, But I defend there worship, I defend them as people, We are called to love our neighbor.
As for Jews. God Bless them! Imagine a new religion taking our Bible and blaspheming it?
We Christians must drive orthodox Jews crazy.
We are Jews, at least grafted onto the Branch of Jesse, I really believe that there contract with God is still in Play.
I also believe that Jesus only came for the Jews, so that they would disperse as a race leave there homeland behind and assimilate other country’s into the Jewish faith.
But they valued there lands over there God. and so a few thousand Jews did leave and evangelize and we are the result of that.
We are Jews for Jesus 🙂
God bless Eric and thank for putting up with the ramblings of a unschooled carpenter from northern Michigan.
“Always preach the Gospel and only use words when all else fails”. That is one of my favorites quotes by St. Francis of Assisi. The Gospel is meant to be proclaimed through our actions. Words are one thing but if our actions do not reflect our words, then all is lost. Therefore I agree that the best way to engage in evangelism with people who believe differently from us is to live our faith and hopefully they will “want some of that”. But also, this form of evangelism keeps lines of communication open.
I am glad to hear that you love and respect your “neighbor”. Too many people claim to be Christian but don’t like people. That kind of life just blows me away.
Anyway, Thank you for your “ramblings” and take care in Northern Michigan. So far I am having a great time with my family.
P.S. My dad is a carpenter of sorts. He still has his car dealership but is slowing moving out of that and doing more woodworking and cabnet making.