Dear Christian,
I want to help Christians talk about their beliefs with others. If you've ever found your faith challenged, and you didn't know what to say, or how to say it, then you're at the perfect place. From this article you'll learn a short phrase that can help you wisely interact with challengers.
But first let's starts with a short, simple story. Imagine a professor announcing there would be a pop-quiz. Adam Allbrain is excited because he does well on tests. He remembers everything. Brooke Book is also ready for the quiz because she has been studiously studying all the recommended reading materials and has taken copious notes. Cautious Connie has diligently studied as well, but doesn't test well. Memory evaporates under pressure. And distracted Demetrio is feeling under the weather, making it difficult to listen to the lectures. So, the first two students relish the opportunity of a pop-quiz, but the latter two recoil at the announcement.
Now, being attentive in class can produce success on a test. Similarly, if we study the issues of our day and prepare ourselves to talk about them, then we will be better at speaking on behalf of Christianity. This includes reading the Bible and consulting thoughtful Chrsitian thinkers. However, like Connie, many of us forget much of what we learn, and, like Demetrio, there is much we probably haven't learned. Despite best intents, forgetfulness and ignorance seem unavoidable. What can be done? Let's look at how Demetrio handles himself.
Demetrio is nervous. The quiz is on the statement, "There is no such thing as truth." But Demetrio isn't even sure what the statement means, so he asks for clarification. And the professor responds by saying that "no such thing as truth" means that everything is a mere opinion, and no opinion is superior to others. This sounds so odd to Demetrio that he asks the professor why he thought the "no such thing as truth" statement was valid. The professor said that those who claimed they had truth were ignorant and arrogant.
Sensing an opportunity to delay the quiz, Connie joins in on the conversation. She realizes the "no such thing as truth" view contradicts Reality. "Is it true, professor," she queries, "that you have a quiz printed for us?"
She also notices that the professor was saying there was "no such thing as truth" as if the statement was true! She asks how one could make truth claims and claim there's no truth. The statement contradicts Itself.
Another student notices that the "no truth" statement contradicts Other statements made by the professor. Take, for example, the claim that there was much to learn in class that day. But, wonders the student, how can there be a lot to learn in class if nothing learned in class is true?
Extreme Ernie decides to join. "What if we threw you and the test out the window? Is it true that you'd probably fall?" He was merely giving the professor's claim a Test drive.
Demetrio wants to point out the professor's view was Short on support- it has not been proven. However, thanks to Extreme Ernie, campus security is now on the scene, and the conversation is on hold! Ernie earns himself an early break from class, for good.
"Is it true, professor," she queries, "that you are a professor?"
Demetrio was not ready for the quiz.
As expected, Demetrio becomes more frightened when told the quiz must be completed quickly. Here's how the dialogue continued:
Professor: This quiz will be on the statement, "There is no such thing as truth." Questions must be answered quickly.
Demetrio: Professor, can we take a break?
Professor: Yes, after you're done with the test.
Demetrio, trying to slow time down: Professor, when you say, "There is no such thing as truth," what do you mean?
Professor: There is no such thing as truth."
[Classroom erupts with laugher]
Demetrio: I heard you say that the first time, but I'm still unclear what you mean. Maybe you can say it another way?"
I want to help Christians talk about their beliefs with others. If you've ever found your faith challenged, and you didn't know what to say, or how to say it, then you're at the perfect place. From this article you'll learn a short phrase that can help you wisely interact with challengers.
But first let's starts with a short, simple story. Imagine a professor announcing there would be a pop-quiz. Adam Allbrain is excited because he does well on tests. He remembers everything. Brooke Book is also ready for the quiz because she has been studiously studying all the recommended reading materials and has taken copious notes. Cautious Connie has diligently studied as well, but doesn't test well. Memory evaporates under pressure. And distracted Demetrio is feeling under the weather, making it difficult to listen to the lectures. So, the first two students relish the opportunity of a pop-quiz, but the latter two recoil at the announcement.
Now, being attentive in class can produce success on a test. Similarly, if we study the issues of our day and prepare ourselves to talk about them, then we will be better at speaking on behalf of Christianity. This includes reading the Bible and consulting thoughtful Chrsitian thinkers. However, like Connie, many of us forget much of what we learn, and, like Demetrio, there is much we probably haven't learned. Despite best intents, forgetfulness and ignorance seem unavoidable. What can be done? Let's look at how Demetrio handles himself.
Demetrio is nervous. The quiz is on the statement, "There is no such thing as truth." But Demetrio isn't even sure what the statement means, so he asks for clarification. And the professor responds by saying that "no such thing as truth" means that everything is a mere opinion, and no opinion is superior to others. This sounds so odd to Demetrio that he asks the professor why he thought the "no such thing as truth" statement was valid. The professor said that those who claimed they had truth were ignorant and arrogant.
Sensing an opportunity to delay the quiz, Connie joins in on the conversation. She realizes the "no such thing as truth" view contradicts Reality. "Is it true, professor," she queries, "that you have a quiz printed for us?"
She also notices that the professor was saying there was "no such thing as truth" as if the statement was true! She asks how one could make truth claims and claim there's no truth. The statement contradicts Itself.
Another student notices that the "no truth" statement contradicts Other statements made by the professor. Take, for example, the claim that there was much to learn in class that day. But, wonders the student, how can there be a lot to learn in class if nothing learned in class is true?
Extreme Ernie decides to join. "What if we threw you and the test out the window? Is it true that you'd probably fall?" He was merely giving the professor's claim a Test drive.
Demetrio wants to point out the professor's view was Short on support- it has not been proven. However, thanks to Extreme Ernie, campus security is now on the scene, and the conversation is on hold! Ernie earns himself an early break from class, for good.
"Is it true, professor," she queries, "that you are a professor?"
Demetrio was not ready for the quiz.
As expected, Demetrio becomes more frightened when told the quiz must be completed quickly. Here's how the dialogue continued:
Professor: This quiz will be on the statement, "There is no such thing as truth." Questions must be answered quickly.
Demetrio: Professor, can we take a break?
Professor: Yes, after you're done with the test.
Demetrio, trying to slow time down: Professor, when you say, "There is no such thing as truth," what do you mean?
Professor: There is no such thing as truth."
[Classroom erupts with laugher]
Demetrio: I heard you say that the first time, but I'm still unclear what you mean. Maybe you can say it another way?"
