I can't speak for them...maybe they don't truly understand Christianity..so, they dub their beliefs spirituality.

I believe that Jesus Christ was born, crucified and then rose again 3 days later...He is my Lord and Savior and I have no shame about that, nor any blame for those that don't quite understand it yet or aren't yet willing to accept it.

Our God is patient, understanding and loving and so shall I be.

God bless you!

I think you hit upon an important point--that they perhaps don't understand it. What a great opportunity to "lovingly intercede" as Oswald Chambers says, to share the facts about the Gospel. Then, when faced with the Truth, perhaps their hearts will be receptive to the Holy Spirit.

Thank you, Donn, for opening this subject. It is one that is close to my heart because it is something that I admit to be one of my weakest areas. I obtained a CD copy of a Focus On the Family panel discussion on this very subject, entitled "Do You Have A Christian World View?" (if you can still purchase this discussion, I highly recommend it.) The points were raised that, with some people, there are psychological barriers that deter people from seeking the truth about Jesus, such as those whose earthly fathers have abandoned them, or with whom they have terrible relationships. Relationships with parents lead directly TO, or directly AWAY from a commitment, an understanding, and a faith in Jesus Christ. Most Christians who doubt, doubt not for factual, but for emotional reasons. If we don't have something that melds the head and the heart, we don't get through.

You're absolutely right, KrisAnnF. Many people can agree to the theo-LOGICAL truths of Christianity, but the will must surrender as well--as you say, head and heart.

Donn

My family is Jewish. My parents, aunts,uncles and many cousins were teens during the second world war. They were so tainted psychologically by hearing that not only was Hitler doing his "work" out of allegiance to Chritianity, but that through history so very many Jews have been killed in the name of Yeshua. Most of them are gone already. None ever would listen to me or anyone else try to speak the Truth. Now the younger members of the family are closed to hearing the facts about our one true God and Messiah not only due to haing grown up hearing from their elders about the attrocities, (not just to Jews), but also today's political culture in America sounds a resounding "Christianity is politically incorrect" at best, and at times often portrays us as being bigots. Also, how appealing is it to make forays in to an alluring, ambigouous "spiritual" realm where no one is held accountable for "sin"? Many people simply do not believe in sin and, therefore, will not consider a God who judges and will ultimitely punish.

Those millions who will positively not hear about a punitive God will unfortuantely not be able to hear about a loving, merciful God.

Let us pray that a large portion of such people will not "have their hearts hardened".

Great post - very thought and heart provoking.

Shalom.

Marcy

Because some people see Christianity as irrelevant.

Given the way Christians have traditionally turned Christianity into legalism, and used it to support all kinds of pettiness, bigotry, or made it into nothing more than "feel-goodism," I understand their outlook even if I disagree with it.

Also, there are some people for whom Christianity is a poisoned well. They've been burned by Christians and want nothing to do with that belief, and so they use "Higher Power" or "supreme being" as non-threatening mental placeholders for the God who's been made malevolent, impotent or uncaring by people using His name.

God--being God--can work even with these small stones and use them to enlarge His place in their hearts and redeem both Himself in their hearts and then that person. In my experience, unconditional love from other people most easily gives God the widest conduit into these hurt and bitter people's lives.

Well said, Ken, and agree that the ambassadors for Christ are often the ones responsible for turning away hearts and minds. I think we've all probably seen evidence of such behaviors and actions in our own churches at one time or another. Another reason the Second Great Commandment ("love thy neighbor") is as important as it is because we all need constant reminding.

Thanks for the insight.

Donn