I am sorely tempted to add a sub-heading to this post that reads “…who cares?”

In the last few weeks, whilst doing some research on the Net, I have come across an incredible number of submissions from people claiming to be Christians, arguing over their Christianity with [apparent] non believers, and even with other Christians.  This behaviour extends from the evolution debate to heavy involvement in politics ¹ and everything in between.  Honestly – I am tired of reading it.

Jesus said  ”If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”².  I think some Christians seem to take this as a licence to be as outrageous and offensive as they like, then retreating under the banner of being hated for Christ’s sake.  Come on now folks – when will we stop trying to defend God and just get on with what he has told us to do?;  that is – love.  I guess some people would say ‘It’s because I love that person that I am trying to convince them of their “error”‘.  Sometimes the best convincing comes not from what we say, but what we do.  After all, people are probably more likely to watch how you actually live and contrast that with how you say you live.  The old adage of “actions speaking louder than words” has some merit in my view.

I don’t believe it’s helpful to enter  into senseless debates about issues of faith, or that require faith – that is, amongst believers, or with non-believers.  Are there calls for distinction at times?  Yes, I believe so – for the “weightier” matters.  However even the weighty matters can cause much time wasting and angst when debated with people who view the preaching of the cross as absurdity ³.

The answer to this in my life is to refrain from debate as much as possible, love others as best I can, fearfully review my own salvation ⁴.