Abraham nails my thoughts on the Virginia Tech situation:
While others are already making the Virginia Tech massacre a political issue and looking vehemently for someone to blame, let us remember that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17:9).
Our hearts and the murderer’s.
No x-ray machines, revised gun laws, or fired college presidents will solve the problem. We need new hearts (Ezekiel 11:19, John 3:3). We need Jesus.
Comments 2
So, whats an appropriate response to the idea that people will go to their belief system of choice for refuge? I mean how do i respectfully and winsomely engage people with the gospel during such a horrific time as this that their ‘belief system of choice’ is in fact a security blanket at best and at worst a lie cloaked in warm fuzzies? And whats more is that people probably have similar attitudes about the world view that I share as well. “Whatever helps you get through it” says our culture.
I guess i see this mainly in the media and not in human interaction in general. I’m probably not articulating as best as I should. Does this make sense?
Posted 18 Apr 2007 at 10:44 pm ¶Excellent point!! I strongly agree with Abraham’s words, also!! And with the scriptures he quotes & references!!
In answer to TJ’s question, if I understand him correctly… my humble opinion is: Yes, the secular world’s view of “belief system of choice for refuge” during tragedy would surely be something like “whatever gets you through it” — but only as long as that “whatever” or “belief system” is ANYTHING BUT a new heart!! No doubt they wouldn’t even grasp what “need a new heart” truly means. And I think that is the whole point. And so that is why I thing the words & thoughts that Jason is quoting from Abraham would be a GREAT starting point to respectfully engage them on. (In fact, that would challenge many who call themselves Christians!) Also, when stated the way Abraham (& the bible) does, its humble because its self-inclusive: ALL our hearts are deceitful; We ALL need new hearts. If someone agreed that we need a new heart, but they have a different strong religious view, I think that would still be a great point to respectfully engage them on. Ask them what exactly it means to them & how does one go about getting a new heart, etc. The difference in how a person from any religion or world view would answer those questions & how a Christian would is worth respectfully pointing out for their consideration (because, of course, the differences ultimately point to Jesus on the cross & his resurrection).
Posted 19 Apr 2007 at 1:19 am ¶Am I making any sense? I hope I haven’t over simplified what TJ was validly questioning. Jason, you’ve been studying apologetics, what do you say?
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