Feedback on article in local paper

[Julie]

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2007/October/20/style/stories/01style.htm

Do you read this as an attack on apologetics? That's how I understood it. I would like to see if I'm way off base on this. :bigthink:

The writer, Don Miller, says he is a believer, but his poor exegetical skills seem blatant to me when he discusses 1 Peter 3.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[Joe S]

I thought this part was off the wall;


But in the next breath, the apostle urges the brethren to do so "with gentleness and reverence" In other words, a person's life and spiritual posture is the true witness.

Say huh? So I guess Peter was saying, "be ready to make a defense, but don't make one. Let your love light shine!"

For the rest, I kept waiting for him to make a point. He writes like a politician.
He wants to say Christianity is undefendable, but he never comes out with it.

[Julie]

Thanks, Joe. That was the impression i got as well.

[Tallen]

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2007/October/20/style/stories/01style.htm

Do you read this as an attack on apologetics? That's how I understood it. I would like to see if I'm way off base on this. :bigthink:

The writer, Don Miller, says he is a believer, but his poor exegetical skills seem blatant to me when he discusses 1 Peter 3.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Julie, while I thought his idea of the Apostle Peter was somewhat weak, he should read 2 Peter and see the Apostle is not afraid to confront false teachers head-on and without mixed words. I thought the overall article was ok, he rightly identifies the Gospel message as a powerful means that brings folks to faith and a part of the kingdom of God.

I didn't think that part of his message lacked much. :bigthink:

[Julie]

Thanks, Tallen.

It's painful to me to see so much of modern Christianity voiced in public, as in that article. Essentially saying we should shaddap, not use words, and limit our witness to our lives and relationships. That's not what I see happening in the book of Acts.

[Tallen]

Thanks, Tallen.

It's painful to me to see so much of modern Christianity voiced in public, as in that article. Essentially saying we should shaddap, not use words, and limit our witness to our lives and relationships. That's not what I see happening in the book of Acts.

Well..., I kind of got something else out of it. I thought he was saying, perhaps I am mistaken, that God uses the simple things like our personal witness with the Gospel message to confound those who come against Christ. In other words, the simple faith of the common Christian witnesses against the arrogant atheists.

Did I miss something?

[Julie]

It could be I was the one not seeing that in his article. That's why I posted for others' feedback here. I appreciate the feedback. Yes, God uses the foolish to confound the wise. Thankfully, I'm just one of those foolish that I pray God uses to confound the wise.

Yes, our lives should exemplify holy living -- don't get me wrong. I'm not an antinomian. But I certainly am not fully sanctified. We do need to use words. Someone had to tell me the gospel. How about you?

[Tallen]

It could be I was the one not seeing that in his article. That's why I posted for others' feedback here. I appreciate the feedback. Yes, God uses the foolish to confound the wise. Thankfully, I'm just one of those foolish that I pray God uses to confound the wise.

Yes, our lives should exemplify holy living -- don't get me wrong. I'm not an antinomian. But I certainly am not fully sanctified. We do need to use words. Someone had to tell me the gospel. How about you?

Yep, I agree. I am in the same boat as you are, a sinner for sure and greatful that God would even consider me for a second. And we do need to use words..., and maybe once in awhile this foolish person will confound the wise to. :bigtup: