Philosophy, terminology, communication, and apologetics

I've recently come to believe that a great deal of the trouble we face in trying to communicate with the nonbelievers in apologetics has too do with underlying problems in communication.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't believe in God because someone played fast and loose with an analysis of the "probabilities" of a prophecy, or because someone threatened me. I believe because of direct experience of something bigger than me, which it seems to me is reasonably well described by Christianity's concept of God.

A great number of the tactics used in apologetics feel like trying to "prove" to someone that being in love is "real". The problems are similar; you're trying to communicate something about your basic experience, and it just won't survive the translation into words. If you try to speak poetically, you may be able to communicate a bit, but people will, quite rightly, observe that your words are just gibberish when taken at face value.

This, I think, is reason for the old saying (St. Francis, I think) "Preach always; use words when necessary."

Don't start by trying to convince people that there's a Magical Sky Daddy. It's like trying to teach a pig to sing; it accomplishes nothing, and annoys the pig.

Instead, work on being what Christians always claim to be; peacemakers, loving and kind, patient. Be something so rare in the world that people ask you how you do it. You can't push answers at people to questions they don't want to ask; you can, however, act in a way which leads them to ask those questions, and you can be far enough from their normal experience that they will be ready to accept that the answer might require a bit of rethinking.

This is not a "compromise". This is not "watering down" the Gospel. The Gospel has nothing to do with any proposed moral standard of behavior demanded of new converts; it has to do with understanding that God has a better way for us than what we would do without His guidance. Once people are walking on that road, they will find their way to behaviors which glorify Him, because He will lead them. But they have to follow Him. It does them no good at all to try to follow us.

Part of being a good witness involves learning to understand what the people you're talking to really believe, and what they are really like. There is little you can do to turn someone off to the faith faster than telling him what he thinks, and being wrong. Even if, with adequate study and guidance, you might be able to show that your interpretation somehow meaningfully applies, it hardly helps; you must speak to people in their language if you wish to speak to them at all.

Apologetics, I think, is not everyone's calling. Some people find it frustrating; some find it too dangerous. If it's not your thing, don't go seek it out. Just stick with answering questions for people who approach you, and work on being the best Christian you can be.

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Save me / And when you see me strut / Remind me of what left this outlaw torn
I follow Christ; therefore I am
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. I affirm the Nicene Creed.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -- Romans 8:38-39

Very good advice

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Nicely put Seebs. I really enjoyed this post.

"Don't start by trying to convince people that there's a Magical Sky Daddy. It's like trying to teach a pig to sing; it accomplishes nothing, and annoys the pig."



Bill.

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"The Earth is degenerating these days. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer mind their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." ~ Assyrian Stone Tablet, c.2800BC

Great post. I am think about making it into a stinky post. What do you think, Jeffrey?

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Christ is risen from the dead! Trampling down death by death! And on those in the tombs bestowing life!

Go for it!

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Thank you Seebs your post was the best I have seen so far. For me it sums up exactly what I look for in others and especially myself... day in and day out. It is also seems to be so rare nowadays. Be a living example, what a concept and I personally know people that are always asking what more can I do? I think I am going to print this page out and give it to them.
Debiwebi

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Er, Philip, I think you mean sticky post...I think. Hehe.

Yes, it is a good post. The myths about non-believers must be combated, otherwise apologetics really goes nowhere but has the reverse psychology type of thing. I will return to this forum and post some experiences...if I can remember to come, heh.

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* adds a reputation point to Seebs

Doh! No button

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"You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!"
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seebs writes a lot of really great stuff.

His original post is just another example of how well he can put stuff into words.

Thanks seebs!

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Qui-Gon Jenn

If you want to arrange it
This world you can change it
If we could somehow make this
Christmas thing last
By helping a neighbor
Or even a stranger
And to know who needs help
You need only just ask
-"Old City Bar" by The Trans-Siberian Orchestra

A seebs classic

I find your last paragraph rather appealing; those who cannot debate in the often times meticulous and patient presentation of the gospel -- as I, and seebs, have done a great many times (since we're now officially CF "oldsters", heheh) -- will either quit in frustration, or explode in frustration -- and the latter clearly isn't edifying for either party.

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