Reaching The Lost

Celtic D said:

But how do we do "our bit" with those that we don't necessarily fully agree with?

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On a different tack, shouldn't the lost also include those who believe differently to yourself? After all if you're party to the real truth of everything and others believe differently aren't they wrong?

uberd00b said:

On a different tack, shouldn't the lost also include those who believe differently to yourself? After all if you're party to the real truth of everything and others believe differently aren't they wrong?

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If someone is a Christian that is good enough for me, I don't care what denomination they are - denomination doesn't matter!

Speaking of converting us lost, I've often wondered in what direction the majority of the switch between unbelievers and believers is. I may be due to bias (due to my own views and the parts of the forum I frequent) but to me the majority seems to be going from believer to unbeliever. This is certainly not a scientific conclusion but it would be very ironic one.

uberd00b said:

In answer to your first question; Perhaps just ignore the differences? I think that may be difficult when people are claiming the one true Truth™ but I'm sure it's possible in most cases.

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Ignore the differences amongst Christians? Or ignore differences amongst the different religions, cults, sects and philosophies?

Ecumenism sets out to unite Christians across denominations, and although it is a movement that means well, it hasn't been overly successful in the UK.

Ignore them across religions? Well you can do that to a point, but you can't and shouldn't compromise the fundamental cornerstones of what you believe in. So for example, I wouldn't ever ignore the differences Christians have with all other religions over who Jesus claimed he was and what he did.

uberd00b said:

To your second; Converting the un-converted should be relatively easy. All that's needed are good solid honest reasons to think that what is being claimed is actually correct. This is very easy in the case of things which are actually real (I have no problem believing the capital of Jordan is Amman) but much more difficult in the cases of things which really are not. I suppose one may have to overcome people's reluctance to believe something is true which appears false.

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Ok - I agree with this, but what's it got to do with Christians and Christianity?

TemperateSeaIsland said:

Speaking of converting us lost, I've often wondered in what direction the majority of the switch between unbelievers and believers is. I may be due to bias (due to my own views and the parts of the forum I frequent) but to me the majority seems to be going from believer to unbeliever. This is certainly not a scientific conclusion but it would be very ironic one.

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...and one that is also made crystal clear in the bible with plenty of warnings.

Christians are warned against falling away - in Hebrews 5 & 6 for example, and there are warnings at the end of the book of Jude, there are warning against false teaching scattered through the NT (2 Peter 2:19, Titus 19) etc etc.

And regarding people defecting from Christian belief -I suspect you may be right but actually this may not be a bad thing in the long term as I predict there will be sharp growth again soon in the UK......

[ianb321red]
And regarding people defecting from Christian belief -I suspect you may be right but actually this may not be a bad thing in the long term as I predict there will be sharp growth again soon in the UK......

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I have heard a number of testimonies from those who were once commited Christians and have left. In some cases, they have become vehemently opposed to their former faith. I do find their de-conversion stories rather interesting because it does shed light on just how fragile faith can be. I count myself as someone who that niggling doubt at the back of my mind, which has developed over a relatively long period of time.

I'm interested in why you think there will be a sharp growth, care to elaborate

[Celtic D]If someone is a Christian that is good enough for me, I don't care what denomination they are - denomination doesn't matter!

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In terms of the bigger issues and especially in reaching the lost, I would absolutely agree with you. Having said that, the differences in terms of theology, doctrine, interpretation etc... can be huge and I do think that can and does cause a separation, that consequently does make it increasingly difficult to come together. There is a huge difference between those of us who are in the reformed camp, than those who subscribe to Catholicism. This divide means reaching the lost, as believers, has different meanings and methods. So for some, openly sharing the Gospel is a matter of standing on street corner, clutching a Bible and proclaiming loudly the Word of God at passers by. For others, it may very well be that their faith is something private and they have no interest or desire to share ( I must admit I struggle with those that hold such views), but it is what it is.

Denominations play a pivotal role in the grand scheme of things and I do believe, have contributed greatly to the divide that we see in the body

non-religious said:

I'm interested in why you think there will be a sharp growth, care to elaborate

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Based on church history...
And therefore based on a history that shows that when the church suffers it grows numerically,it gets stronger spiritually and grows in depth of faith. It also grows in depth of relationships...

ianb321red said:

Based on church history...
And therefore based on a history that shows that when the church suffers it grows numerically,it gets stronger spiritually and grows in depth of faith. It also grows in depth of relationships...

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Please substantiate this claim with references

non-religious said:

In terms of the bigger issues and especially in reaching the lost, I would absolutely agree with you. Having said that, the differences in terms of theology, doctrine, interpretation etc... can be huge and I do think that can and does cause a separation, that consequently does make it increasingly difficult to come together. There is a huge difference between those of us who are in the reformed camp, than those who subscribe to Catholicism. This divide means reaching the lost, as believers, has different meanings and methods. So for some, openly sharing the Gospel is a matter of standing on street corner, clutching a Bible and proclaiming loudly the Word of God at passers by. For others, it may very well be that their faith is something private and they have no interest or desire to share ( I must admit I struggle with those that hold such views), but it is what it is.

Denominations play a pivotal role in the grand scheme of things and I do believe, have contributed greatly to the divide that we see in the body

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There isn't or at least shouldn't be differences in the fundamentals!

TemperateSeaIsland said:

Speaking of converting us lost, I've often wondered in what direction the majority of the switch between unbelievers and believers is. I may be due to bias (due to my own views and the parts of the forum I frequent) but to me the majority seems to be going from believer to unbeliever. This is certainly not a scientific conclusion but it would be very ironic one.

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This is quite interesting actually. The following link is a talk on "reaching the lost" and claims that "..80-90% of those making a decision for Christ fall away from the faith.."

Hell's Best Kept Secret

Celtic D said:

We all have different views on subjects like women preachers, evolution and other "controvertial" topics. I do however think and hope we all agree on the greater goal - The Great Commission.

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I don't think a lot of the controversial topics have much bearing on the gospel! Surely the Christians should be united on the need to share the gospel.

lismore said:

I don't think a lot of the controversial topics have much bearing on the gospel! Surely the Christians should be united on the need to share the gospel.

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Amen to that!

lismore said:

I don't think a lot of the controversial topics have much bearing on the gospel! Surely the Christians should be united on the need to share the gospel.

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No they don't, and yes they should

brightmorningstar said:

I agree though that doctrines like angelology, soteriology, anthropology are not crucial to the gospel.

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I'm suprised that people think soteriology is not crucial to the gospel, soteriology being the doctrines pertaining to the salvation. Isn't the Gospel about salvation?

Celtic D said:

We are commanded to "go and make disciples of all nations"!

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Matthew 28:18-20 - [sup]18[/sup]And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [sup]19[/sup]Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [sup]20[/sup]teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age

There's as much in what you left out as there is in what you included

theFijian said:

Matthew 18:18-20 - [sup]18[/sup]And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [sup]19[/sup]Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [sup]20[/sup]teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age

There's as much in what you left out as there is in what you included

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tut tut - bad referencing there thefijian - in my bible that quote is in Matthew 28:18-20...

Your not reading a new world translation or something are you???

i agree with your point on soteriology btw

ianb321red said:

tut tut - bad referencing there thefijian - in my bible that quote is in Matthew 28:18-20...

Your not reading a new world translation or something are you???

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Or otherwise known as a 'typo'