Truth.

So, I really wanted to stop and write a (hopefully) short blog/note about a thought/conviction that just started running through my mind.

It seems as though Christians in our increasingly pluralistic, postmodern, whatever you want to call it, society may in some ways be affected by such an environment in ways they don't realize. I don't want to talk about the obvious ramifications of that sort of culture...the ones like the scores of "Christians" who begin proclaiming that Christ is just one of many ways to heaven...but effects that are more subtle.

It's something I've noticed in the way that many Christians talk to others about their faith (and I'm guilty of it as well)...a sort of "to each his own" way of speech, in which we frequently use phrases like "I think," "I believe," "My opinion," etc. etc. Basically, expressions that almost sound doubtful and timid. It's like...we don't want to "infringe" on other's beliefs, so we share our faith like, "this is my opinion, you have your opinion...hopefully you'll come to share my opinion and everything will be peachy." We may believe, in our heads, that our opinions are true, but we don't speak like it. We don't want to infer to anyone that they're wrong and we're right (and no, I'm not suggesting anyone just come right out and say, "you're wrong, I'm right").

I think...well, I don't think...I know that there is a way for Christians to proclaim the truth...that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life...with boldness, but still in love and gentleness...without a shred of condemnation or disrespect for someone else's beliefs. Sure, people might take offense, but the gospel is not a comfortable message, and Jesus was practically in the business of offending people (though He didn't offend them for the sake of offense...it's just...truth is offensive!!). It's okay to say that something IS truth, even though the world would strongly oppose that. If we keep talking about our faith like it's just our opinion, it facilitates the mindset which I mentioned earlier...that Jesus is only one truth...and for some who may be weaker in their faith, it may even send them down that road!

Take that, Oprah!!!



P.S. This was kind of written off the cuff...feedback?