Sye
"A few Muslims want to meet with me to discuss "battling atheism." This was my reply:
UPDATE: Just got his response that started with... "No problem Sir and no offense taken..."
and he still wants to meet."
Me:
Sye, I understand your conviction to stay separate from the muslims in teaming up.
However, the application of the axiom
"Since the God of Chrstianity, is the only God, I would put all those who deny him in the "not God" category"
Is leading to an inference which I think is in conflict with the scripture.
that inference being that the lost are blame worthy to a level where they don't need an explanation of the gospel.
Acts 17:18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. 19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? 20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. 21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;"
Notice 1st the infidels did not understand Paul as they thought he was speaking of "gods". 2nd Paul declares the Greeks ignorantly worship God.
Also, in John 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews."
Here the Samaritan is understood to be worshipping God though in ignorance.
The Pharisees were rebuked for spiritual blindness.
matt. 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."
2 Cor. 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. "
Conclusion: So if we live in a world where Satan blind's the world's mind, should would not all the more let the light of the gospel shine? muslims are often raised believing that their god is the God of Abraham and while there needs to be conviction of there lost estate, they also should shown the superiority of the true gospel in a demonstration of grace and the gospel.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. "
Matthew 5: 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house."
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 and how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! "
Assuming that all you have conveyed is in this letter implies that you have not delivered the gospel to these men.
It is a great honor to defend the faith my friend, but you must first make sure that faith is presented.
You have been given a great gift of notoriety and God will bring you opportunities to present the gospel that others won't receive and to whom much is given, much is expected.
I pray you are able to present the gospel to these men.
Ten bruggencate
//"that inference being that the lost are blame worthy to a level where they don't need an explanation of the gospel."//
No. You must not be familiar with what I believe or teach. They have sufficient knowledge for their condemnation, not their salvation.
//"Assuming that all you have conveyed is in this letter implies that you have not delivered the gospel to these men."//
That's right.
//"It is a great honor to defend the faith my friend, but you must first make sure that faith is presented."//
Perhaps you can show me how you engage Muslims in the proper order so I can learn.
//"I pray you are able to present the gospel to these men."//
That is indeed the plan."
Me:
" if Paul never went to Athens, would the Athenians have an excuse when they stood before God?"
Are you asserting middle knowledge? ;p
"They have sufficient knowledge for their condemnation, not their salvation"
Hence, why you should focus on giving the gospel.
"Perhaps you can show me how you engage Muslims in the proper order so I can learn."
Yeah I just did.
"FYI, just got his response that started with... "No problem Sir and no offense taken..."
and he still wants to meet."
Great! Give them the gospel :p
Me:
However, the application of the axiom
"Since the God of Chrstianity, is the only God, I would put all those who deny him in the "not God" category"
Is leading to an inference which I think is in conflict with the scripture.
that inference being that the lost are blame worthy to a level where they don't need an explanation of the gospel.
Acts 17:18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. 19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? 20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. 21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;"
Notice 1st the infidels did not understand Paul as they thought he was speaking of "gods". 2nd Paul declares the Greeks ignorantly worship God.
Also, in John 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews."
Here the Samaritan is understood to be worshipping God though in ignorance.
The Pharisees were rebuked for spiritual blindness.
matt. 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."
2 Cor. 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. "
Conclusion: So if we live in a world where Satan blind's the world's mind, should would not all the more let the light of the gospel shine? muslims are often raised believing that their god is the God of Abraham and while there needs to be conviction of there lost estate, they also should shown the superiority of the true gospel in a demonstration of grace and the gospel.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. "
Matthew 5: 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house."
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 and how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! "
Assuming that all you have conveyed is in this letter implies that you have not delivered the gospel to these men.
It is a great honor to defend the faith my friend, but you must first make sure that faith is presented.
You have been given a great gift of notoriety and God will bring you opportunities to present the gospel that others won't receive and to whom much is given, much is expected.
I pray you are able to present the gospel to these men.
Ten bruggencate
//"that inference being that the lost are blame worthy to a level where they don't need an explanation of the gospel."//
No. You must not be familiar with what I believe or teach. They have sufficient knowledge for their condemnation, not their salvation.
//"Assuming that all you have conveyed is in this letter implies that you have not delivered the gospel to these men."//
That's right.
//"It is a great honor to defend the faith my friend, but you must first make sure that faith is presented."//
Perhaps you can show me how you engage Muslims in the proper order so I can learn.
//"I pray you are able to present the gospel to these men."//
That is indeed the plan."
Me:
" if Paul never went to Athens, would the Athenians have an excuse when they stood before God?"
Are you asserting middle knowledge? ;p
"They have sufficient knowledge for their condemnation, not their salvation"
Hence, why you should focus on giving the gospel.
"Perhaps you can show me how you engage Muslims in the proper order so I can learn."
Yeah I just did.
"FYI, just got his response that started with... "No problem Sir and no offense taken..."
and he still wants to meet."
Great! Give them the gospel :p
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