Trackback: http://huiothesian.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/darwin-fish-and-happy-holidays/

I once saw a bumper sticker that said, “Honk if you ARE Jesus.” I confess, I laughed.

What a great article, and one that clearly resonates with so many, myself included!

Like another commenter has said, this is my first visit to your site, but won’t be my last!

I am coming to believe that true “boldness” in proclaiming Christ comes far more from the outward manifestation of biblical mind-renewal that the Holy Spirit gives us as He illuminates Scripture to us, than it does from t-shirts and stickers. Not to point at the adornments as being bad in and of themselves - but I have a hunch that most commonly they are a counterfeit and shallow expression of boldness, often emphasizing a particular attribute of God to the exclusion of others, and often even conveying unbiblical views of God.

Per your title - I’m more apt to honk in approval of a justifiable barb aimed at the caricature of Christianity that so many people see - because that’s what we show them. It should be called out. I might even applaud between honks! However, my hope would be to sit down with them and talk about the significant differences between the Jesus who is, and the one we present publicly.

For this reason, I struggle far more when I see a pro-Christian message on a bumper than when I see an anti-Christian one. It’s a lofty thing, as it were, to claim to represent Christ “in passing”………and requires much, much less of us than representing him “in person”.

I think you nailed it with this;

“…we defend the gospel; not ourselves.”

Our confidence shall lie in Christ! Amen, Dr. Moore!

With my confidence in Christ, my identity is there as well. I don’t always get offended with attacks that are designed to get “people like me angry.” I do, however, get angry when I see the truth mishandled, abused and molested. Jesus showed considerable anger when he said;

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Jesus’ words in this statement are more than harsh and when you consider to whom he said them to; Israllites, the bloodline of Abraham - a chosen nation He had set aside for Himself. It’s not wrong to have anger as long as it’s righteous anger. It’s righteous anger when the things that make you angry are the very same things that would anger God. I’m not saying for us to be furious with non-believers and rebuke them from street corners but I am saying that when you have a heart after God, the things that angers Him are the very things that anger you as well.

You are right, we should pray for the people that anger us out of their indignation that they have towards our Heavenly Father for we once had the same enmity towards our Lord. You do realize, however, that this means we should be praying for the wicked of the wicked, don’t you? Who really would have had a heart to pray for Hitler? How many of us have prayed for Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden or that pedophile that lives down the street from us?

Just some things to consider for your edification.

May it all be for His glory,
Wade

Wonderful question & great passage to reference!

I think you hit the nail on the head when you asked about leaving it to the Holy Spirit. I think that is exactly what we should do. After all, we never save anyone, we are only the messengers.

I attended a service once where the minister passed out a hand out with some verses and an outline. He said for us to memorize this handout. He said that he had saved a number of people with his method. He is also, however, and unfortunately sadly mistaken. If they were saved, it is because God gave them grace & they believed the gospel. When the Corinthians were bragging about their faith, I am of Paul & I am of Apollos, for example, Paul tells them that they (he & Appollos) are merely men. Paul says that he planted, Appollos watered but God made it grow. This is our role, we plant and or water and someone else may come along and do the alternative but God will make it grow according to His will. Irrespective of what we have, Paul tells us not to boast and asks us what do we have that we didn’t receive and if we received it, then what are we bragging about?

Continue to be faithful to God & His word.

God bless you in your efforts,
Wade

In a Jan. 6, 2011 column published by The Christian Post, the president of your seminary, R. Albert Mohler, Jr., similarly addressed the issue: “There is nothing so short-sighted and unhelpful as Christian insecurity.”

I greatly appreciate your insightful self disclosure that: “My outrage …. has little to do with persuading …. my zeal is motivated (because) … I consider it to be an attack on me.”

Our emotions, like rage, are great windows in to the condition of our souls, and when rightly understood can lead us humbly to the Cross.

Thanks for your post and your honesty.

The goblin in the closet analogy is great! I think I will try and remember that the next time I’m confronted with someone’s spiritual blindness.

Bart, now THAT’S funny!

A Grateful Packers’ Fan,
WesInTex

I greatly appreciate your reminder of the importance of God’s command to love others. Romans 13:8-10 comes to mind; “love fulfills the law”. Anyway, thanks for reminding me that my enemy is not the unbeliever who has no choice in how he “sees” truth, but the father of lies.

Bubba replied, “Did you see who it was?”

The young man answered, “I couldn’t tell, but I got his license number.”

My spiritual gift is the development of other people’s patience.

Good reminder of something that’s too easily forgotten.