Anyways, after that it was off to Frankston for Mr. Digger's party on the Frankston foreshore. Twas quite a nice area, and I enjoyed Digger's 2nd Annual Bocce Invitational. When I went for a walk with K, we came upon some Christians loudly preaching on a box and handing out novelty things. I'm not sure exactly what denomination they were, apparently Fundamentalist, but I don't know what that means. They gave us one of those million dollar notes that said:
The million-dollar question: Will you go to heaven? Here's a quick test. Have you ever told a lie, stolen anything, or used God's name in vain? Have you looked with lust? Which is adultery of the heart in God's eyes. Will you be guilty on Judgment Day? If you have done those things, God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer-at-heart. The Bible warns that if you are guilty, you will end up in Hell. That's not God's will. He sent His Son to suffer and die on the cross for you. Jesus took your punishment upon Himself: "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Then He rose from the dead and defated death. Please, repent (turn from your sin) today and trust in Jesus, and God will grant you everlasting life. Then read your Bible daily and obey it.
I don't think I like this. Have not completely worked it out, but I will post once I do.
'Million dollar' note... So does Christianity undeniably support Ned Kelly? Just wondering.
There was also a 'Smart Card' that had one of those things where you put your thumb on it and it changes colour. Well this one started red, and supposedly turned green if you were a 'good person'. The catch is... it never turns green, because the back of the card goes on to say:
Sorry... you're just like the rest of us. The dictionary says "good" is to be "morally excellent." Let's check the standard, the Ten Commandments, to see how far we fall short: Is God first in your life? Do you love Him with "heart, mind, soul and strength?" Have you made a god to suit yourself? Have you used His name in vain? Have you kept the Sabbath day holy? Have you always honoured your parents? Have you hated anyone, and therefore committed murder in your heart? Have you looked with lust and therefore committed adultery in your heart? Have you lied (including "fibs"), stolen (the value is irrelevant, includes downloading movies and burning CDs), or coveted other people's possessions? If you are honest, you know you will be guilty on the Day of Judgement. God however, doesn't want you to be sent to Hell. Jesus Christ suffered and died on the Cross, so you could go free. That's how much God loves you. We broke God's Law, but Jesus paid our fine. Then He rose from the grave and defeated death. If you repent (be sorry to God that you've violated His Law, and turn away from your sin) and trust in Jesus, God will forgive your sins and grant you everlasting life. Read your Bible daily (start with the chapter called John).
Dislike. So if you're not a Christian, you're not a good person, or at least on your way to being one? Rubbish, I know plenty of people who are better people than lots of Christians. Besides that, this sort of thing, designed to scare me into believing in God, makes me want to turn away from it. And I already believe. Irritated at it, but need to find out more and think about it more before I can post more.
I also dislike. Not a big fan of the whole telling people they're bad or going to hell bit. Grrar
ReplyDeleteI struggle immensely with 90% of the Christian evangalism that I see going on in the world. It mostly gives Christianity a bad name. If I was not a christian, and I read that million dollar note message, I would laugh, and think Christians were losers. I know it says stuff that I believe in, but they put it out there in such a bad way.
ReplyDeleteI do not hide from the fact that I'm a Christian, or, at least, I try my hardest not to. I am comfortable talking about it with others, e.g. my friends at school, but I noticed that when I was showing off that I had a million dollar note in my wallet to them, I was embarrased to let them read the message on it, because it is so not the soprt of message that I think is appropriate. I then had tyo further explain to them that I didn't like what they had written on the back of it.
Also, with the smartcard, it says to read your bible everyday, starting with John, to become a betetr person. Bad bad bad bad bad! I hate that. First of all, non-Christians reading the bible, just reading it, will most liekly detract them, in my opinion. And secondly, the way they stated (not suggested) that you have to start with John makes me angry, because it's making it seem like the bible is NOT open for interpretation or, but its meaning and content is set in stone, and needs to be viewed in a single way.
In essence, I am just rambling, and what I'm saying, as usual when I write comments, probably doesn't make sense. And this comment is probably taking up way too much room on this blog. But I had to show that I, too, quite dislike what these two items are putting accross to the world. But Really, should I be getting angry about it? No. Which frusterates me more. Somehow. For isn't it better to light one candle, than to curse the darkness?
I think I don't need to express my disdain for this model of evangelism. So un Jesus like.
ReplyDeleteIf it wasn't my birthday I would have gone up and debated him, been wanting to do that for a while. Should be fun!
Em: I'd like to meet the people that do this sort of thing, love to know where they're coming from.
ReplyDeleteJono: Yeh about the John thing, I agree. There is no set way to begin or approach Christianity, it's not like one formula gets you in to Heaven. Exploration is much better than schedule.
Digs: You'd better be prepared if you're going to challenge them. They probably know Bible stuff a whole lot better than you. Isn't that part of the critic against them, how set they are in their Biblical knowledge and interpretation?
Also, evangelism used to scare me. Hearing people like Mark at Veta made me angry. But I had the opportunity to speak to some of the teens kids at the Heard, about my life, my beliefs, all that, and that was awesome. I felt alive. That's my kind of evangelism, and from your Youth Chaplaincy at schools, I think it's yours too.
Hi Ben. This also makes me angry. Especially the bit that says
ReplyDelete"God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer-at-heart."
Because that is absolute rubbish. (note my lack of swearing and obscene insults) We're learning about evangelism and Biblical interpretation at YITS and it's making me very angry when people say things like this. It makes people believe that this is what all Christians are like and I hope that I will never go around telling people that God sees them as nothing but sinners. God loves us and sees everything. the good and the bad. He has saved us and will continue to save us from all that is evil. Our reading the Bible and following all the rules is completely useless if we're not working towards a greater cause. How is this form of evangelism (fear tactics) going to help anything?
OK. Angry rant over. Thank you for listening.
Wow - Just found this old post. I was wondering if any of the posters or orignial author have been borng again since this was written?
ReplyDeletewww.fleebabylon.com