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Replying to a hateful post

StealthCJDB

Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2012
Messages
20
My friends are polytheists or at least something along the line and like the majority of the world can't stand Christianity because of our public view, each time I get the chance of saying something to them I get angry, but I still want to say something
their latest post says this
"Jesus was a homeless Palestinian anarchist who held protests at oppressive churches, advocated for universal health care and redistribution of wealth, before being arrested for terrorism, tortured and executed for crimes against the state, now go ahead and explain to me why he’d vote conservative. I’ll wait.i’m sorry that’s just the best sentence i’ve ever read
Canon Jesus is so much cooler than American Jesus."
i believe that I must reply in love, and if I can't do so I don't say anything. This time I will ask and it seems God lead me here
 
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

Greetings @StealthCJDB

The world will always try to bait Christians looking to accuse and twist facts.

Thinking of your situation....do you really need to reply to this person?

Could you just reply with a simple yet powerful Bible verse.....something that comes form the word of God rather than from you.
Perhaps a simple statement , for example:

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
1 John 5:20


Remember the dear Lord held His peace when men were scoffing Him (Mark 15)

He answered nothing
Mark 15:3

Seek the Lord for wisdom and He will lead you in what or what not to answer.

Bless you
 
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Also Proverbs 15:1 comes to mind. Do wish I could think of that more often when I want to "spout off". :smiley:
 
My friends are polytheists or at least something along the line and like the majority of the world can't stand Christianity because of our public view, each time I get the chance of saying something to them I get angry, but I still want to say something
their latest post says this
"Jesus was a homeless Palestinian anarchist who held protests at oppressive churches"

Jesus lived the life of a wondering prophet, although so much more than a prophet. Prophets of the Lord were honored and many people would provide them food and shelter in return for the wisdom He shared, and the blessings received by the Lord, called the "prophets reward", those who helped a prophet would be blessed in some way.

, advocated for universal health care and redistribution of wealth

He did not advocate the government provided health care, He encouraged individuals to help others out of their own blessed lives. He never said he trusted leaders (like the govt), but did say we should obey authorities and pay the taxes requested, for the govt to provide "order and peace.

, before being arrested for terrorism, tortured and executed for crimes against the state,

All true. Admit the truth to others, even if it weakens any argument you have planned. The truth is always worth agreeing to.

now go ahead and explain to me why he’d vote conservative. I’ll wait.i’m sorry that’s just the best sentence i’ve ever read
Canon Jesus is so much cooler than American Jesus."

I would say yes, the Canon Jesus is so much cooler than the prosperity Jesus found in much of America, from many in both political parties. But there is always a remnant of believers who read and live ALL of what Jesus taught, not just what they want to pick out that works best for them. Are you willing to live all of what Jesus taught, versus only what you wish to promote?

i believe that I must reply in love, and if I can't do so I don't say anything. This time I will ask and it seems God lead me here

As Fragrant Grace said, you need to pray about it, asking God to help you and not look for a specific argument ahead of time to "beat" him at his own game, and thats what it is to that person, a game, a political game that if you play, you will lose, or get a draw at best. Instead, use the situation to share the real Jesus, and why "YOU" came to love Him.
 
Hi @SteathCJDB.

Yes, silence would be better than an answer that lacks love. I agree with a lot of the advice above, so won't repeat it.

Try to think out clearly what you are arguing about.

If you have a different understanding of Jesus, who he was and what his ministry on earth was all about - then it's certainly a great opportunity to talk. If these are good friends, then it might be good to set out your own position in debate. Make it clear to your friends that this is deeply personal to you. Say that Jesus is more than a historical character or an inspiration to you - more like a brother. So if you insult him, I'll find it difficult not to take it personally.

But maybe this is an argument about politics and the person of Jesus is being used as a stick to beat your political views. I would question what good might come of such a debate if it's a win/lose thing. More open questions such as, whose political views in the gospel stories match up most closely with your own (essenes, pharisees, zealots, herodians, pilates) can be a bit more successful. Especially when you get around to thinking about how Jesus responded to them.

Two more things. The message that you pasted didn't sound hateful to me. It's provocative, and the picture of Jesus it offers is cartoonish. But there is enough truth in it to use it as a starting point for a conversation about Jesus.

Second, you don't have to win the argument, you only have to witness to Christ Jesus.

Please let us know how you get on.
 
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@StealthCJDB

Dear brother.

Well. It’s always interesting, sad, and because of our Love for the Lord, it can also make one angry dealing with the communication you've mentioned. Hard to accept misinterpretation, deception, and wrong historical data to talk about the “Love of our Life who is our Life” Jesus Christ.

Normally, an Apologist who has studied long and hard, are able to disprove, and as the definition of the name suggests; “Defend the Faith” in communication that refutes these types of blatant misrepresentations. Unless you have the calling to be such, getting into a back and forth argument with a non-believer is usually fruitless. (2 Timothy 2:3 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.)

The liberal/conservative argument is also fruitless. The only choice one has is either to believe or not. Interesting part would be if they believe in a Monarchy. For that is what we believe in! We have the King of Kings, Lord of Lord as our Savior!!!! I'd be curious how they'd take that! No positions taken, no I'll go along with Him on this, but not on that other subject. Sorry, there's no voting required or needed in the kingdom! His will be done all the time!

You should realize by now that the world will always find a way to not acknowledge our Lord and Savior, and will definitely never honor Him as God, much less as the one true God!
So what one attempts to do is to reply with that which communicates His Love, which we do by presenting the Gospel while still answering their questions. This is difficult to do, but not impossible when you are guided by the Holy Spirit. It takes time. The tendency is to reply immediately to this type of posting, when patience, prayer, study and carefully guided words are needed.
If your desire is to continue in this type of debate forum, with non-believers. The desire for you should be not to just answer them in order to refute what they are saying, but to answer them in a way that will also provide you a method by which you can communicate the Gospel in love to those who do not know him. For ultimately what you want them to read and have touch their hearts is the Holy Spirit through the Gospel you communicate!

However, go into this with eyes wide open. Remember, like Satan, his children will twist everything to suit their point of view and take the Word of God out of context. One can easily see this by Satan's use of the Word of God when tempting Jesus in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:1-10) That is why great care needs to be taken in this type of discussion. All you have to do is one slip and even though you write a book, they will find the one sentence to say it's all false. They are not seekers of truth, but purveyors of lies and deceits. What says Isaiah 5:20 "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

These type of people are in sore trouble and don't realize it! There in is the sadness.

So communicating the Gospel while still answering their questions can be trying, but you have the perfect guide!!!!! Sometimes their own words provide the way. Let's see if I can provide an example.

They said: "Jesus was a homeless Palestinian anarchist."

Answer: Now Matthew 8:19-20 says Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." 20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." We know that Jesus did lay down at different times. So many assume that this must mean a permanent residence, which it does not. Why can one say this? Notice his answer in John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. His residence is not nor was it ever here. Just like those who believe that Jesus as the Son of God died on the Cross for the sins of the world, and in His confirming resurrection. Places the believer (me being one) with Him. That we too are currently without a home at this time, but in the knowledge that one awaits the believer in Jesus Christ as their Savior when death finally comes to us.

What you are able to do is turn their miss-statement to a biblical truth and provide them with a bit of the Gospel at the same time! You might even find other passages that also support what is being said.

Notice brother that sometimes the answer is longer than the question!

Now if you desire to continue along this line of communication. You can go ahead and answer the second part which is the lineage of Jesus. How about using Matthew 1:1-16. So Palestinian he was not. Then Anarchist? Not. How about the Son of God! Include the fact that the Jews believed he believed this and that is why they sought his death, in which they eventually succeeded in doing. Use the Lord's own words. Look to the word to back up what you're saying. Start typing, then go over it again, and again, and again, until when you read it back, you will know that you've removed any communication that can be seen as being hurtful, or negative. Rather try to make it instructional. Ultimately, it will always come back to Jesus and the love He has for them as shown by His death on the cross!

2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

There is much more that could be written, but others here have covered the main areas of concern. Others might just add more. I hope the little (not) I have written has been of some benefit to you in some small way. Regardless of the direction you should choose to follow, just always be prepared to answer anyone who asks you; why you believe what you believe!

Keep in mind that these same people are in an unsaved position that we all have been in. If you can remember that these same people unless they believe Jesus Christ and repent of their ways, have an eternity that we desire none to go through. You will with tears in your eyes put the very love that saved you, into the words that may at worst plant a seed that may yet be watered and grow into a Saving Grace for that lost soul.

With love and prayers dear brother.
C4E
 
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My friends are polytheists or at least something along the line and like the majority of the world can't stand Christianity because of our public view, each time I get the chance of saying something to them I get angry, but I still want to say something
their latest post says this
"Jesus was a homeless Palestinian anarchist who held protests at oppressive churches, advocated for universal health care and redistribution of wealth, before being arrested for terrorism, tortured and executed for crimes against the state, now go ahead and explain to me why he’d vote conservative. I’ll wait.i’m sorry that’s just the best sentence i’ve ever read
Canon Jesus is so much cooler than American Jesus."
i believe that I must reply in love, and if I can't do so I don't say anything. This time I will ask and it seems God lead me here

Grace and Peace,
I would ask them to gather the bible verses to go with each claim. As mentioned before debating is not about winning. In all my debates I've learned 2 things,

1. A real debate can only take place when each opponent approach the argument acknowledging they do not know everything ( should be open to listen to the other person without any bias, in hope to learn something new about yourself and the other person, in doing so you will be equipping yourself for future conversations)

2. Never claim to know the truth or error if you yourself did not research it. There's a saying, " A lie told often enough becomes the truth," therefore if you're repeating something your pastor said, parents said without testing it, what grounds have you to claim that it is true ? Before you dismiss someone, you should also research what they are saying, no matter how insane it sounds, even if the people around told you it's false. Why? You need to understand why something is in error, not through google search first 5 links, but reading old text, history books, ethnography, anthropology, go to the library etc.

You're friends will respect the time you took in doing your research when next you speak, and you would remove yourself from the stereotype of the " ignorant christian,"

Don't get mad, also whats so offensive about Jesus not being a conservative? He wears no earthly labels we created to divide. Jesus in the bible is the same Jesus today, who would change water into wine ( some churches call sin), probably sit in the company of muslims ( some churches would criticize Him for associating with sinners), an atheist washing His feet with her tears, and He'd probably walk into some mega churches, christian charity groups, flipping tables.

The Disciples Eat with Sinners
Mark 2:15–17; Luke 5:29–32
10 gNow it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: j‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”


Jesus was no Conservative, he pushed envelops and made people think and question their traditions.
In verse 13 he told them," go learn what this means."

In any debate, be prepared to learn what everything means. Some people are against using books outside the bible, but I've learned that these historical text confirm stories in the bible and gave me a better understanding of the people and culture.
 
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