If someone has an ingrained belief, no amount of preaching and argument can change that without proof such as performing miracles. Preaching might have worked hundreds of years ago because people were just more superstitious back then, but in modern times it gets misinterpreted as arrogance and just turns people off from Christianity. And why doesn't God just help you convert everyone instead of letting you embarass yourselves and your religion?
2006-06-29 14:16:16 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Actually, I'm not saying that there should be no free will, just that you can't convert someone unless God is working through you. The apostles couldn't have accomplished their missions if they didn't have help from God.
2006-06-29 14:51:21 · update #1
'Many are called...few are chosen..' The call has to go out or the chosen ones wouldn't hear it. 'My sheep hear My voice...' It's not our job to convert ANYONE...just to call. The Holy Spirit does the rest. And then, again, 'whosoever will may come.' He really would like all who want to, to come. If you don't want to, then just ignore it. At some point He will stop trying.
2006-06-29 14:33:40 · answer #1 · answered by novalee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe the Bible encourages Christians to spread the good news. While their hearts intentions are good, it really does turn off people who just aren't interested, seems pushy and needy at times and is lost on people who have made up their minds to not believe. If you're talking about people in this forum, you're posting a religious question and should expect people of all faiths to reply. A Christian who replies to a question and cites passages in the bible isn't necessarily preaching, they are answering your question. I think you also have to see the other side of the equation and look at why do atheists and agnostics answer christian questions with quotations and scientific evidence, thereby cramming their beliefs down Christian's throats. And no amount of preaching science is going to change a steadfast Christian's mind about the existence of God and Christianity as a whole. We do it to each other because it's human nature. An overwhelming urge to get your point across and maybe, just maybe have someone say that you're right.
2006-06-29 14:35:37 · answer #2 · answered by jada_riab 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God can do anything. Don't put limits on God in any way.
Some people do ineed believe in their false beliefs very firmly, but God is an infinite God who can give preachers the power to transform even the worst of sinners into Christians through Jesus Christ.
I'm not saying that if you walked up to Osama Bin-Laden and started preaching to him that he would automatically be won over by the preaching and give up his old ways. That's up to God.
2006-06-29 14:27:42 · answer #3 · answered by joecoolug 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Christian holy text, the New Testament, has a passage that encourages them to bring their religion to others. This is why Christians attempt to convert people, because their holy text says they must.
As far as the Christian God just going and converting everyone, that would go against one of the central Christian beliefs. They believe in a concept of free will. Free will allows for people to choose to follow the Christian God or not. For the Christian God to go *poof* now you all believe in me, would be in a sense, against their religion.
2006-06-29 14:23:57 · answer #4 · answered by practical thinking 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all Christians do that. Most don't, in fact. You only hear about the ones that do, unfortunately.
I think the evangelical fundamentalists find the need to preach and argue to make themselves feel important. They can argue with someone til both their heads fall off, but no one's opinion will change. You're right, this does turn people away.
2006-06-29 14:21:40 · answer #5 · answered by Aemilia753 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you ever heard about "free choice/free will"? God can always make everyone obey Him or follow what He wants, but that would making us like robots. One problem that we have is that people tend to become very close minded when it comes to things like religion.
Preaching is not as bad as you think, it is just that the devil also works to divert our attention from other things. Besides, preaching is better than doing nothing. and hey, God works in mysterious ways. Preaching may not pierce the heart in first shot, but it will, in the right time, you just to have faith.
2006-06-29 14:40:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, some believe this is the way to teach people about God. Me? I think personal relationships with people make for the best spiritual conversations, and I know that no amount of my preaching will make someone else believe. So for me, it is more about the relationship than the conversion.
2006-06-29 14:22:01 · answer #7 · answered by Steve M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you know it's not effective. It's similar to the habits of the homeless. If we keep preaching not to give them a dime, why is the same person out there day in and day out. Because it's working!
just like the preaching. Someone has to be listening.
2006-06-29 14:20:21 · answer #8 · answered by Batmen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians are actually afraid that you will go to hell if they don't lead you to salvation. Which means they don't really believe in the great work of Jesus.
Actually, I did convert my law abiding Christian friend to the belief that all are saved and belief is not required. Through the bible though, but that is the best way.
2006-06-29 14:21:03 · answer #9 · answered by ridethestar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question, but as you mentioned with the "ingrained beliefs" part, this isn't going to change any Christian's mind about preaching.
2006-06-29 14:19:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋