During a recent visit to a city in England I observed some people in a large open area trying to advertise Christianity to passers by. At some point they got into a discussion with a man and a woman and the discussion became heated. Voices were raised and then the couple who had stopped to speak with the Christians went over to police officers nearby and complained about them. Before I left the area I approached the Christians and offered some encouragement. However, what impacted me most about that episode was a negative rather than a positive. Despite believing that Jesus is the answer for our deepest need, I found myself thinking that the lasting impression for anyone who witnessed that open air 'discussion' was of people arguing about religion and it not being clear who was in the right. Indeed the Christians may have been perceived as over zealous types and trouble makers.
The experience brought to mind a Bible passage which says if you are asked about your Christian hope always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear (1 Peter 3:15b-16a, NLT). What I had witnessed in that city was a kind of shouting match and this never helps the case for Christianity. It makes Christians look unreasonable. In situations where Christians are argumentative or overly zealous in presenting their faith the conscience will suggest that it is not the best way to sway others to the cause.
In the Bible, when Paul was on trial before a Roman governor for allegedly stirring up trouble when he spoke about Christianity, he was clear that his accusers did not find him arguing with anyone. He states that his conscience is clear (Acts 24: 12, 16). Paul sought to avoid fruitless arguments but neither did he shy away from explaining the reason for the faith within him. When he was later brought before king Agrippa he reminds the king that Christian activity would be familiar to him as it was not done in secret. He asserts that he can speak freely before Agrippa and that what he asserts is not unreasonable. In other words Paul is saying both that he is not a 'crazed' fanatic, going around trying to force his opinion down people's throats, nor ashamed of what he believes and shying away from discussing it in a reasonable manner (see Acts 26).
Paul tells Agrippa his personal story about how he went from being an obsessive persecutor of Christians to a passionate follower of their faith. No matter what struggles the king and his audience may have had with the idea that Jesus could've risen from the dead it was not unreasonable to suppose that some dramatic intervention in Paul's situation had occurred to account for such a turnaround in his life mission. It's almost as if Paul is challenging his listeners: 'how do you account for the change in me?' Paul was able to 'reasonably' explain his faith in Jesus because a 'reasonable' observable change had occurred in him. There is something very powerful for us to take from this: Christians should not simply talk about their faith, it should also be obvious to any reasonable person how their faith has changed them.
We should not be afraid to engage in reasonable debate about Christianity but the debate will be sterile if we do not exhibit the warmth and relaxed freedom springing from a changed life. Christians have something to share and the good news about Jesus is nothing to apologise for. A changed life illustrates this. As Paul reminded us:
I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes (Romans 1v16 NLT).
This is exciting news to share but another reason Christians can become tense and argumentative in sharing the good news is by putting themselves under pressure to win over the listener at the earliest opportunity. I read a lot and for me the best books are the ones that leave you wanting more, not the ones where I'm glad to have reached the end. Sometimes, at the finish of a live music or drama performance the audience is thinking, or in come cases shouting, 'more, more!' When Paul and his companions spread the good news about Jesus from region to region they were sometimes invited to speak further or had enthused a portion of their audience to hear them again (see Acts 13: Pisidian Antioch; Acts 17: Athens).
If people are not won over the first time we share our faith in Christ or even after several exchanges, that's ok. So long as we leave them or a portion of the listeners wanting to hear more. We do this by remaining open and approachable and encouraging people that we are for them and not against them. Christians have a wonderful message to share about God's love and forgiveness revealed through Jesus. That message can be obscured if the messenger comes across as argumentative and unyielding. Put yourself in the position of the listeners and consider what might leave them wanting more.
The Church believes that faith in Jesus changes lives. The reality is that for those yet to be convinced the message is only as attractive as those sharing it. As Paul advised Timothy, let us avoid foolish arguments that lead to further conflict (2 Timothy 2:23-24). Let us be seen as calm and respectful in telling others about Jesus, knowing an assured and relaxed freedom in conversation that the power of God can work in others as it has in us. Let us help this process, not hinder it. Do not be a troublemaker. Be reasonable!
Image source: https://devontexas.com/2014/08/04/dialysis-and-disagreement/two-cartoon-men-yelling/
