the encounter

11 - Apr - 2008

Stuff Christians Like :: #134

Date: 11 April, 2008 | Posted By: Jonathan Blundell | Category: Faith, humor

Got a tip today about Christian humor site Stuff Christians Like. It’s similar to the popular Stuff White People Like and written as a tongue-in-cheek but brutally honest look at the Christian Bubble — from a PK’s point of view.

“From Chick-fil-a to youth pastors with goatees and bald worship leaders, author Prodigal Jon writes in a refreshing and totally humorous manner.”

After browsing the site some of the things make me wonder if I should laugh or cry because it’s so true. Take for instance #134:

#134. Witnessing to people that don’t believe in the Bible using the Bible.

This one is just cuckoo, but I promise it happens. I have some friends that if you open the door to hear about God or Jesus or Faith with them will immediately turn to the Bible to prove that all of the three mentioned subjects are true and good and worth giving your life to. The problem is that some people just don’t believe in the Bible. At all. So here is what those conversations tend to look like:

Christian friend:
“It’s a cliche to see it on signs at football games, but the message of John 3:16 is still a gift that holds true for all of us.”

Non Christian friend:
“That’s cool, but I don’t believe in the Bible.”

Christian friend:
“What do you mean? Which part?”

Non Christian friend:
“The words part.”

Christian friend:
“What?”

Non Christian friend:
“I don’t believe in it. I don’t think it’s the word of God or some sort of holy truth.”

Christian friend:
(Awkward silence.) “OK, but in Romans it says …”

Clearly this isn’t how all my friends or all Christians are. But, if your Bible is the only outward expression or explanation of your faith then the minute you meet someone that does not believe in it you’ve hit a serious wall. It’s like trying to tell someone that lived their whole life in the desert how deep the ocean is and how many animals live in it. They don’t even believe in the concept of salt water, never mind the miracle of oceanic life. You’ve got to live it. You have to be the ocean and express your life in such a way that even if all they’ve seen are sandstorms for the last twenty years, when they’re around you, they can’t help but start to hear the waves.