Bad evangelism says: I'm right, you're wrong, and I would love to tell you about it
Interpretation
This quote critiques a confrontational style of sharing beliefs that alienates others. It emphasizes the importance of dialogue over dogmatism.
Timothy Keller highlights the shortcomings of aggressive or confrontational evangelism, suggesting that a mindset that prioritizes being 'right' over understanding others can lead to disconnection and hostility. Rather than establishing meaningful conversations, this approach can often create barriers between individuals. Keller advocates for a more respectful and empathetic approach to sharing one's beliefs, promoting understanding and genuine dialogue over merely asserting oneβs correctness.
In practice
In a debate about beliefs, this quote can remind participants to engage respectfully.
Falling in love in a Christian way is to say,'I am excited about your future and I want to be part of getting you there. I'm signing up for the journey with you. Would you sign up for the journey to my true self with me? It's going to be hard but I want to get there.
Only in Jesus Christ do we see how the untamable, infinite God can become a baby and a loving Savior. On the cross we see how both the love and the holiness of God can be fulfilled at once.
All human problems are ultimately symptoms, and our separation from God is the cause.
While your character flaws may have created mild problems for other people, they will create major problems for your spouse and your marriage.
To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.
God's Kingdom is "present in its beginnings, but still future in its fullness. This guards us from an under-realized eschatology (expecting no change now) and an over-realized eschatology (expecting all change now). In this stage, we embrace the reality that while we're not yet what we will be, we're also no longer what we used to be.
Fixity is always momentary. But how can it always be so? If it were, it would not be momentary - or would not be fixity.
The rule of law means that law and justice are upheld by an independent judiciary. The judgments of the European Court of Justice have to be respected by all. To undermine them, or to undermine the independence of national courts, is to strip citizens of their fundamental rights. The rule of law is not optional in the European Union. It is a must.
It's totally irrational, patently insane to condemn an entire race - to despise an entire nation - to vilify an entire religion.
I think Russian people are learning that democracy is not an alien thing; it's not a western invention.
I am seeking for the bridge which leans from the visible to the invisible through reality.
... consciousness is an ever-unfolding, deepening, and expanding process with no end point. We are infinite and complex beings, and our human journey involves not just a spiritual awakening, but the development of all levels of our being - spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical - and the integration of all these aspects into a healthy and balanced daily life.
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