Recently in christianity Category

Does God exist? If only more people thought it as important an issue as Raymond Terrific does...

Last night on twitter, @cameronreilly informed the twitterverse that he was bored, and was looking for Christians to argue with. Somewhat unwisely (140 characters is a very limited debating medium), several Chrstian twitterers (including myself) took the bait; for at least half an hour, there was much vigorous to-ing and fro-ing as each side stubbornly put forward its own opinion.

Cameron's main argument was that Christianity is a violent religion, citing several verses in order to try and prove his point. He also claimed (without presenting a lot of actual evidence, preferring to state opinions as fact - but I digress) that Christianity has shown by actions done in its name to be inherently violent and intolerant.

To which I raise a few questions:

1. Evolutionary theory has species pitted violently against species; each vying for survival at the expense of others. Does that sound inherently peaceful or tolerant?
2. The very foundation of society and law is based on intolerance: the law outlines those actions which cannot be tolerated by the people. Why is this form of intolerance acceptable, when it is fundamentally no different to the Christian idea of sin, which God does not tolerate?
3. If those who preach "tolerance über alles" are so tolerant, why don't they let Christians hold to their own beliefs? This smacks of hypocrisy to me...

Interestingly, today Cameron has said that he wants to start a podcast where he debates Christians. I'm all for that, and would probably listen to it - provided he doesn't pick straw men to argue with...

Have started listening to Mark Driscoll's series on Doctrine from Mars Hill Church, and really enjoyed the first sermon on the Trinity. This is a difficult doctrine for all Christians to grasp, as it pushes beyond what we as finite beings can grasp. However, Pastor Driscoll treats the subject with the respect it deserves, while still being interesting and engaging. He gives compelling reasons why the orthodox Christian view of the Trinity is not contradictory or unnecessarily bizarre, but is in fact fundamental to a Christian view of just about everything.

I'm looking forward to the rest in the series.