Body Language
From the February 2006 issue of The Berean Call, letters section:
I was listening to an old radio program from 6/20/04 in which a letter was read as follows:Too often we presume to know the best way to reach unbelievers with the gospel, but the unbelievers frequently tell a different story. As I’ve said before, most of “Christendumb” will not tolerate a bold and forceful declaration of the gospel, condemning it as negative and unloving. They call their approach “friendship evangelism” but what kind of friend never tells you you’re in danger? How loving is it to smile and wave as your friends skip merrily to hell?“Don’t you guys realize that you are trashing many good brothers in the Lord by your attacks on Calvinism and The Passion of the Christ? Your judgmental approach is part of the reason nonbelievers have such a low view of Christianity.”
I could not disagree more. I do not find you to be judgmental at all. I think it takes a great deal of boldness to present the facts and contend for what you believe. I am a 22-year-old woman and I have a very sinful past.... I know for a fact that the most repulsive thing to a non-Christian is a Christian who tries to be cool. People have more respect for what you believe if you are not willing to compromise it-- even if they disagree and even hate you for it. If you are wishy-washy, they see you as pathetic and not confident about what you claim to believe.
Jesus was kind and compassionate to the humble, but harsh and confrontational to the proud. Those who are truly seeking God will humble themselves and listen to the gospel message, but it has to be spoken clearly. Those who rant about us being negative will not be saved by the sugar-coated “gospel”, even if they appear to accept some “lite” form of churchianity. Do not fear the hate that Jesus promised to his faithful disciples. Stand firm.