Why Christianity? discussion

Welcome, tell us all about yourself: brag, boast, share, reveal... this is your chance to make it all about you.

My name is Julie! Hi!
I was raised in a Christian home, and in Lutheran churches. I grew up, married a long-haired musician, and we started going to a free-Methodist church that was masquerading as non-denominational. These days, we're attending CRC, and are confused by Dutch people. :D . I have two adopted teens who have turned into young adults, a fluffy dog and a mother in law with dementia/parkinson's. I'm still married to the same musician-turned-apologist and and slightly addicted to Netflix!

I'll go second.
I've been involved in many chat groups on Goodreads and Facebook. I've also been kicked out of more than a few chat groups (some folks are very easily offended when questioned - especially Atheists and those who demand Free Speech. Weird eh?)
Time to start my own group (I may eventually have to kick myself out. So be it!)

I've been a Christian for 40 years. I've also been fascinated by world religions and cults almost that entire time. So discussing Spiritual truth and worldviews has always been a passion of mine. Funnily enough, I spent a few years in Bible college, way back, and there was almost Zero Theology and World Religions discussed there. Thanks to the internet: we can now chat quickly with a world of Muslims, Buddhists, Atheists, Pagans, Wizards and Witches, and freaky weird combinations of all of the above. I learn a fair bit from chatting (and never what they assume their eager posts are inserting).

Thanks to Goodreads, I've been able to find, read, and keep track of the hundreds of books on all these issues.

WARNING: I often approach all of this with a wicked sense of humor. Every belief system has sacred cows, sacred donkeys, even atheism has sacred biology and scientism. No harm in poking a bit of fun at the bizarre. (YES, even Christianity can be very bizarre.)

I recently joined a Christian Reformed Church with my wife and son (possibly about the 10th different church and denomination I have been involved in. Always learning). I have 2 awesome adopted kids, and a snarky dog, and an ailing mother. We also play in the church Worship band (and I have an addiction to electric guitars and amps, AND Bibles.)
I live in British Columbia Canada, near Vancouver. And most of the week i'm a chemical truck driver who drags Tankers all over the North West. (Lots of time to listen to podcasts and music -- and audiobooks.)

I'm glad Rod started this group, and glad to be third to join. I've enjoyed Rod's cynical posts, warped sense of humor, and out of the box perspective, and look forward to more and better. Future prospects beware.
I'm a no longer institutional theologian. I've belonged to several Christian denominations, graduated from a big Southern Baptist seminary, and pastored a few churches. And I've published some books. I'm in this for enlightenment and enjoyment. I would rather read and hear what other's have to say about what they believe and why they believe that way, than rehash what I already know, or think I know, as long as those peers allow others to believe and say what they believe without condemnation or abuse.
I like engaging in the pursuit of ultimate truth, knowing we can only see through a dark murky lens as long as we are bound to this Earth. I can't wait to see clearly and laugh at my foolish answers and conclusions, as long as I get a passing grade.

Sounds like you're in the right place! Great to meet you Eric!
~J~

Howdy, all.
What to say? I got saved in April of 1995 and have spent the time since then actively engaged in various aspects of the ministry, but my main ministry is street preaching. It has been the joy of my life to look men, women, boys and girls from all walks of life in their face and talk to them about Jesus Christ.
I believe the Bible has the answers for people that actually want answers.

Hey guys,

I am a millennial on the younger end of the spectrum and was raised in a Christian Fundamentalist home. But I only became a true Christian a couple of years ago. I was saved out of cold religiosity, legalism, and dead faith and my life hasn't been the same ever since. I now know what it means to have a real relationship with Christ. I am very interested in learning about Christian spirituality, apologetics, and theology and am intentional about challenging my beliefs and thinking critically about everything. Currently I attend a Plymouth Brethren assembly.

Currently I'm just focused on growing spiritually and being a witness to my family and friends and educating myself. Unless God has others plans, I'm planning on learning Japanese and doing some kind of missionary work for Japan. Maybe provide Christian resources in their language or actively going over to the country and helping plant a church. Japan is one of the least evangelized countries in the world (also one of the hardest because of their collective mindset) and any Christian presence there is pretty much nonexistent. Idk, I'll just have to see where God leads me.

Pretty much from what my profile describes...

I love hip hop and urban dance and want to become a proficient dancer. Korean pop music is a big motivator for me (BTS and EXO nerd here).

I consider self-development and creating hacks for my life as a hobby.

I like to think a lot and wrestle with philosophical and theological questions, trying to figure out how they and culture fit together (Maybe someday I'll start a YouTube channel or blog on the subject).

I love watching movies and learning about issues and other cultures. (Psst! Korean dramas are awesome because they're more original and clean than American TV shows!)

I love being active and try to workout when I can. Swimming and volleyball with friends are fun (and of course dancing). I also took Tae Kwon Do lessons for couple years. And I really like football (even though I don't have enough time to sit around and watch it that often).

Oh yes, and I love pets. Kitties are the absolute best and I'm blessed to have a cat who is noisy, loves to sit in my lap (but for some reason won't let me pick him up), likes to play hide and seek, and is just overall an energetic and entertaining cat.

Essy wrote: "Hey guys,

I am a millennial on the younger end of the spectrum and was raised in a Christian Fundamentalist home. But I only became a true Christian a couple of years ago. I was saved out of cold ..."

Wow. Nice to meet you.

Welcome.
Essy I'm so excited that you dropped by. Awesome!

Now I need to track down some Korean dramas. I don’t think I’ve seen any! In Canada, we have a Korean comedy called Kim’s Convenience, but I have a feeling it plays a lot on stereotypes. I believe they do deal with Christianity - mostly in connection to finding someone ‘proper’ and Granmother-approved to date. 😂

https://youtu.be/HIBbB6giJ7c

Apparently, there’s no such thing as a cool, Christian, Korean boyfriend! 🤣
https://youtu.be/xruSFsyKeMw

We love World comedy.everybody has Funny!

Michael I look forward to hearing about your experiences street preaching. I'm more of an internet debater.

Michael wrote: "Howdy, all.
What to say? I got saved in April of 1995 and have spent the time since then actively engaged in various aspects of the ministry, but my main ministry is street preaching. It has been..."

Hey Michael,
For kicks, and to stir something up... would you share your description of John the Baptist. How do you picture him physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually? If I walked into a Walmart store, would I notice him right away?
Beware, I'm going to come back with Hebrew nuances that you may never have been exposed to. Give me your best impression. This will be fun.

Eric - I think you and Rod may have been separated at birth! ;)
Also, Rod and I are obsessed with Colorado right now, so we might have to come see your own reenactment of John the Baptist at RedRocks!

Welcome, Michael! Would love to hear more about street preaching too! Do you stay in Kingsland, or head down to Jacksonville for a larger audience?

Invite me and I'll come. Born in Pueblo, BTW. Where are you in Colorado? As for being separated at birth, I think we were united in birth ;-)

We live in Canada, but want to come to Golden to see a concert one day soon!

Julie wrote: "We live in Canada, but want to come to Golden to see a concert one day soon!"

I'm in Houston. Hot, flat, humid. You can easily see how I confused Canada with Colorado.

So true! For some reason I thought you were in CO! Haha. Well, we do have places in our province that look a lot like Denver, but we live in a place that’s more like Seattle. Lots of rain. Maybe we can send some to Houston!

We don't talk about rain in Houston much these days.

Eric wrote: "Michael wrote: "Howdy, all.
What to say? I got saved in April of 1995 and have spent the time since then actively engaged in various aspects of the ministry, but my main ministry is street preach..."

Sounds like I'm walking face first into a ceiling fan.

Julie wrote: "Welcome, Michael! Would love to hear more about street preaching too! Do you stay in Kingsland, or head down to Jacksonville for a larger audience?"

We preach all over the Southeast. I've been allowed to preach all over the world.

Michael wrote: "Sounds like I'm walking face first into a ceiling fan ..."

Not really, Michael. In fact, to take the heat off, I bet Julie or Rod will jump on this and we'll see how we separately relate it to modern street preaching. That is my simple aim. I'm really a supportive soul. I just like to dig where there is a likely payoff. To honor our Lord we all have to be gracious and loving, agreed?
Now somebody give my your impression of John the Baptist.

It's just such an odd question, I can't help but wonder what's behind it.

I think he looked liked Elijah the Tishbite.

Rod wrote: "Michael I look forward to hearing about your experiences street preaching. I'm more of an internet debater."

I try to avoid debate because, according to the book of Romans, it's a work of the flesh and frankly it brings all of my worser qualities right to the surface pretty quickly.

Julie wrote: "Welcome, Michael! Would love to hear more about street preaching too! Do you stay in Kingsland, or head down to Jacksonville for a larger audience?"

I am planning to write a book of street stories to coincide with my 25th anniversary in the ministry.

Michael wrote: "Rod wrote: "Michael I look forward to hearing about your experiences street preaching. I'm more of an internet debater."

I try to avoid debate because, according to the book of Romans, it's a work..."

Debate generally takes one of two courses. Efforts to assert who is right generate arguments. But efforts to discover what is right generate discussion. I am drawn into a discussion, but I can walk away from an argument. It happens on this board and you will see me join in or disappear. Rod is off the wall but safe. Others on the site seem main stream but bite like a snake. I believe you are a good addition to the mix, Michael. I hope you stay and participate. And I will try to be sensitive to your spirit.

I like to make sure Everyone is learning. And it's a fun challenge

I'm Robert, a retired El Paso Community College Biology instructor. I'm interested in melding science and Christianity. Hopeless task, right - shouldn't be as God created the phenomena scientists discover just as sure as he provided the behavioral pathway for his sheep to live by. However, I've come across countless truth-avoiding individuals in both fields who are utterly convinced their discipline is free from the other. As the English say "What Rot!" Open mindedness is not a universal asset, but I hope to find at least a hint of it on this board as I've found Rod willing to entertain, if not embrace, different viewpoints.

Welcome Robert. It'll never be boring with you here.

Hello! I'm Chad. I'm in my late 30s, married with 3 kids under age 10. I work in information technology for a very large Christian non-profit and I currently live in Colorado. Grew up going to a Methodist church but didn't have a good understanding of Christ and what it meant to be a disciple of Christ until I attended college. I now attend a non-denominational church.

I enjoy reading (I think that probably goes without saying on a site called goodreads...) and I enjoy discussing the things I read with others. But you know, it is actually hard these days to find people that are willing to read something that might challenge their current belief system.

Wait... actually, it is hard to find people that are willing to pick up a book, period. It is like most people live this, 'ignorance is bliss' sort of life. Even Christians, though the Bible tells us that we should be able to defend our faith. 1 Peter 3:15b says, "if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it."

Most Christians I know cannot explain or defend anything about the Christian faith... so I'm hoping to find a community of people interested in discussing and debating interesting topics along the lines of Biblical Theology, or Mormonism, or Islam, or biblical inerrancy, or creationism, or science and the Bible... fun things like that.

Rod - I'll take that as a compliment, but even if it isn't - you invited me to the board!

The last thing I would want is a group with people exactly like me. And me and you laugh a lot.

You made it Chad. I generally poke everyone "theologically" with a stick, until they hate ME... or themselves.

Julie wrote: "Apparently, there’s no such thing as a cool, Christian, Korean boyfriend! 🤣
https://youtu.be/xruSFsyKeMw"

True dat, lol!

Julie - Ft. Bliss, the largest Army post, is in El Paso, where I live. Many soldiers stationed in Korea brought back Korean wives or husbands and retired here. There are many young people with one Korean parent in the city (if that counts) and I suspect they're pretty cool as they seem thoroughly immersed in the American youth culture.

I hate these "introduce yourself" things, because I'm a pretty private person, and I'm careful about what info I put out about me on the internet.

But, I'm me, and I'm here :D

Exciting. You found our little group. "Yaaaayyyy!"

Rod wrote: "Exciting. You found our little group. "Yaaaayyyy!""

I probably won't participate much, I really do try to keep away from theology discussions on GR. But, I like you guys, and the lack of *unpleasant elements*, so I'm here :D

And if anyone needs/wants pointers or help or whatever about discussing stuff with non-Christians, or Islam, or Mormonism, I'm happy to help.

Alexandra wrote: "I hate these "introduce yourself" things, because I'm a pretty private person, and I'm careful about what info I put out about me on the internet.

But, I'm me, and I'm here :D"

Can I just say I probably had a little to much fun yesterday... It was fun interacting with you guys, and the little humor we had going.

Getting out the 2x4 was not the fun part... but I tried the soft approach about a month ago and got absolutely nowhere. Trying the tough love approach got nowhere either... at least it didn't seem to make a difference...

I really felt like somebody needed to stand up to him. He posts these questions in multiple discussion forums on this site with the intent of bullying and belittling anyone who challenges him. It is disgusting.

The last time I tried to get through to him I said I was done and I wasn't going to try again... However, Alexandra, when I saw you taking him on, I thought... It might help to have 2 people pointing out the Biblical truth...

Anyway... Alexandra, welcome to the much calmer, much more level headed group Rod started. There is quite a bit of disagreement in this group... but at the end of the day, we all love Jesus, and we're civil to each other. :)

Chad wrote: "I really felt like somebody needed to stand up to him. He posts these questions in multiple discussion forums on this site with the intent of bullying and belittling anyone who challenges him. It is disgusting."

I told you guys I was out of here for a while, and I left. I needed a break after I allowed myself to be broken by the small fellow I would bet a good wager you're discussing here. Enough said because I don't want to go there again.
I am totally off of his thread, so I am out of his web, but not his reach. Looking over the number of people he has viciously sparred with since I joined not long ago, I wonder how many people he has "run off" in claiming his personal ground for the TRUE Jesus.
Anyway, I see Alexandra joined this thread and I'm glad to see someone who seems civil and distinct in her views. Welcome Alexandra. Yes, I will be interested in your "non-Christian" religious perspective, if I am correct in my assessment of what you wrote.

Chad wrote: "Alexandra wrote: "I hate these "introduce yourself" things, because I'm a pretty private person, and I'm careful about what info I put out about me on the internet.

But, I'm me, and I'm here :D"

..."

Thanks Chad. I probably would have reigned in my inclination to bash the guy over the head (and hopefully even though I was tough it can be seen I kinda did try at first to not go whole hog), if it were not for a few factors.

First, although I'm not active in that group I've had a run in with him before, and I have also read interactions between him and others even though I did not post. Therefore I knew this was not just him having a bad day, or getting worked up in a particular conversation. And I also knew it was something he did with pretty much everyone. It wasn't just a case of him being rude and tricksy with me. Additionally I had seen others trying a gentler approach, and failing, many, many times.

Even then I think I probably would have blasted him a few times and then just blocked him and ignored him. Except - he is not just some guy on the internet, he is a Director of a Christian Ministry. And he's not simply unpleasant, he's outright dishonest and deceptive, habitually so. This guy should be BETTER in his tactics and behavior, and at the very least refrain from being dishonest and using trickery, than just us laypeople.

I will admit though that when he first accused me of being one who would "judge Jesus", well that really, really ticked me off. There was no cause or justification for such an accusation, and it was a smear tactic of the highest order. It was utterly disgusting.

I wasn't all that hopeful that someone going toe-to-toe with him and standing right up with him would make a difference to him, although sometimes bullies are surprisingly easy to intimidate themselves, if you can show you're equal to the task.

But at least the information is out there, that Christians will call out fellow Christians for this crap, as well as spotlighting why and how what he is doing is wrong.

Eric wrote: "Chad wrote: "I really felt like somebody needed to stand up to him. He posts these questions in multiple discussion forums on this site with the intent of bullying and belittling anyone who challen..."

Hi Eric.

I am a Christian, and one that affirms the orthodox and Biblical Christian doctrines. (Meaning I don't subscribe to Liberal Theology or fringey stuff). So my perspective on theology and religion is very definitely a Christian one.

What I meant by what I wrote is that, for personal reasons, I'm likely not to engage much here regarding discussions on Christianity, but I do have a lot of experience debating theology with non-Christians, mostly Mormons and Muslims, that I am happy to share with anyone who may find that helpful, and information regarding Islam and Mormonism, of which I am very well familiar.

Folks - I still communicate with Robert D. to tamper his zealotry. He really doesn't have the breadth of intelligence to yank my chain. If all anyone knows is the Bible, it's a sure bet they're dysfunctional. We all recognize it as our central guiding principle, but there are numerous other fields of truth to pursue to round us out as useful witnesses for the Kingdom.

My name is Chris. Been on Goodreads for a while. Really enjoy learning ways to defend my Christian faith. Lately been reading up on world views and the church fathers.
Looking forward to contributing to the group when I can.

Welcome. We need more experts on the church fathers.