I recently attended a debate between a Christian apologist and an atheist. It was not as exciting as I had hoped it would be, but I am glad I attended. The topic of debate for the evening was “Is religion a force for good or evil?” Though I found arguments on both sides to be weak, I would have to say that on that night the atheist won the debate.
“You must judge religion by what its practitioners do” was one of the statements made. By which side do you think it was made? Think about it for a minute before reading on. Is that a statement that confirms that religion is a force for good or a statement claiming that religion is a force for evil? Which one is it? Even if you exchange “Christianity” for the word “religion” you will probably have the same confusion.
I am sad to tell you that it was the Christian apologist who made that statement. The Crusades, the Inquisition and the Salem Witch Trials all came to my mind (and the mind of the atheist). But as the debate continued I could not get my mind off of that statement. What if my church is judged by what it does? What if my life is judged by what I do? I guarantee you, they are. I can look at my church and my life and see some very good activity. I am so proud of my church and the other Christians I associate with. They are doing beautiful things. I also know of activity, though, in my church by which an atheist could point a finger and claim evil. The same is true of my life.
I had never attended a debate like this before. My expectations were high. Yes my disappointment came from the weak statements made by the Christian apologist. My disappointment grew, though, as I began to see the purpose of a debate. There were both Christians and atheists present. I suppose in a debate you would like to see your point of view presented in such a convincing way that those who disagree with you might have a change of mind and heart. The very question of religion being a force for good or evil made this an absolute impossibility! In fact, I wonder how many people have ever changed their minds because of the force of a debate. Every time the Christian apologist stopped speaking the Christians in the auditorium applauded. Every time the atheist stopped speaking the atheists applauded. Everyone was sure of their position, holding to it strongly. I know I was. There would be no changing of any minds that night.
Then I began to think of something Jesus once said: “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matt. 26:52 ESV). Jesus said this to Peter who had drawn his sword and cut the ear off of the servant of the high priest. Jesus was not making a statement to support banning swords. In fact, when Jesus sent his disciples out he instructed them to carry a sword (Luke 22:36-38).
The statement Jesus made to Peter telling him to put his sword away shows us how Jesus expects his Kingdom to advance. Peter was willing to fight to protect Jesus’ life. I believe he also would have been willing to fight in order to advance the Kingdom. But it would not be by force that Jesus’ Kingdom would be advanced. Words that come to my mind are sacrifice, humility, love, and service. This is what Jesus showed us. This is how we shall advance his Kingdom.
I think the same could be said for debates and arguments. Sure, a debate can be entertaining, but no debate will advance the Kingdom of God. If you want to live by debate (seeking to advance the Kingdom) you will probably die by debate. So how will we advance God’s Kingdom? The same way Jesus did, with sacrifice, humility, love, and service.
Press On, men!
Pastor Drew
