Roger Redux 4/26/2013

What caused our friend and crowd-drawing heckler, Roger, to storm off in disgust this time?

The dialog that unfolded was virtually a replay of previous discussions. Roger employs a rhetorical strategy which is common to what one author refers to as "hatetheism":

- Dismissing all of scripture, history, biblical scholarship, doctrine and theology with the wave of a hand, saying, "That's just your opinion."

- Making ad hominem attacks, impugning the intelligence or character of whoever holds to a Biblical worldview.

- Making unsupportable assertions, such as: "You're just like the Taliban, you want to force people to believe as you do." It is worth noting that this particular assertion (i.e. comparing Christians to the Taliban) is a popular one in the hatetheistic press, as evidenced by a Google search which revealed more than one Venn diagram illustrating this concept.

Finally, in the process of naming a few of the various sins, which are common in our culture, that will convict all unbelievers before the Great White Throne on judgement day, David mentioned abortion. "If you have had an abortion in your life, He will wash away the blood, that you have shed, with His own blood. He will wash you clean. He will set you free. He will give you a new heart. He'll cause you to be born again," said David.

"Goodbye!" said Roger, turning away from the microphone. Since he left in a hurry, it is unclear exactly why Roger was so offended. Perhaps it was the proclamation of the sinfulness of abortion. Or maybe it was the loving and unmerited grace of God toward repentant sinners. Perhaps it was the refusal to let the heckler control the mic and therefore control the sharing of the Gospel. Perhaps it was our arrogance in claiming to understand the clear truth of God's word, when, according to Roger, "You guys don't understand what any of the words mean!"

There is no joy in such an outcome, except in having been enabled by the Holy Spirit to be faithful and obedient to share the truth. Our sincere prayer for Roger, and all others who despise the clear teaching of scripture by which God has communicated effectively to all of His creation, is to repent and come to saving faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

David, Sharon, Dr. Jack, Mark and Steve were the core team this evening.

"But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God." Romans 2:5

"Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you." Acts 8:22