How to awaken a desire for the Truth?

[Guest]

For example my in-laws are 4th generation Southern Baptists. They are Godly Christians but they just can't understand why I don't hold their views on eschatology or on church building projects or having the gall to disagree (even nicely) with a pastor.

I don’t wish to convert them because they are already Christian. But I would like to be able to say “Where exactly does it say that in scripture?” then have a discussion.

Example Discussion:

Father-In-Law:
Upon seeing a segment on the troubles in the Middle East, on the evening news, he says “Boy you can just feel that the end times are near. I am glad I won’t be around for the tribulation & 1,000 year reign.”

Me:
Where does it say that in the Bible?

Father-In-Law:
Revelation says “1000 year reign”

Me:
Yes Revelation 20 does say that. Numbers 1 says “the tribe of Rueben, were forty and six thousand.” Psalm 50 says “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” 2nd Peter says “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

Father-In-Law:
That’s right

Me:
So does “thousand” have the same literal meaning in each verse? Or does the context of the book, the chapter and the verse give us clues to the meaning?

Mother-In-Law
Promptly runs from room and my wife needs to console her and promise her that her grandchildren are not part of a cult.

Wife:
Stop talking religion with my parents.

But since we are all Christians the topic of God keeps coming up. These are people who I know I can learn from as well.

[Guest]

Hi Murf--

i can sympathize with what you are saying. you should have seen the look on my mom's face when i told her that the Left Behind books might have it wrong.

on the flip side, they may have it right, although my confidence in this has been reduced greatly by Steve's eschatology series.

if the disagreement is over non-essential matters, then there is probably no reason to argue about it. they will likely not change their views at this stage in the game. hopefully they would give you the opportunity to politely explain your views, and if what you are saying makes sense it may perk their interest to hear more. at any rate, i feel that discussing theological matters should not create division or tension in your family. instead of simply interjecting your views, you could always ask permission to do so. if your father in law has no desire to hear your views, he will let you know. if he agrees, then do so non-confrontationally. if he perceives that you are attempting to show him how enlightened you are and how silly his views are, he will shut you off.

any ways, that's my recommendation. good question!

TK

[Guest]

I agree with your wife.

[Guest]

Hi Murf,

I think TK gave some good advice. And I think your on the right track also. Recognizing the disagreements of salvation verses disagreements within the camp of the saved are two different areas completely.

I have a similar situation with my in-laws. Although my in-laws are of the RLDS church and not the Baptist denomination like your in-laws. I feel fourtunate that my in-laws are willing to discuss, with gentleness and respect, some in-camp issues as well as out-of-camp issues. I think one thing that has helped us remain open to discussion with one another is that we genuinely want to know where the other person is coming from. I think trying to avoid questions that sound like test questions is a key when seeking the truth. In other words, avoiding yes or no questions. Some people feel like thier being led into a verbal trap or something when you just ask yes or no questions. Remember, it's a discussion, not a test. Another attitude I think has been helpfull for us is not sounding like we need to teach the other the right view. As TK said, we need to be open to the possibility that we have a wrong view about a given situation just as much as the people we speak with might. One thing I need to remind myself when I talk to my in-laws is the relationship, and just to remember to have fun and enjoy my family and not to feel too burdend to always ... correct them - which I want to do alot.

You said:

But since we are all Christians the topic of God keeps coming up. These are people who I know I can learn from as well.

I would communicate that to them if you haven't already. Letting them know your open to the truth if it means a different view could really put some tension at ease and possibly open up a door for discussion.

That's my humble 2 cents

[Guest]

Hi Murf,

Great advice from the other folks so far. One question, have you decided that your view is the correct one before you enter a conversation with the in-laws? If you're a partial preterist and your father-in-law is a futurist, could you also discuss the possibility of the historicist's position as being plausible? Whoops, that's 2 questions. I owe you a quarter.

One observation: The wise man knows when to argue with his wife. I've been married 8 years and have not yet had such an occasion arise. Your wife knows mom and dad much better than you. Learn to enter such a conversation with meekness and just as meekly learn to exit. There will be lots of time to make your points.

livingink

[Guest]

A little background, I was raised a dispensationalist but the teaching never sat well with me. So I did independent research when I got older. Steve's book on Revelations was the exact format I was wishing some one would right so Thanks Steve.

But because I have moved away from the dispensationalist view I am probably less patient than I should be when discussing it, but I don't think ever rude or condescending. I just ask questions and discuss passages & context. Inertia is great once something starts moving but it also keeps us sitting still.

I have long just smiled and nodded at family gatherings when issues arise because they are mostly non-essentials. I do speak up now when my in-laws are "teaching" my children things.

Such as my brother-in-law telling my son that Canada the US & Mexico will all become one country and that is a sign of the End Times.

But mostly I see some stressed people watching the news channel each night trying to see “is tonight is the night”. I would like to give them some peace about it.