Should we use Bible evidence when reasoning with people who do not believe the Bible?
I read a book that said, when Christians discuss moral issues with people who do not believe in the Bible, we should not use the Bible to convince them. Many people, including some in the Lord’s church, agree there is no value in using the Bible to try to persuade unbelievers regarding specific issues. But consider:
Before deciding whether or not to serve God, each person should consider the sacrifices required to serve faithfully ... and the cost of not serving faithfully.I have a book by Paul Johnson about the history of the American people. It describes the development of the United States and discusses at length the role of religion in our history. One point he emphasizes is the tension throughout our history between the importance of religion and spirituality on the one hand and the urge for possessions and materialism on the other hand.
At one point he describes the occupations, material success, and living arrangements of Americans in the 1700's, including a description of their homes. Page 100 includes the following about what was to be the most magnificent home built during the 1700's:
The greatest early 18th-century house in America was Rosewell, erected by Mann Page ... in 1726 on the York river. Page had this superb house built using designs ... published in London ... Page overspent, his grand house was unfinished when he died in 1730, and his debts exceeded the value of all his property ... Rosewell ... was burned down in 1916.
Some people are ashamed to repent but not ashamed to sin.In Daniel Defoe's well-known classic, Robinson Crusoe left home to go to sea as a sailor against the wishes of his parents. He soon came to regret his decision, but was unwilling to return home because he did not want to admit that he made a mistake. He was ashamed to have his friends and family know that he was wrong and his parents were right.
So he observes: "Some people are not ashamed to sin but they are ashamed to repent."
Consider some things we can learn:
What does the Bible say about honoring our word? Must we keep our promises and commitments? What are the consequences of rash or false promises? Must we keep our commitments in marriage, business, and service to God?
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