(Like Andrew said, we all agree here – I’m just attempting to add a little more depth

I would argue that even though God does gift certain people certain ways, and some people are naturally better suited to certain forms of evangelism, most of us probably need to hear the opposite of what is natural to us. For instance, an “I’ll argue with you until I can’t talk anymore” person like me or Riley probably should be reminded that we need to do it out of love for the person, not an abstract idea. Likewise, the “preach the Gospel at all times and use words when necessary” person should be reminded that “how can they believe if they are not told, and how can they be told unless someone preaches”.

It’s a pendulum, I suppose, and like a lot of other things must be kept in a healthy tension. I think what Riley’s trying to do is pull a little to bring it back to center.

I agree that intellectual debate is often dismissed as loveless, and that definitely isn’t the case all the time, but I think what most people mean by ‘forcing your beliefs on someone’ is more akin to the blind evangelism that usually does nothing except enforce the non-christian’s dislike of evangelism in the first place.

But I also have a few theories on why intellectualism gets a bad rap…

1. I think a large part of it is because a lot of the youth/ppl your age aren’t confident in their understanding of God’s Word or apologetics. In my experience, I’m a lot less willing to argue something (even if I want to, or know it’s the right thing) if I can’t back it up…ESPECIALLY when the person I’m talking to is more likely to respond by debating/being argumentative. I think insecurities (some of them valid, some of them not) play a large part in why people shy away from confronting people about their religious beliefs.

2. Also, as a whole, I think young people live with, and have grown up with a “live and let live” mindset. Even when they want to do something radical (like share the Gospel with someone), they tend to do it in non-intrusive ways (i.e. “loving on” the person).

3. It might be that some people think it’s genuinely more effective to love as opposed to argue/debate. We hear all the time how it’s our love that separates us…maybe people just think that’s the best way to get through or set themselves apart. Or they think that because they wouldn’t respond well to debate, no one will.

Andrew – You’re right too. Love is the foundation.

I think what I’m trying to say is not that I prefer intellectual debate over stereotypical live-it-out-with-compassion, but that I think the former gets a bad rap, especially in the postmodernist/emergent scene recently discussed on my Facebook status. I have a whole discussion coming on that subject, but for now I’m mainly talking to my generation and not a movement. I want my generation to realize the richness in intellectual debate and how it can be done in love and for the Gospel. I don’t think many people want to say that right now.

I look at successful conversion relationships like Tolkien and Lewis, or even unsuccessful ones like Walker Percy and Shelby Foote, and see both forces at work. They reasoned and argued, but did so in the context of love and compassion. Love is the foundation, I truly believe that. It’s the difference between street preaching and handing out gospel tracts and bearing another’s burdens and being the gospel to another. If I love them, I will tell them the truth, but if I tell them the truth without first loving them, I’ve most likely done a great disservice.

Generally I agree with everything you said. I am so glad that you see that both are ways to love people!

Hebrews 12:6 “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Discipline gets a bad rap, calling people out gets a bad rap… but sometimes that is the sweetest form of love!! God tells us this and proves this. He will give us grace when we need it, and consequences when we need it. It’s a part of His love.

But, that’s not really my point, rather there are many different forms of love. Love is not self-seeking, and sometimes it may not seem like love, but there definitely are a TON of ways to show love.

Also, I think that we need to put to use all that Christ has given us. He has gifted us all differently and I believe we are to use every facet of who we are for His glory!-our gifts, talents, minds, and hearts.

1 Cor 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink, whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

That means daily living for His purposes! Being intentional in every aspect of your day is essentially what we’re supposed to do. How we treat others, what we do, what we say, how we say it, in EVERYTHING.

Sometimes we’re supposed to have a debate with someone, other times we’re to be a silent witness with our life. But to get the two confused!-what a tragedy! We’re to be led of the Holy Spirit, and to be led of Him, we’re to cultivate our deepening intimacy with our God, our wonderful Redeemer!

Romans 8:14 “because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

I think there is a delicate balance we must maintain in everything. We are to love and worship and offer ourselves to God!-but we are to seek His truth through His word, to study it, know it, defend it, live it. Ignoring worship because it’s too much of an experience is to miss so much! Just as never reading your bible you miss out on so much of who God really is!

A.W. Tozer said, “Being made in His image we have within us the capacity to know Him.”

God is our intelligent designer, yet His Spirit is within us. We have the capacity to grow in our mental and spiritual understanding! Our spirit is moved by His, our hearts are moved by His, our minds can be moved by Him as well!

Yet it is all inclusive and you can’t forsake one for the other.

And to persist if you knew one person would come to know Christ, I’d say, why wouldn’t you?! My heart breaks for the lost and I want to do all that I can to share Christ when them!! But it’s like the story in Luke 18 where there was the widow who sought justice and kept going to the judge over and over again, eventually he granted her justice!

But above all, we’re to be right with God, pure in our intentions, genuine with each person, and led of the Holy Spirit in all we do.

Just my long two cents(: