High School Thoughts

I wrote this after a very heated debate with a very adamant atheist during my senior year of high school when I attended Anoka-Ramsey Community College. I've done some slight editing, but here it is. Now I do not think you can debate someone into believing in God, but we must be ready to give a defense:

"Thoughts on Debating"

I’ve learned a lot lately. Whether or not what I’ve learned, I’ll put into practice awaits to be seen. I know this though, also, that without good speaking skills and such, I’ll never get through to some. Without good debating skills, it will be a shot in the dark. Even then, some will reject, some will accept, but I must have passion. I don’t know what is in me, other than God, but I know that war is there and that it must be fought. Why else did God choose to make me? We all must fight, especially me. I don’t mean with fists, but with hearts and minds. Words….words must be used to express feelings of disagreement, disgust, and agreement. I need to always point people to God, without getting emotions stirred too high. God has called me to front lines, and there I must go. It seems I always picture myself with a double-edge sword fighting demons off into the abyss with God’s help. But is that what really happens? I mean, I don’t have a literal double-edge sword, but I have fought in battles. Spiritual battles have been fought many times and they must be. But one must not forget to never apologize for your beliefs, never. But if approach is wrong, you must apologize for offense. One simply can’t go up to another and say, “You heathen!! You’re going to hell!!!” No, that would be the wrong approach and offensive, even if it is true. No, in all things we must be humble and we must not waiver. For if we waiver, we can never show the truth.

I’m not saying I’m perfect and that I don’t sin, because everybody sins. It’s human nature. Unfortunately we are imperfect people, born into sin. Well, should we apologize to people for the sins we’ve committed? I would say, “Yes, of course.” But we should not apologize for being a Christian. What we must be are cities on a hill, where people can see God’s light shining from us.

But what if we debate people? Debating is good, it helps develop character, faith, and speaking skills. I have debated many times. Most people, however, have not been what I’ve wanted them to be when they were over. Maybe some people could be offended, or you could be offended, or your faith could be drained big time. If a question has been posed to you that you may start to doubt because of it, find the answer. Find the truth, look at both sides. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you find. But please do not harden your heart so much that you feel you should not find the answers to tough questions, because people will ask about them. You will always have to give an answer for the faith you have. You can answer theologically, personally, or logically.

However you do it, however, you must always do it in love. But how can you do it in love when the person you are speaking to isn’t speaking to in love? I would answer, “Very carefully.” For that is what is right. Choose your words carefully, not to upset the other. Try not to interrupt just to make a point. But also smile to them. Showing that you care is a big deal, it means that you don’t hate them and you aren’t persecuting them. I have gone through many of these things and know that even if it supposed to be a friendly debate between to people, it can become a heated argument if everything is not toned own a bit. Have a mediator if need be. But always be what Christ wants you to be, even if you are being persecuted. For it will happen. God’s Word says it will. God’s Word knows it, so read it and find out.