From: John Burgeson (burgythree@hotmail.com)
Date: Mon Dec 16 2002 - 13:27:06 EST
Jim commented: "I would like to mention one thing. My exiting Christianity
WAS NOT A CHOICE. It was sort of like coming to a
red light at an intersection. As nice as is would be if the darn thing
were green, reality is reality."
I understand pretty well your point, and as I did the same thing once, I
quite accept it.
"Unfortunately, your post doesn't leave
much to comment on, as it is merely a referral."
As Wally poited out -- causal exchanges here are not the answer. The
referral to Downing's book is sincere. Before I changed from ignosticism to
Xtianity a number of such references were made to me by friends. I was not
at all impressed by some of the books, was more impressed by others. For
some time I resisted reading such at all -- but finally had to give them a
hearing. Whether or not they were instrumental in my conversion back to
Xtianity I really don't know -- it has been 40 years now. I suspect they
were contributing factors. It is in hat sense I recommended (1) my review of
Downing's book in the Dec PERSPECTIVES, my longer article on the
relationship of Downing's book to Blaise Pascal (available on Metanexus)
and, of course, the book itself. It is not a "You must be converted" book,
but rather an account of how one person was converted, and it is most
interesting reading.
Have a Merry Christmas.
Cordially,
John W. Burgeson (Burgy)
www.burgy.50megs.com
>From: "Jim Eisele" <jeisele@starpower.net>
>To: "John Burgeson" <hoss_radbourne@hotmail.com>,
><wallyshoes@mindspring.com>, <michael.andrea.r@ukonline.co.uk>
>CC: <asa@calvin.edu>, <dickfischer@genesisproclaimed.org>
>Subject: Re: Historical evidence for Jesus
>Date: Sun, 15 Dec 2002 18:18:41 -0000
>
>Hi John,
>
>It's nice of you to write :-)
>
> >Wally wrote (about a month ago): "The proper response is manly atheism.
> >Seize the bull by the horns and live life without the God that does not
> >exist anyhow. ... IMO that leads one to eventually think the problem
>through
> >completely and tends to result in the path followed by C. S. Lewis: From
> >atheism to theism to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ."
>
> >A recent book, THE MOST RELUCTANT CONVERT, by David Downing is a great
> >description of the process C. S. Lewis went through. The Dec 2002 issue
>of
> >PERSPECTIVES has my review on it -- an earlier version of my review,
>along
> >with ties to the thoughts of Blaise Pascal, was published two months ago
>on
> >Metanexus.
>
> >Jim -- I really recommend this particular book very highly. What C. S.
>Lewis
> >went through, I also encountered, and it may be what you are beginning to
> >encounter also. Even if not, it is fascinating reading.
>
>I hope the ASA continues to press the weakness of creationism (which I,
>personally, just about equate with YEC). I do think this cancer in our
>culture is best opposed by Christians (that gives Christians an escape
>path like I had in Creation and Time, by Hugh Ross).
>
>But, obviously I am not the first person to stumble across intellectual
>challenges to Christianity. I would like to mention one thing. My
>exiting Christianity WAS NOT A CHOICE. It was sort of like coming to a
>red light at an intersection. As nice as is would be if the darn thing
>were green, reality is reality. Unfortunately, your post doesn't leave
>much to comment on, as it is merely a referral.
>
>Jim
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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