Re: [asa] What causes students to move from faith?

At 03:48 PM 9/6/2006, James Mahaffy wrote:

>On 9/5/2006 at 10:50 PM, Roger G. Olson wrote:
>
>Well, what are we gonna do, Merv? What about the poor ignorant
>slob who's led to Christ under the false pretext of some despicable
>representative of a YEC "ministry" who proffers YEC propaganda as
>"proof" of the veracity of Christianity? What happens when this
>poor slob studies some science
>and realizes that YEC is cobblers? Uh oh! There goes the
>faith! ... ~ Roger

@ Phillipians Chapter 1

(vs 15) "Some preach Christ even of envy and strife..." The motive
behind some preaching is wrong. As long as they are not preaching a
different gospel, but are preaching a pure gospel, then "Christ is
proclaimed".

(vs 16) "Set for the defence of __the gospel__".

(vs 17) Paul again refers to the selfish motives of some.

(vs 18) "What then"? What reeeally matters? Paul didn't approve of
their attitude, yet, _if "the good news" (Christ) was proclaimed_,
he was happy.

Those listening to "the good news" have no way of knowing if the
preacher is preaching for the wrong reasons (ie: selfish motives).
They hear the gospel.

There always was, and always will be preachers who preach "Truth"
with bad motives and people who worship with wrong motives, also.

Puny man can't hinder God, or thwart the plan he is unfolding in the least.

>"....Have there been any good studies on what causes US students to
>move toward unbelief? ..." ~ James

@ It's not possible to lose or move away from something you never
had in the first place.

John 6:65, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come
to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father."

Likewise, it's not possible to thwart what Christ said He would do:

John 6:44, "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me
draws him; and I will raise _him_ up on the last day."

Your fears are unfounded.

~ Janice

To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with
"unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
Received on Thu Sep 7 11:43:50 2006