C Michael Patton
C. Michael Patton is the primary contributor to the Parchment and Pen/Credo Blog. He has been in ministry for nearly twenty years as a pastor, author, speaker, and blogger.
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Th.M. Dallas Theological Seminary (2001), president of Credo House Ministries and Credo Courses, author of Now that I'm a Christian (Crossway, 2014) Increase My Faith (Credo House, 2011), and The Theology Program (Reclaiming the Mind Ministries, 2001-2006), host of Theology Unplugged, and primary blogger here at Parchment and Pen. But, most importantly, husband to a beautiful wife and father to four awesome children. Michael is available for speaking engagements.
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2 replies to "Theology Unplugged: How to Talk about God (and Not Lose Your Influence)"
I’m not so sure that our influence is such a factor when the Word of God is let loose upon someone’s ears.
Maybe, though…but I would hope not too much.
Steve,
Our influence is only on the malleable seekers at this point. And as such they are influenced not by God but the idea OF a God. Those who consider God the most, the unbelievers, skeptics, those really asking questions, look at the fruit of the church and it’s justification of it’s actions as right and shakes their head looking at an insurmountable wall of hypocrisy to get past to deal with a chat about God.
Until they see God, and experience God, talking about God is pointless.
The anti abortion ranters, the no Gay marriage fanatics, bigots both, ANTI Christ both, but the Church justifies that behavior because in it’s eyes, not God’s it makes them feel good like they are doing something.
You can’t sell a GOD IS LOVE “slogan” when you show God is vitriol, fascist, and unloving.
So, if we want influence, we need to stop apologetics, and start INSIDE the Church. You need a revolution.
At the time of the reformation, something changed, the West grew out of that, a Church that is a lot more concerned about what it knows, than what it does.
That’s like trying to learn to throw left handed if you are a righty, by watching film on it. You need practice to make a real change.