Connecting Christ: How to Discuss Jesus in a World of Diverse Paths
We live in a multifaith society: an ever-growing, diverse cultural climate, where no religion is viewed as having a monopoly on truth. It is important when that Christ-followers not only share the Word of God but also listen and learn how to interact meaningfully with those of diverse perspectives as we engage in life’s most important conversations.
Connecting Christ encourages believers to be not only better communicators and witnesses but also listeners to people of other worldviews and traditions—skills that are crucial in defending against today’s negative connotations and ineffective approaches associated with Christian evangelism.
With extensive commentary from leaders of various walks of faith and life — from Judaism to Islam and Buddhism to atheism —theologian and author Dr. Paul Louis Metzger offers a spiritual compass to help navigate the intimidating yet critical dialogue of conveying our faith in Christ. Filled with practical guidance and insight into controversial topics, such as hell, fascism, and homosexuality, Connecting Christ reveals that there is a way of evangelizing that is neither disengaging monologue nor silent, lifestyle ministry but is, instead, an approach for evangelism and dialogue to go hand-in-hand.
We must remove ourselves as the stumbling block to salvation for others and embrace a way to proclaim the uncommon, compassionate God revealed in Jesus Christ—the Savior this world is dying to know.
Top Highlights
“But no matter how good the argument or how contextual, winsome, and striking the message, nothing replaces sacrificial love for others; this is how trust is built. The community of faith must become the apologetic for the faith: a holistic rationale for faith in Christ involving interpersonal and life-on-life encounters.” (source)
“Relational-incarnational apologetics demands of us our thoughts and money and every drop of our blood, sweat, and tears as a sacrifice of praise in response to God’s sacrificial love poured out for us.” (source)
“the way churches operate these initiatives may attract seekers to the programs instead of into community” (source)
“He wants to emphasize that God is beyond naming, categorizing, and objectifying. And so Kyogen reasoned that he does not deny God as such; however, he would add that whatever God is, it is not separate from us.” (source)
“Christians must learn to live, navigate, and engage other traditions in the context of such cultural and intellectual complexity, variety, and ambiguity.” (source)
Product Details
- Title : Connecting Christ: How to Discuss Jesus in a World of Diverse Paths
- Author: Metzger, Paul Louis
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson
- Publication Date: 2012
- ISBN: 9780849949975