The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Muslim becomes Christian and so does his wives...

Denny,

For me, there was no offense in your ridiculous analogies since they were obviously highly exaggerated, much akin to the political satire and cartoons seen in some newspapers.

I particularly liked your use of "beheading".

Yes, there are differences in Joe's and my approaches. Again, just so there is no misunderstanding, I always begin with the presupposition that one's profession of faith is potentially spurious, especially given the many false gospels which are in the world today. I have always show charity and always will to one who professes Christ.. TO HIS/HER FACE, but retain a healthy skepticism on the inside UNTIL the person can be "examined", either formally or socially. I think one would be very foolish to do otherwise. Let's take Billy Graham's own estimation of the "success" of his Crusades. He estimates that perhaps 5% of all those who "come forward" are actually saved. That leaves 95% of those who "asked Jesus into their hearts" who are unsaved yet profess Christ. Personally, I think Graham is guilty of hyperbole; i.e., far less than 5% are actually saved since the true Gospel isn't preached nor taught by him nor those in his organization. (Disclaimer: yes, it is possible that there are exceptions, albeit I think improbable.)

Joe also used the same exaggerated methodology when he wrote I deemed all who professed Christ as "liars". <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/giggle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/nope.gif" alt="" /> I simply believe that the vast majority of those in our day who profess to be Christians are deceived and are yet dead in their sins despite what they profess, which in most cases is faulty to begin with. Contrary to U.S. jurisprudence which considers all men innocent until proven guilty, I prefer to take the biblical perspective which sees all men as guilty before God by nature. And again, with all the false religions which proliferate our world today with their respective false gospels, especially within the broad spectrum of so-called Christendom, I simply believe that prudence dictates one be skeptical, cautious and discerning before extending the right hand of fellowship to anyone who professes to be united to Christ by faith.

In His grace,