When Josh McDowell Speaks....

I have a very sincere desire to jump up and

yell my agreement!

Last evening the Associates for Biblical Research

hosted a fundraising event at Shady Maple Smorgasbord.

Josh McDowell was the speaker for this event.

I had not heard him live for many years.

I believe the last time was at a Creation Festival

in Mt. Union, Pa.

At that time I was young enough

to be in his targeted audience.

Last evening he chose to speak to 

my generation and older....

so once again he spoke directly 

to me.

His message was one of alarm

and warning.

He related many results of 

surveys taken that show the disconnect

between the generations.

Not your typical eye rolls or youthful 

indifference...no this is something 

completely different.

This is a cultural divide.

One in which most in my generation

and older do not truly grasp how 

far our teens and twenties have gone

from truth.

The acknowledgment that there is one

God and that His Word is 

authoritative and God breathed.

According to his survey results

very few teens and those in their

twenties, within the church, 

would state that this is truth.

He impressed upon the audience the need

to present truth to this generation in new

ways.  Using apologetics and technology.

I agree with Mr. McDowell on many points.

Given that he was there to raise money for

those working in the area of Apologetics I think

that his points were well made.

However, I am going to depart from his

premise just a bit.

I believe that since the Bible is the 

Word of God

and 

since the Holy Spirit is at work

in the hearts and lives of men,

It is still effective 

with or without the use of 

Apologetics to those whom 

the Spirit is calling.

But back to Mr. McDowell's message.

I do agree that we need to engage our 

children in their spiritual lives early.

Using apologetics is one of the best ways

I can think of to do this. 

It is interesting and compelling.

Statistics he showed last evening said 

that if we don't have the hearts of our children by the 

age of 12 

only 4% will 

come to the Lord later.  

WOW!  

That is sobering.

In a world that is so invested in distorting

the word tolerance to mean that everything

is right and good if it is so to you, 

our young people are confused when we then

say that sin is abhorrent to God.

What God might we be speaking of?

How can we know that there is a God?

If my neighbor thinks there is no God

but I want to believe in Him

how can we both be right?

But our society and even many of our 

churches teach us that love is to be 

accepting of false doctrine.

That, my dear friends,

is not love.

That is deception 

with 

sad, sad consequences.

To say that I was inspired would

be putting it lightly.

I was also encouraged because 

in our church fellowship we are seeking

always to capture the childrens hearts

while they are young.

To involve them in the church.

Pastor Mike uses Apologetics often.

He is very much in tune with 

our youth

and the culture.

I am grateful for an evening that 

confirmed many things for us 

and one that I know was uplifting

for Pastor Mike.

This message is not popular....

however, it is true.

Our access to the internet and 

all the smorgasbord of ideas and 

theologies it has to offer make it even 

harder for parents to remain the primary 

influence in the lives of their children.

We must be aware....

very aware.

We must teach our children well.

How to recognize truth.

I know of no better way than to have

them know the Word of God so that it 

can alert them if they begin to go astray.

Not a bad idea for any of us,

if you think about it.....

Have a blessed day.