Agnostic Admits to Missing Jesus

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[Janet Easson Martin]

This is one of the most moving conversations I heard about years ago that I cannot forget.

An atheist interviews an evangelist turned agnostic.  This article describes exactly that heart-rending portion of the exchange.  The atheist at the time was Lee Strobel and the agnostic was the roommate and fellow evangelist of Billy Graham.  


Charles Templeton: Missing Jesus

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/charles-templeton-missing-jesus/

[Del]

J.E.M., thank you for that post and link. I found it very interesting and strangely appropriate.

The penultimate phrase: “And if I may put it this way,” he said as his voice began to crack, ‘I . . . miss . . . him!” presents for me a classic irony, especially in the context of this forum. I also miss the Nazarene, but not in the same way as Mr. Templeton. I miss him the same way that many on this forum miss Jim McCotter.

[Janet Easson Martin]

You said you came looking for particular kind of people on here so that you could help and enlighten them.  At least you’ve shown your hand.  Now, it is clear that your search was intended to lead them away from Jesus, to spread lies about him, to sever them from their faith in Him.  Like OldTimer said you have gotten involved in something worse than GCx.  Though you may not be aware, you are very scarily and dangerously offering them a road to ruin; and if they never knew Jesus (perhaps like yourself) you are persuading them to be escorted into Hell.

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded,
you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.”

Matthew 23:13-15

[Del]

"At least you’ve shown your hand." Let’s see, that’s the third time I have been “recognized” on this forum for my honesty. It’s a lot like being recognized for not robbing a bank. Thank you…I guess.

As for "looking for particular kind of people on here so that you could help and enlighten them", I think I said as much in my discourse with OldTimer. I am not interested in converting anyone, and the only people I want to lead away from Jesus are other Jews.  (By the way, when was the last time you saw a Jew knocking on doors in a Christian neighborhood?)

With regard to the scary and dangerous warnings you mentioned from Jesus, I have adopted the program suggested to Dorothy when she visited the Wizard of Oz. I pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. In fact, I consider the whole of the NT precisely the same way a born-again Christian should consider the Book of Mormon or the New World Translation of the JW's.

I think it may be worth noting that my family and I didn't come to our present convictions because we were recruited or "evangelized" by anyone. We arrived by way of examination and study regarding our fundamental beliefs. It has been a twenty-year journey.    

[Janet Easson Martin]

My Savior plainly states in His Eternal Word, “He who hates me hates my Father as well”  (John 15:23).

[Del]

J.E.M., You seem like a nice person who was hurt deeply, and who is trying to do a good thing. I don't think you want to have this particular discussion.