part 2: misconceptions about the christian faith

Part 2: Misconceptions about the Christian FaithPart 2: Misconceptions about the Christian Faith

Christian belief is inherently destructive

Christian belief is inherently destructive

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY:MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY:

“Our scientists produce miracles almost daily.” “Miracles?” The word “miracle” was certainly not part of the vocabulary around Harvard’s Fairchild Science Building. Miracles were left for the School of Divinity.“You sound skeptical,” Kohler said.” I thought you were a

“Our scientists produce miracles almost daily.” “Miracles?” The word “miracle” was certainly not part of the vocabulary around Harvard’s Fairchild Science Building. Miracles were left for the School of Divinity.“You sound skeptical,” Kohler said.” I thought you were a

religious symbologist. Do you not believe in miracles?”“I’m undecided on miracles,” Langdon said…“Perhaps miracle is the wrong word. I was simply trying to speak your language.”“My language?” Langdon was suddenly uncomfortable. “Not to disappoint you, sir, but I study

religious symbologist. Do you not believe in miracles?”“I’m undecided on miracles,” Langdon said…“Perhaps miracle is the wrong word. I was simply trying to speak your language.”“My language?” Langdon was suddenly uncomfortable. “Not to disappoint you, sir, but I study

religious symbology – I’m an academic, not a priest.”Kohler slowed suddenly and turned, his gaze softening a bit. “Of course. How simple of me. One does not need to have cancer to analyze its symptoms.”Langdon had never heard it put quite that way.”

religious symbology – I’m an academic, not a priest.”Kohler slowed suddenly and turned, his gaze softening a bit. “Of course. How simple of me. One does not need to have cancer to analyze its symptoms.”Langdon had never heard it put quite that way.”

“The brotherhood held that the superstitious dogma spewed forth by the church was mankind’s greatest enemy. They feared that if religion continued to promote pious myth as absolute fact, scientific progress would halt, and mankind would be doomed to an ignorant future of senseless holy wars.”

“The brotherhood held that the superstitious dogma spewed forth by the church was mankind’s greatest enemy. They feared that if religion continued to promote pious myth as absolute fact, scientific progress would halt, and mankind would be doomed to an ignorant future of senseless holy wars.”

Luke 6:27-28 (NLT)Luke 6:27-28 (NLT)

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”

Matthew 7:12 (NLT)Matthew 7:12 (NLT)

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.”“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.”

Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”

John 13:34-35 (NLT)John 13:34-35 (NLT)

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

The Bible is a book of fairy tales

The Bible is a book of fairy tales

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY:MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY:

“Holy scripture is stories... legends and history of man’s quest to understand his own need for meaning.”

“Holy scripture is stories... legends and history of man’s quest to understand his own need for meaning.”

1 Corinthians 15:4 (NLT)1 Corinthians 15:4 (NLT)

He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Types of Writings in the Bible:

HistoricalFigurative

Poetic

Psalm 22:1-2 (NLT)Psalm 22:1-2 (NLT)

My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me? Why do you remain so distant? Why do you ignore my cries for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief.

My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me? Why do you remain so distant? Why do you ignore my cries for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief.

Types of Writings in the Bible:

HistoricalFigurative

PoeticInstructiveDoctrinalProphetic

Christianity is just one option among many

Christianity is just one option among many

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY:MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY:

“Religion is like language or dress. We gravitate toward the practices with which we were raised. In the end, though, we are all proclaiming the same thing. That life has meaning. That we are grateful for the power that created us.” Langdon was intrigued. “So

“Religion is like language or dress. We gravitate toward the practices with which we were raised. In the end, though, we are all proclaiming the same thing. That life has meaning. That we are grateful for the power that created us.” Langdon was intrigued. “So

you’re saying that whether you are a Christian or a Muslim simply depends on where you were born?” “Isn’t it obvious? Look at the diffusion of religion around the globe.” “So faith is random?” “Hardly. Faith is universal. Our

you’re saying that whether you are a Christian or a Muslim simply depends on where you were born?” “Isn’t it obvious? Look at the diffusion of religion around the globe.” “So faith is random?” “Hardly. Faith is universal. Our

specific methods for understanding it are arbitrary. Some of us pray to Jesus, some of us go to Mecca, some of us study subatomic particles. In the end we are all just searching for truth, that which is greater than ourselves.”

specific methods for understanding it are arbitrary. Some of us pray to Jesus, some of us go to Mecca, some of us study subatomic particles. In the end we are all just searching for truth, that which is greater than ourselves.”

John 14:6 (NLT)John 14:6 (NLT)

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

1 John 5:11-12 (NLT)1 John 5:11-12 (NLT)

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

Acts 4:11-12 (NLT)Acts 4:11-12 (NLT)

“For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures… There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

“For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures… There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

1 Timothy 1:5-6 (NLT)1 Timothy 1:5-6 (NLT)

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

Romans 1:16 (NLT)Romans 1:16 (NLT)

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…

Part 2: Misconceptions about the Christian FaithPart 2: Misconceptions about the Christian Faith