Coldwater Creek wrote: “I wonder what Andy’s father, Charles Stanley thinks about his son’s views?”
I don’t know either of them, but perhaps you do. If Andy Stanley was accurately quoted in the article, he’s WAY off course. What’s this bunk about the “reputation” of Christianity? This isn’t a popularity contest...it’s about saving people from HELL.
The world crucified our leader, and we should expect no less. If, by God’s grace, we are treated better in these times...be thankful! Harder times will come.
Indeed. But acting like a jerk isn't going to convince folks that you're offering them a way to avoid HELL. More likely, it's a serious incentive for them to avoid YOU, and anybody like you -- which is precisely the mechanism that's highlighted by this poll.
The article is correct about the reputation of Christianity. It is oftentimes undeserved. But I've met enough pharisaical Christians to know exactly where the kids who responded to this survey are coming from.
It's true, you know: an awful lot of folks who Want To Make Sure You Know About Christ are not pleasant folks to be around - they'll sniffily dismiss anything, be it jokes, books, movies, or activities, that doesn't accord with a very narrow view of what "Christians" should do.
That's a problem -- the "Christian" stereotype is fed by those whose behavior matches what is already presented by the hostile media.
If you want to know what does work with younger kids .... it's much gentler than what your fire and brimstone approach would suggest. As St. Paul put it, "I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it." (1 Cor. 3:2)