Why Are Christians So Defensive?

There are several factors. But I think lack of knowledge is a big one. Nancy Pearcey explains how this works, “Generations of churched youngsters have been encouraged to shore up their religious commitment by sheer will power, closing their eyes and ears to contrary ideas. This explains why so many churches are full of people who are closed-minded, dogmatic, harsh and judgmental. Only people who understand that Christianity is true to the real world are capable of the relaxed confidence that allows them to be open, patient, and loving toward those who differ from them.”

We need to raise up a new generation of Christians who know what they believe, why they believe it, and why it matters in life (1 Peter 3:15; Col. 4:5-6; 2 Cor. 5:20). Christians need a holistic vision for life that is integrated and compelling. Here is one place to start.

Think Christianly with Jonathan Morrow

Feelings Are Not A Good Foundation For Faithful Living

Feelings are great…in fact I have them all the time! But they are a lousy foundation for our faith. As our culture has shifted from a thinking culture to a feeling culture in the last 50 years, the under 30’s generation has been the most deeply effected. I think Nancy Pearcey is correct in her observation that “Young people whose faith is mostly emotional are likely to retain it only as long as it is making them happy. As soon as a difficult crisis comes along, it will evaporate” (Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals, and Meaning, 16-17). They need to be trained and challenged to think hard about their faith.

Learning to feel our emotions and be able to express them to others is vital for developing a healthy heart (and takes great courage! cf. Prov. 4:23). I’m not downplaying feelings and emotions. I just want to add reason to the equation as well. Imagine if students emerged from our churches equipped to understand what is going on in their hearts and able to use their minds to understand, defend, and commend a Christian worldview (Jude 3)? Why do we have to settle for one or the other? I don’t think we do. That is one of the reasons I wrote Welcome to College to help students (and those who love them) be prepared to walk with Jesus Christ during the exciting and challenging college years. Graduation is coming up and a new batch of students are heading off to college….are they ready? They can be…

Think Christianly with Jonathan Morrow