Josh McDowell is the author of two of the best selling and best reasoned apologetics books of all time, More than a Carpenter and Evidence that Demands Verdict. So, while it’s not surprising to see him lamenting the decline in morals and the belief in absolute truth, it’s quite shocking to see where he decided to place the blame.
As reported by The Christian Post:
“What has changed everything?” asked the apologist from Campus Crusade for Christ International as he spoke on “Unshakable Truth, Relevant Faith” at the Billy Graham Center in Asheville, N.C.. His answer was, the Internet.
“The Internet has given atheists, agnostics, skeptics, the people who like to destroy everything that you and I believe, the almost equal access to your kids as your youth pastor and you have… whether you like it or not,”
First of all, I don’t believe the Internet has given anyone equal access to my kids because they spend way more time with me, my wife, church, and others who live out their Christian faith than they spend online.
Second, McDowell seems to be implying that in order to successfully pass on your faith to your kids you have to indoctrinate them with Christianity and never let them know anything about other worldviews. I have a major problem with that. I want my kids to know about atheism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and every other –ism. I want them to compare the truth of the Bible with the lies other worldviews perpetuate. The way to pass on our faith to our kids is not to put our hands over their eyes and ears every time they encounter a non-Christian worldview
I do think we absolutely need to protect our children from pornography and sites promoting hate and violence.
And I do think there is a real risk that if parents do not teach their kids the fundamentals of the Christian faith, if they don’t live out their faith, and if they don’t explain the fallacies of other worldviews that children free to roam the Internet on their own, that they will drift to the dominant, post-modern, relativistic worldview.
But let’s not blame or fear the Internet. Let’s prepare our children for the inevitable exposure they will have to other worldviews both offline and online.
What do you think? Is the Internet the “greatest threat to Christians?”
25 Comments
I think that the internet gives us the greatest vehicle to fulfill the Great Commission – Go into all the world and preach the Gospel. What easier way to reach hungry souls half-way around the world. I know that I have people from all over the world logging onto my site each day. I need to have something to feed them when they do. I don't have the capacity to physically go to China – but I know that my site is available to the people there.
Gord, that's true. The Internet is a conduit for evil and we must do our best to filter that out, but it has brought the gospel to more people than perhaps anyone in history. Global Media Outreach is seeing somewhere around 100,000 indicated decisions for Christ every day online.
"There was no thing made that was not made by him." God made all things good." There is no tool, instrument, device, machine or otherwise – which is inherently evil – in and of itself. It takes the mind of man, and the influence of Satan – to take the things that God made "good," and use them for evil.
"The things which men call good: God calls evil, and the things which men call evil – God calls good." Who is confused? It is certainly not God! The biggest threat to Christianity is still the same thing it has always been. The influence of darkness (which is everywhere) that appears to be light. Does the Word not say that in the last days that Satan shall appear as an angel of light?
All preaching – in Church or otherwise first need to understand that NO MAN can take the Word of God and "rightly divide His Word of truth," without the holy spirit leading and guiding every single definition found in the Holy Bible.
"my word is spirit, and it is the spirit of life. (Jesus) Only the holy Ghost (the spirit of Christ) can teach men how to live and use the Word to defeat the powers of darkness. "For this cause was I sent, that I may undo the works of Satan."
Only by and through HIM can we live in the "righteousness of Christ." No man has "righteousness" in and of himself – but through the Holy Ghost – the gift of His righteousness is imputed into those whom doeth the will of the Father.
"Whomsoever doeth the will of My Father, is equal to the Holy angels." (Jesus)
"The Holy Spirit shall lead men into all truth."
Who is looking for the real truth? (which only the Holy Spirit can teach) It is only the truth (his truth) which can set you free from the powers of darkness and Satan.
This gift is free – it is His truth, and those whosoever He giveth it to – He gives it because they were obeying the first and greatest commandment:
"Love the LORD with all of you mind, body, and strength, and love thy neighbor, as thyself." Then " seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness."
This cannot be done – without first looking to the LORD for every answer. When you do this – HE gives them, because you have proved to the LORD that your heart is in the right place, (In Him)
"For when you stand with Him – whom can stand against thee."? "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit."
His spirit is available to all whom come to the Father – through Jesus, and through Jesus alone.
Will you come to Him, and cast your cares upon Him? He is waiting, and watching.