N. T. Wright on Fox News

N. T. Wright appears on Fox News discussing his new book, Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters. What is impressive to me about Dr. Wright’s discussion is that he presents an intelligent and rational view of Christ without compromising the spiritual truth of his identity. Also, he is able to articulate who Christ is without the traditional, religious terminology that much of the world has already dismissed.

Patient Preaching

There is a story of an extraordinary man who lived in the 6th century named Bishop Aidan. Bede tells about him his Ecclesiastical History of the English People (731). Bede records that when another bishop had returned from an unsuccessful attempt to preach to the English people, Bishop Aidan responded,

“Brother, it seems to me that you were too severe on your ignorant hearers. You should have followed the practice of the Apostles, and begun by giving them the milk of simpler teaching, and gradually nourished them with the word of God until they were capable of greater perfection and able to follow the loftier precepts of Christ.”

As a Bible teacher and a public speaking teacher, I value these words of wisdom. I rejoice when I see God’s truth being presented with a heart of love, compassion, and patience.

The Logic of Abortion

One of my favorite class discussions in our Public Speaking class at Appalachian State is on “Building Powerful Arguments.” In it we talk about logos, pathos, and ethos, and deductive and inductive reasoning. In order to demonstrate how a logical appeal (logos) can be made with a deductive argument, we use the topic of abortion. I lead the class in an attempt to create a deductive argument for a pro-choice and a pro-life position. I emphasize how important it is to be able to accurately articulate the view of the opposing argument (that is, to the satisfaction of one who hold that view). If this simple step were taken in such discussions, much misunderstanding, straw-man arguments, and talking past each other would be eliminated.

Deductive reasoning argues for a claim based primarily on the logical relationships of certain premises. First, the students must establish a major premise. This is an assumed principle that both sides should agree upon. Next is the minor premise. This is where the one logically connects the major premise to his or her claim. A simplified version of a deductive argument (a syllogism) for both sides of the abortion issue may look like this:

Pro-Choice

Major Premise:            Women have a right to control their bodies and # of children.
Minor Premise:            Abortion is an exercise of that right.
Claim:                         Protect abortion rights

Pro-Life
Major Premise:             Taking the life of another human is wrong.
Minor Premise:            Abortion is taking the life of a human.
Claim:                         Stop abortion

There are other ways to argue both sides, but this is a start upon which both sides generally agree. Anyone have any suggestions on how to improve this beginning point for discussion? Next time I will explain how both sides usually criticize the logic of the other.

The Witness of Just “Being There”

“The first necessary element of inductive evangelism is that it is incarnational. Incarnation means “in flesh.”. . . As a communication strategy, incarnation means that God came here personally to earth. . . . Evangelism as incarnational begins with this concept of presence, of “being there.” Just by being there you are communicating, without saying a word. . . . The Christian community in the world not only carries a message, we are the message.”

“The fact of your presence among your lost neighbors is a beginning point for your witness. They are listening. They are watching. They are asking what it means that a person claims to know God and converse with Him. And where we are present, God is communicating. Just as our common humanity ties us to our neighbors, our new life in Christ ties us to God. We are citizens of two worlds. We are here on a mission.”

- Wayne McDill, Making Friends for Christ

“It seems we cannot do anything without communicating something. To stand is to stand somewhere. And both the ‘standing’ and the‘somewhere’ communicate.”

- David Hesselgrave, Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally