Witnessing/Debating

[BigBird]

hello everyone,
i am starting to debate Christianity/Spirituality with one of my good friends who is not a Christian. He is very smart, mostly into Eastern mysticism type stuff. Anyways, I ask for your prayers regarding our discussions, I'm not very comfortable with this stuff, but here I am diving right in...

Chow for now!

[polka_dot]

For sure, debating can be a pretty stressful thing.

[smartash]

instead of stressing yourself with words like "debating" why not think of it as conversation. debate implies a right or wrong which goes on to imply a "me vs. him" frame of mind, which is not Christlike at all. your friend is your neighbor, not an opponent.
you want your friend to understand where you're coming from? ask him questions, show him you're open to hear the things about his knowledge of eastern mysticism that you don;t understand. in this way your attitude is obviously more open and accepting of him than the approach that he's wrong. there are easily things you can learn from him, and him from you, so if its more of an open conversation there's more freedom for God to work. this way your friend wont feel attacked or become defensive (and dont you feel this way either) and close himself off from God working on his heart.
i've been reading a book called "A New Kind of Christian" by Brian McClaren, and one really awesome point he makes is that modern Christians act like WE own God, which isnt true. we're here to serve God. we're all his people.
God can use you as an instrument for your friend, but the opposite is likewise: God could be using your Friend in order to open YOUR eyes about something. so be open to that, and God Bless your conversation! may He bless your friend through your willingness to share!

[Vlad!]

David: it can be hard to think of a good argument when you're on the spot. I'll pray for you.

[BigBird]

this way your friend wont feel attacked or become defensive (and dont you feel this way either) and close himself off from God working on his heart.

Oh I think it is more of a conversation/discussion. I did use the wrong word there.

[smartash]

looking back i see i was a little harsh, i am sorry. i've just really drawn into this book i'm reading and have become convinced that Christians and the Church need to take a serious look at the way we've been approaching evanglelism over the past era of modernity and realize that we're at the dawn of a new era, postmodernity, and our "methods" need some reconsideration/reformation/innovation to keep the Kingdom of God at hand instead of old hat.

i seriously suggest more people read this book, "A New Kind of Christian" or anything by Brian McClaren. it's eye-opening and so very challenging!