Monthly Archives: May 2020

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Another Monday morning. Already pushing hot in Tucson. The forecast? Afternoon high 104 with no possibility of rain.

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Not wanting to work up a sweat Ernie and I slowly walked to the bus stop to catch the ride which would take us to our downtown jobs. That’s when Ernie asked, Why are you a Christian?

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I stumbled, caught my balance, and said. “Well, I guess because I’ve always been a Christian?”

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Ernie glanced at me. “Yeah, but is there any other reason?”

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I glanced back at him. I felt a little exposed and annoyed as I said, “Uh, another reason? What other reason do I need? No, I just believe it.”

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“Okay, so you’re a Christian because you’ve always been a Christian is that it?”

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“Yep, my grandma is a Christian. My mom and dad are Christians. Therefore, I’m a Christian.”

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“Fine so you’re saying you’re a Christian because they are?”

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“Well, how about I’m a Christian because God called me to believe?” I said this although I didn’t want to admit I really hadn’t spent time reflecting on why I’m a Christian.

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Ernie knew I was offended but he challenged me with, “How about you’re a Christian because it’s true?

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I jumped on that. “Right, I’m a Christian because of the Bible.”

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“I said because it’s true. I didn’t say anything about the Bible. What if there was no Bible?” “Would you have any well-founded evidence for the truth of Christianity without the Bible?”

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Totally miffed I said, “Where are you going with this Ernie?”

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We stood beside the bus stop bench. Ernie turned to me and said, “OK, listen, a Buddhist can say ‘I’ve always been a Buddhist because my family is Buddhist therefore I’m a Buddhist.’ Or, a Buddhist could claim ‘I just believe! I don’t have to have any other reason.’ Wouldn’t this amount to blind faith or accidental faith or faith founded on someone else’s experience?”

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I was reluctant to agree. “I guess, maybe.”

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“Muslims could say the same things. Atheists could say the same things. Any religion could say the same things. Their proof is based on what? Could any of these substantiate, ‘Because it’s true,’ with reasonable evidence?”

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“Uh, I don’t know. What do you think?”

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“Well, how about Christianity?” Ernie said. “Why is it true? Is there any solid proof Christianity is true?”

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My face flushed. “Yes, I believe so.”

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 “What would you offer as evidence? Why do you believe Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life?”

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I felt set up. I said, “The Bible tells me so.”

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“OK the Bible, that’s another discussion, but what besides the Bible?”

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“Wait a second that’s twice you dissed the Bible. Isn’t the Bible admissible?”

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“What if it isn’t? What would you say?”

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“I don’t know … I’d probably walk away.”

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“And how would that be helpful to the person asking you why you are a Christian?”

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Losing it I said, “OK, OK, what would you say?”

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“Let me offer this, Jesus predicted his death and resurrection and it happened. Lots of people saw Jesus alive after his death and burial. That makes Christianity true. Jesus was dead and then alive.”

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“That’s it?”

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“That’s more than enough because it’s legitimate proof backed by eyewitnesses who were there when it happened.

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“Wow! Really?”

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“This is ample intelligent evidence for why I am a Christian. Someone can easily fact check me if they have questions or doubts. This event didn’t take place in secret.”

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I began to see Ernie’s point. “Yeah, Okay.”

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I was sweating as our downtown bus stopped for us. The driver scanned our passes. We sat down. The A/C felt good. We were on our way to work.

And I thought as I rode, what is the reason I call myself a follower of Jesus? 

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Music:

Plumb Need You Now

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