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NASB | 1 Peter 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy--acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. [Is 8:12, 13] |
Subject: How do we respond to Sam Harris? |
Bible Note: Hi Parable, I'm not sure I know what you're looking for? I provided an answer with a basis. You and I are not accountable (Or answerable) to Mr. Harris. 1. God is Sovereign! Mr. Harris has not established the definitive, unanswerable, unassailable argument! 2. Changed lives prove ministry. That was Paul's defense in 2 Cor. 3:1-3ff: "Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." 3. Ours is to preach the Gospel- Rom. 1:16! It is the POWER of God... As H.A. Ironside was once challenged by an atheist to debate, he shut him up by asking to bring all those who had been changed for the better by his preaching (Christianity)- the atheist had no reply and declined to pursue the matter! How many lives will or has Mr. Harris changed by being a Philosopher? A Best-Selling author? How many have come off drugs, had their marriages healed, become better fathers or husbands by his message? There is no life-changing power in his message! No one is coming to eternal life by his "preaching"! 4. I do understand 1 Peter 3:15. The operable verb is "to those who ASK for the hope that is in you". Has Mr. Harris asked or demanded you to defend your belief? I do not owe it to him, nor do I feel any obligation to respond to him. Parable, I do not know this man and further do not plan on either buying or reading his book! Might I ask, why you feel so compelled to reply or defend his accusations? Do you feel he has established some merit in his hypothesis? Do you feel the Bible or the Christian faith comes short in some way? Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |