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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 regret that I lack the time to give a more detailed answer to you, but I can offer you this. If you word-search "faith" in the Bible, you will find, among other things, that: Without faith, you cannot please God. You must believe that He exists, and is a rewarder of those who seek Him. God has given to each of us a measure of faith. By grace we are saved through faith. We are kept by the power of God through faith. Faith is mandatory - without faith, you cannot be saved. BUT - only faith in God. You can believe all you want in a false god, and that faith won't save you. James also speaks of a faith that won't save you, which is a faith that doesn't prove itself in your life. Murderers may claim faith, but theirs isn't the faith the Bible teaches. Just because someone says that they have faith, so what? And just because someone else has a false faith, or faith in a false god, that doesn't mean that faith itself is bad, or that faith in the true and living God isn't required. So my response would be, in a nutshell, that Mr Harris is throwing the baby out with the bathwater, a poor practice indeed. Love in Christ, Mark |