Is Christianity anti-science? Are Christian morals anti-woman, or anti-gay? Does Christianity help the poor? Can Christianity give an answer for tragedy?
In short, while we certainly believe Christianity is true, is Christianity good for the world? This is the question that The Colson Center helped to answer for those who gathered at their annual Wilberforce Weekend conference in Washington, DC this past weekend.
Speakers including Rick Warren, John Lennox, Star Parker, and John Stonestreet provided compelling answers to the toughest criticisms leveled at Christians today.
While I wasn’t able to attend the event in person, I enjoyed watching some of the sessions via the live webstream. The opening session on Friday night was full of hopeful, redeeming messages as Marjorie Dannenfelser of Susan B. Anthony List shared about pro-life victories including more on the recent bills banning abortion altogether in some states.
Rick Warren gave a compelling message on the church being the “greatest force for good on Earth” and that the Body of Christ is the instrument God wants to use; that our faith is a preaching, teaching, and healing faith. He went on to say that we should never be ashamed of the church because it will be the only thing that lasts after governments have been destroyed. He spoke about our Christian convictions stressing that to love someone means acceptance, but not approval.
I also enjoyed hearing Jackie Hill Perry’s message where she shared her testimony of coming to Christ at the age of 19 and leaving the gay lifestyle. She discussed the issue: Is Christianity harmful for sexual minorities?
Here are some tweets with great quotes from the weekend:
“In the beginning, God created the world—we live IN God’s world.” @JBStonestreet
“Our conscience doesn’t belong to the state, it belongs to God.” @JBStonestreet
“Roe locked down injustice. Imposing abortion on demand until birth.” @marjoriesba
“Serving Christ by serving the least of these is the Christian heritage.” @marjoriesba
“Christianity will always be harmful to whatever it is we have made our God.” @JackieHillPerry
“Wherever churches empower and emancipate Christians to use their giftedness, the church explodes.” @RickWarren
“The church is a sleeping giant, and if it wakes up, it will change the world.” @RickWarren
It was the ministry’s intent that those attending the conference would leave with a redemptive vision for their role in today’s world. And I have to say that for me, I was so inspired, encouraged and challenged by these messages with the reminder that God’s in control and He has great plans for us in this world, even when things look bleak.
So, how about you? Are you feeling hopeful or discouraged right now? I encourage you to keep looking up, to rejoice over what God is doing more than complaining about our enemies. To act in faith—not fear. To live empowered by God’s words over what our enemies are saying. And, to rely more on God’s power. – taken from former Atlanta Fire Chief, Kelvin Cochran’s message on being prepared for the fiery trial
There’s no doubt that this world is confusing, but we hope that every day as your listeners are tuning in to BreakPoint, they will gain clarity.
For more on the Wilberforce Weekend and the recipient of their annual award, go here.
