@BrokStifanos@mercyazeb Listening to Astu’s album feels like standing in God’s presence. Each track is a prayer, a reflection, and a life-changing moment. I don’t think there’s been an album like this in Ethiopian Protestant before. Every time I find myself crying when I am listening, that's it.
You nailed it. I’ve seen people intellectually attracted by apologetics but still unchanged. It’s only when the gospel touches their conscience that real transformation begins. Thanks for the reminder to focus on what truly matters!
The Place of Apologetics
While apologetics (defenses of the faith) play an important part in evangelism, it's vital to realize that they have a limited function in reaching the lost. If we confine our witness to arguing about the existence of God, the inspiration of Scripture, the age of the earth, etc., we are like a man who goes fishing with bait, but no hook. While he may attract the fish, they will end up fat and happy ... and they will get away. The function of bait is to attract the fish and disguise the hook. When the fish come around, the fisherman pulls the hook into the jaw, and catches his fish. Apologetics are the bait, and the hook is God's Law. It is the Law that addresses a man's conscience and brings the knowledge of sin. So, don't spend too much time fishing in the intellect. Do what Jesus did-go for the conscience.
There goes another minute. Gone forever. Go share your faith while you still have time.
@Aggazia I see your point, but his statement clearly refers to salvation, as it says no one can be a Christian without realizing their hopelessness. Personally, I didn’t realize my hopelessness before salvation. Christ saved me, and only then did I understand who I was without Him.
I think Paul’s conversion shows the opposite of your point. He wasn’t seeking Christ or recognizing his hopelessness; he was persecuting Christians. However, Christ sought him while he was still an enemy. That’s grace: Christ coming to us, even when we’re blind to our need.
No Man can be a Christian without realizing his utter hopelessness. It is of no use to talk about ‘coming to Christ’ if you don't see your hopelessness and your helplessness. You can't just come to Him for help or something else.Ow how I love the book of Romans.