WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:10.230 Following Jesus isn't always easy, but it's not complicated. 00:00:10.410 --> 00:00:13.800 Join us each week as we work to make faith simple. 00:00:14.010 --> 00:00:15.630 This is simple Faith. 00:00:19.230 --> 00:00:20.670 Hey, welcome back to Simple Faith. 00:00:20.670 --> 00:00:24.030 I'm your host, rusty George, and man, I'm excited for where we're going in our 00:00:24.030 --> 00:00:26.245 mini series on relational apologetics. 00:00:27.044 --> 00:00:29.625 We've talked about the importance of connection and really honing 00:00:29.625 --> 00:00:31.365 our empathetic listening skills. 00:00:31.365 --> 00:00:34.035 If you've missed the previous two episodes, I encourage you to go 00:00:34.035 --> 00:00:35.775 back and listen to those two first. 00:00:36.555 --> 00:00:40.635 But now in episode three, we're diving into a crucial aspect of building 00:00:40.635 --> 00:00:44.894 those bridges, which is finding common ground in a very diverse world, 00:00:47.550 --> 00:00:53.445 in a world filled with a huge amount of differences in beliefs and perspectives. 00:00:54.675 --> 00:00:57.885 The job of just sharing our faith can feel pretty daunting. 00:00:59.115 --> 00:01:03.675 How do we connect with those who see the world so completely differently? 00:01:04.995 --> 00:01:10.635 Well, according to relational apologetics, the answer =lies in identifying the shared 00:01:10.635 --> 00:01:13.875 threads woven through our common humanity. 00:01:15.045 --> 00:01:20.085 The longings values and experiences that bind us together regardless 00:01:20.085 --> 00:01:22.215 of our individual beliefs. 00:01:22.755 --> 00:01:23.325 That's right. 00:01:23.415 --> 00:01:25.605 It's easy to get caught up in the differences, isn't it? 00:01:26.265 --> 00:01:29.115 We can focus so much on the theological distinctions. 00:01:29.415 --> 00:01:32.865 We forget that we're all just people trying to make sense of this life. 00:01:33.405 --> 00:01:37.185 Finding that common ground isn't about watering down what we believe. 00:01:37.605 --> 00:01:41.175 It's about finding a starting point for a real conversation. 00:01:43.720 --> 00:01:47.055 One of the most fundamental areas of common ground lies in 00:01:47.055 --> 00:01:48.825 our universal human longings. 00:01:49.410 --> 00:01:53.320 Across cultures and belief systems, people are longing for 00:01:53.320 --> 00:01:57.070 purpose, love, justice, and beauty. 00:01:57.520 --> 00:02:01.210 These are all the deep seated desires that resonate in everyone's heart. 00:02:01.780 --> 00:02:02.380 Think about it. 00:02:02.440 --> 00:02:05.890 Doesn't everyone at some level want to know that their life matters? 00:02:05.890 --> 00:02:08.560 Don't we all crave connection and love? 00:02:09.115 --> 00:02:12.084 Even when people express those needs in different ways or look for 00:02:12.084 --> 00:02:16.405 fulfillment in different places, the underlying desire is often the same. 00:02:17.035 --> 00:02:20.995 These shared longings can be powerful bridges in our conversations. 00:02:21.355 --> 00:02:25.555 In fact, author Todd Rose highlights that many of the perceived polarization 00:02:25.825 --> 00:02:28.105 in American politics is an illusion. 00:02:28.555 --> 00:02:31.584 We may sharply disagree on the process, but we're actually 00:02:31.675 --> 00:02:33.475 sharing the same aspirations. 00:02:33.805 --> 00:02:38.515 The American Aspirations Index was populace's effort to understand the 00:02:38.515 --> 00:02:42.625 private trade off priorities that the public has for the future of the country. 00:02:43.644 --> 00:02:47.215 We simply asked participants whether they thought we were more 00:02:47.215 --> 00:02:49.075 divided or united as a country. 00:02:49.825 --> 00:02:54.385 Not surprisingly, 82% of respondents said we were more divided. 00:02:55.075 --> 00:02:59.485 And half of those people said we were extremely divided as a country, 00:03:00.565 --> 00:03:05.125 and yet when we put those same exact people into this private opinion 00:03:05.125 --> 00:03:07.255 instrument, it tells a different story. 00:03:08.485 --> 00:03:12.925 If we take politics out of it and just look at demographics, regardless of 00:03:13.015 --> 00:03:19.704 your gender, race, geography, income, education level, we share eight of the 00:03:19.704 --> 00:03:22.405 10 top priorities we have in common. 00:03:23.290 --> 00:03:27.580 But the disagreement over what those aspirations mean and how to pursue them 00:03:27.820 --> 00:03:29.950 is where we spend most of our time. 00:03:30.310 --> 00:03:32.890 And to be fair, those are pretty big differences. 00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:36.490 So how do we create connection with someone who thinks so differently? 00:03:37.135 --> 00:03:42.145 By keeping a focus on the goals, we're able to more productively disagree on the 00:03:42.145 --> 00:03:48.865 processes, but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, 00:03:48.895 --> 00:03:53.215 goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control against such things. 00:03:53.215 --> 00:03:54.475 There is no law. 00:03:55.165 --> 00:03:58.555 Those who belong to Christ's Jesus have crucified the flesh 00:03:58.795 --> 00:04:00.655 with its passions and desires. 00:04:01.329 --> 00:04:06.129 If how we achieve our aspirations is where we are getting divided. 00:04:06.640 --> 00:04:09.759 Paul's reminder to live out the fruit of the spirit is the remedy. 00:04:10.420 --> 00:04:13.569 No one's gonna make a law against faithfulness and gentleness. 00:04:14.170 --> 00:04:17.740 The hard part of relational apologetics is not sharing the truth. 00:04:18.340 --> 00:04:24.100 It's really self-control, but this crucifixion of the flesh is a part of 00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:28.929 all of our sanctification, so let's make it the cornerstone of our evangelism. 00:04:29.470 --> 00:04:33.069 Not for the sake of unity, but for the sake of unity in Christ. 00:04:33.340 --> 00:04:36.189 Unity for the sake of unity is false consensus. 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:39.909 We don't want to paper over real differences. 00:04:40.120 --> 00:04:43.780 What we want is a culture where we treat each other with respect 00:04:43.929 --> 00:04:46.870 so we can adjudicate those differences in productive ways. 00:04:47.949 --> 00:04:49.870 The strategy really is bridge building. 00:04:49.990 --> 00:04:54.669 It really is using unlikely alliances to accomplish amazing things together. 00:04:55.765 --> 00:04:58.944 And so a call for unity will fall on deaf ears. 00:04:59.275 --> 00:05:03.385 A call to treat one another with respect and dignity that every 00:05:03.385 --> 00:05:08.095 human being deserves will actually puncture the illusion of division. 00:05:08.544 --> 00:05:11.485 And allow us to accomplish more together as a people than 00:05:11.485 --> 00:05:12.865 we could possibly imagine. 00:05:12.865 --> 00:05:16.195 Right now, building bridges just for the sake of having a bridge 00:05:16.195 --> 00:05:17.695 is a waste of everyone's time. 00:05:18.115 --> 00:05:22.135 Building a bridge that creates a road to Jesus is an eternal investment. 00:05:22.765 --> 00:05:26.424 And if it bridges communities, just imagine how many souls 00:05:26.424 --> 00:05:27.745 might cross that bridge. 00:05:29.460 --> 00:05:29.850 Okay. 00:05:30.090 --> 00:05:35.400 Another effective way to build bridges is by engaging culture relationally. 00:05:36.270 --> 00:05:38.970 This involves connecting with both current pop culture. 00:05:39.405 --> 00:05:44.145 And what some call retro cultural apologetics, finding common 00:05:44.145 --> 00:05:48.285 references in movies, music and shared cultural experiences can open 00:05:48.285 --> 00:05:49.905 doors for meaningful discussions. 00:05:50.415 --> 00:05:51.435 I love this idea. 00:05:51.885 --> 00:05:56.445 We see this with guys like Sean McDowell, who talks about how even Marvel movies 00:05:56.445 --> 00:06:00.645 can be a starting point for conversations about deeper themes, and even our faith. 00:06:01.095 --> 00:06:03.915 It's about meeting people where they are and using what they already 00:06:03.915 --> 00:06:05.715 understand as a launching pad. 00:06:06.285 --> 00:06:10.425 Now, captain America famously says, we are not in the business of exchanging 00:06:10.425 --> 00:06:20.415 lives until the only one in 14 million or so ways to save half the universe is for 00:06:20.415 --> 00:06:23.625 iron Man to willingly lay down his life. 00:06:25.245 --> 00:06:29.205 True love willingly lays down one's life, and we all know Jesus said greater 00:06:29.205 --> 00:06:32.175 love had no man than this, than a man. 00:06:32.175 --> 00:06:33.855 Lay down his life for a friend. 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:35.850 You just think about that. 00:06:35.850 --> 00:06:37.230 All the money all the time. 00:06:37.230 --> 00:06:39.900 MCU trying to tell the most epic story ever. 00:06:40.440 --> 00:06:45.720 And they can't escape at root the gospel now I don't think they did it 00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:51.330 intentionally, especially where I see the movies going, I think they can't escape 00:06:51.330 --> 00:06:53.790 it 'cause it's written on our hearts. 00:06:53.790 --> 00:06:56.130 We know love is sacrifice. 00:06:56.580 --> 00:07:00.960 We understand what a real hero is and the MCU is fiction. 00:07:01.650 --> 00:07:05.490 But in the story of Jesus, that is the greatest story ever told. 00:07:05.490 --> 00:07:06.630 That's actually true. 00:07:06.930 --> 00:07:07.590 Exactly. 00:07:07.830 --> 00:07:12.900 It's not about forcing a connection, but about recognizing the inherent human 00:07:13.050 --> 00:07:18.030 themes that often exist in the stories we tell and the entertainment we consume. 00:07:18.840 --> 00:07:23.070 And this is also a practical and modern way of practicing 00:07:23.070 --> 00:07:24.930 the Celtic Way of evangelism. 00:07:25.530 --> 00:07:26.160 What do I mean? 00:07:26.280 --> 00:07:27.240 Well, St. 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:30.540 Patrick, in the early Celtic Church used stories. 00:07:30.975 --> 00:07:37.155 And metaphors and symbols to illustrate the bigger objective truth to a 00:07:37.455 --> 00:07:39.855 subjective and pantheistic audience. 00:07:40.695 --> 00:07:46.185 These symbols were so effective and so powerful that a lot of them still exist 00:07:46.305 --> 00:07:49.905 and are used today over 1500 years later. 00:07:50.505 --> 00:07:54.615 Symbols like Celtic knots and even the Celtic Cross sometimes pre-existed 00:07:54.615 --> 00:07:58.965 Christianity in Ireland, and they're often used as symbols of pagan religion. 00:07:59.430 --> 00:07:59.790 But St. 00:07:59.790 --> 00:08:03.840 Patrick was able to use the symbols to illustrate the truth of the gospel, and 00:08:03.840 --> 00:08:07.920 to some degree, we do this all the time and naturally without even noticing. 00:08:08.640 --> 00:08:12.060 When you hear a sermon illustration that illustrates the truth of 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:15.570 a Bible passage, you're hearing this type of contextualization. 00:08:16.110 --> 00:08:19.080 Even the form of the media can be a form of adapting 00:08:19.080 --> 00:08:21.000 cultural symbols and metaphors. 00:08:21.375 --> 00:08:24.585 This very podcast series is meant to adapt the form of podcasting 00:08:24.585 --> 00:08:29.115 that we hear in journalism like news podcasts or documentary series. 00:08:29.835 --> 00:08:33.345 Culturally, we know what to expect and we're able to engage with it 00:08:33.615 --> 00:08:38.655 more than intellectually, but also on a personal level, this is how we 00:08:38.655 --> 00:08:43.215 like Sean McDowell, are able to adapt things like movies or songs or even 00:08:43.215 --> 00:08:45.495 memes in order to share the gospel. 00:08:47.925 --> 00:08:51.885 The power of shared narrative is also a significant tool 00:08:51.945 --> 00:08:53.355 in relational apologetics. 00:08:54.735 --> 00:09:00.165 Sharing our personal stories, our stories of our own faith, the journey of how we 00:09:00.165 --> 00:09:06.435 came to believe and how our faith impacts our lives can resonate deeply with others 00:09:06.975 --> 00:09:09.045 at an emotional and existential level. 00:09:10.155 --> 00:09:13.695 Similarly, sharing the overarching Christian story, I. 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:19.170 The big narrative of God's love for all of us, for humanity can 00:09:19.170 --> 00:09:22.320 connect with those universal longings we talked about earlier. 00:09:23.280 --> 00:09:24.690 Your story is powerful. 00:09:25.290 --> 00:09:28.530 It's unique to you, and it can connect with people in ways that a 00:09:28.530 --> 00:09:30.720 theological argument alone might not. 00:09:31.470 --> 00:09:35.490 When you share authentically about your own struggles and doubts and 00:09:35.670 --> 00:09:39.750 the hope you've found, it creates a space for others to share their own 00:09:39.750 --> 00:09:42.270 experiences and consider what's possible. 00:09:43.455 --> 00:09:48.225 The Celts learned well, the lesson that it is the Christian community that 00:09:48.225 --> 00:09:53.145 witnesses not just individual Christians, and that made a great difference to 00:09:53.145 --> 00:09:55.485 leading whole countries to coly Christ. 00:09:56.655 --> 00:10:00.975 The Celtic Church adapted non-Christian culture to become 00:10:00.975 --> 00:10:04.245 Christian culture without making any changes that were unnecessary. 00:10:04.515 --> 00:10:08.895 They used the symbols of non-Christian culture to preach Christ. 00:10:09.255 --> 00:10:11.865 Instead of fighting the culture around them, the Celts adopted 00:10:11.865 --> 00:10:14.475 many of the symbols of that culture for Christian purposes. 00:10:15.045 --> 00:10:17.265 One example of it is the Shamrock, which is of course 00:10:17.265 --> 00:10:18.645 the national symbol of Ireland. 00:10:19.275 --> 00:10:23.775 Originally, it was a pagan symbol, used and drew it worship, but St. 00:10:23.775 --> 00:10:26.055 Patrick took the shamrock. 00:10:26.445 --> 00:10:29.925 And used it to teach the doctrine of the Trinity as the Shamrock 00:10:29.925 --> 00:10:31.185 has three leaves and as one. 00:10:31.185 --> 00:10:34.785 So Father, son, and Holy Spirit are three, and yet one soon. 00:10:34.785 --> 00:10:38.205 The pagan roots of the Shamrock were completely forgotten 00:10:38.205 --> 00:10:39.285 in the Christian community. 00:10:39.795 --> 00:10:43.515 People took it as a sign of one God with three persons. 00:10:44.115 --> 00:10:46.905 Another example was a Pagan celebration that was popular 00:10:46.905 --> 00:10:48.405 in those days called Heim. 00:10:48.465 --> 00:10:50.235 It was on October 31st. 00:10:50.895 --> 00:10:55.785 It was a time for celebrating and remembering the dead, the Irish church. 00:10:56.130 --> 00:11:00.780 Decided to take that ritual and on November 1st, the next day celebrate 00:11:00.780 --> 00:11:05.070 All Saints Day, which was a time to commemorate the martyrs of the faith. 00:11:05.700 --> 00:11:10.710 All Saints Day rec replaced Heim on the calendar and it wasn't in late. 00:11:10.710 --> 00:11:11.490 It was much later. 00:11:11.490 --> 00:11:15.900 In modern times when the Pagans reclaimed it by looking at all Hallows are All 00:11:15.900 --> 00:11:19.500 Saints Eve and calling it Halloween, and that's where we get Halloween. 00:11:19.650 --> 00:11:22.950 But the church and island is still celebrates it as a, to 00:11:22.950 --> 00:11:24.780 remember the martyrs for Jesus. 00:11:25.785 --> 00:11:29.985 The Celtic Church understood that cultural days and symbols can be 00:11:29.985 --> 00:11:32.295 redeemed to call people to Christ. 00:11:32.745 --> 00:11:36.135 Now there's a danger of taking that too far and accepting pagan 00:11:36.135 --> 00:11:37.725 customs that should be rejected. 00:11:38.145 --> 00:11:44.445 Okay, so this does bring up the danger of syncretism and syncretism is when 00:11:44.445 --> 00:11:49.905 two cultures come together and blend to form something else altogether. 00:11:50.895 --> 00:11:55.425 To avoid this, we need to be rooted in God's truth in the process 00:11:55.425 --> 00:11:59.685 of translating, and when we do that, we avoid compromising it. 00:12:00.345 --> 00:12:05.235 The goal is to share God's truth in a way that someone can understand, not change 00:12:05.235 --> 00:12:06.975 it to fit into their current beliefs. 00:12:07.785 --> 00:12:10.545 Again, this is building a bridge for the sake of having a bridge. 00:12:10.755 --> 00:12:16.005 We need to remember to build a bridge to Jesus instead to 00:12:16.095 --> 00:12:18.135 effectively find common ground. 00:12:18.585 --> 00:12:22.665 It's also crucial to commit to understanding other perspectives. 00:12:23.595 --> 00:12:26.895 This involves taking the time to learn about different religious 00:12:26.895 --> 00:12:28.725 and philosophical world views. 00:12:29.805 --> 00:12:33.045 This means not only listening, but learning from your friend. 00:12:33.645 --> 00:12:36.825 It doesn't mean you have to be an expert, but you do have to be thoughtful. 00:12:37.545 --> 00:12:38.040 Dr. 00:12:38.040 --> 00:12:42.615 Douglas Gruas emphasized the importance of Christians being informed about 00:12:42.735 --> 00:12:44.895 other belief systems, even atheism. 00:12:45.435 --> 00:12:48.615 It's not about agreeing with everything, but about understanding where others 00:12:48.615 --> 00:12:52.545 are coming from so we can talk with them in a way that makes them feel like we 00:12:52.545 --> 00:12:56.535 understand what they're thinking, where they're coming from, what they might 00:12:56.535 --> 00:13:02.175 possibly believe, and then we're able to see and possibly even agree with some of 00:13:02.175 --> 00:13:06.375 their aspirations, even if we disagree with how they're trying to get there. 00:13:09.457 --> 00:13:12.967 Knowing the basics of what someone believes allows us to have a more 00:13:12.967 --> 00:13:17.827 informed and empathetic conversation, and it helps us identify genuine 00:13:17.827 --> 00:13:22.087 points of connection as well as potential areas of misunderstanding. 00:13:22.087 --> 00:13:22.117 I. 00:13:23.272 --> 00:13:26.782 As we've said, the big objection to this approach is the concern 00:13:26.782 --> 00:13:31.042 that finding common ground might risk diluting the unique claims of 00:13:31.042 --> 00:13:33.832 Christianity, and that's a valid concern. 00:13:34.342 --> 00:13:38.122 We're not suggesting that we compromise our core beliefs to connect with others. 00:13:38.542 --> 00:13:42.142 Finding common ground is a starting point for conversation, 00:13:42.472 --> 00:13:43.942 not a compromise of truth. 00:13:44.512 --> 00:13:48.442 It's about building a foundation of shared understanding before we address 00:13:48.442 --> 00:13:52.522 the specific and sometimes challenging aspects of the Christian faith. 00:13:53.392 --> 00:13:59.692 Focusing on universal human experiences, engaging in culture stories thoughtfully, 00:14:00.502 --> 00:14:04.372 and sharing our own stories and seeking to understand perspectives. 00:14:05.062 --> 00:14:09.112 We can begin to build bridges with individuals holding a whole 00:14:09.112 --> 00:14:11.242 huge variety of worldviews. 00:14:12.427 --> 00:14:15.637 These connections are rooted in our shared humanity. 00:14:16.087 --> 00:14:21.127 They create fertile ground for meaningful deep conversations about our faith. 00:14:21.787 --> 00:14:22.537 Absolutely. 00:14:22.957 --> 00:14:26.707 It's about seeing the person first, hearing their heart, understanding their 00:14:26.707 --> 00:14:30.637 world, and then finding those points where we can connect on a human level. 00:14:30.937 --> 00:14:33.337 That's where the real dialogue begins. 00:14:33.817 --> 00:14:34.237 All right. 00:14:34.447 --> 00:14:39.727 Let's consider together what are some values or experiences that you believe. 00:14:40.102 --> 00:14:43.102 Are shared across different cultures and belief systems. 00:14:44.032 --> 00:14:49.162 How might you be a little more intentional about using these as 00:14:49.162 --> 00:14:52.432 starting points for conversations about faith in your own life? 00:14:52.942 --> 00:14:54.802 Take some time this week to think about that. 00:14:55.132 --> 00:14:58.252 Look for those common threads in your interactions with others. 00:14:59.542 --> 00:15:03.197 Looking ahead to our next episode, let's consider this. 00:15:04.432 --> 00:15:08.602 While finding common ground is crucial for building relationships, how do relational 00:15:08.602 --> 00:15:14.212 apologists then address the core, often divisive theological differences 00:15:14.452 --> 00:15:21.472 and truth claims of Christianity in a way that keeps and stays respectful. 00:15:21.847 --> 00:15:25.747 And maintains the integrity of both the relationship and 00:15:26.077 --> 00:15:27.097 the message of the gospel. 00:15:27.937 --> 00:15:31.057 Well, that's the big question we'll be tackling next time on Simple Faith. 00:15:31.537 --> 00:15:34.237 It's a delicate balance and we'll be exploring how to navigate it. 00:15:35.137 --> 00:15:38.797 Thanks for joining me today on the Simple Faith You can find more resource. 00:15:39.137 --> 00:15:42.377 And ways to connect with us@pastorrustygeorge.com 00:15:42.887 --> 00:15:44.447 and until next time, keep it.