1. What are some ways the Christian gospel is perceived in our culture?
Many people believe in our culture that we can reach God through good works, so primary most people think we can be a good person and do good things. Jesus paid the price for our sins, so no amount of good works can pardon your way into heaven. It is not through good works, but by faith and the good works flow naturally by our belief and love of the Savior. There are many misconceptions that we can confess our belief of the Savior and He will bring abundant prosperity, so in our culture the prosperity gospel can bring deceptions. Jesus said according to (NIV, Matt. 16:24) " If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me".
2. What are some specific moral reasons people may reject the Christian gospel?
One of the main reasons is a sense of pride. Pride blocks change, and that comes along with transformation and sacrifices. In our Western culture we are people that are ruled by self. This is a huge reason many will turn away from the gospel, because they want to live their own way. We live in a generation of quick fixes, and transformation takes time and growth. We want to have it our way, and accepting the gospel means we give our life over to the Savior.
3. What are some specific moral reasons people may reject the Christian gospel?
There is a great deal of confusion within many of our churches. We have to trust and believe in Christ, and not in our religion. I think a great deal of this has to do with tradition that has nothing to do with the word of God. Self righteous attitudes can attribute to the effect of making others feel loved or unworthy. People may be in oppressive bondage, and feel that they are not good enough. This is Satan's greatest lie. Jesus will accept anyone right where they are. Most have a perception that if they are not perfect, God will reject them. They do not understand the gift of salvation, mercy or grace. Most people have not studied on their own, and have also dealt with spiritual abuse. We should never fall into the trap of listening to anyone or anything without examining it with the word of God. It could also possibly be they have been raised in another doctrine their entire lives. It is hard to break free from what you are use to. Again the issue of pride will blind us to search out the truth.
4. What are some specific intellectual reasons people may reject the Christian gospel?
The majority of adults are learning the theories of evolution in universities today. Evolution had flooded the public schools and students are not learning about these things at a young age. They are being taught Darwinism, that ultimately scatches God away from the black board. We fail to examine things for ourselves, or to take the time to examine both sides of the issue. We see social media has taken on this same effect on our children. Astrology, New Age movement, and also atheists have flooded outlets of the younger generation. For the younger generation many will seek to solve their problems through Psychology and other outlets like drug and alcohol. Most people do not understand the power of the Holy Spirit, and how it can direct our lives and shape us into the purposes of God.
5. What can Christians do to address these objections and better communicate the Christian gospel?
Jesus was a friend of sinners. He may have not agreed with their lifestyle but he would listen to them. He primarily could see through to their heart. Loving your neighbor regardless of who they are is a step in the right direction. No one cares about what you have to say, until they can see how much you care. We will not agree with other people all the time. They will not have the same belief system that we do, but we can be a light to them by the way we live our lives through Jesus Christ. We need to understand more, listen more, and learn more about one another instead of judging. If the only friends that we ever acquire are merely Christians, I am not sure how well our ministry will be. We must be the light in the dark places. Our focus should be on Christ first, and he demonstrates the greatest love of all.
References:
The Holy Bible, New International Version Matthew 16:4
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