So how do we help others adopt a more sophisticated interpretive framework? It has been my experience that it is only the exceedingly rare person who is sufficiently "open-minded" to ever change anything in a "theology" to which they are already committed.
I know this sounds cynical, but I think we have to "give up" on such people and try to make the case to those who are at the "entry point" to Christian faith.
I do not believe the adoption of a "more sophisticated interpretive framework" is what's necessary to bring about a positive eternal change (get them heaven-bound,) in someone's life. Philosophical arguments have their place, but they must only be a short precursor to the Gospel, and
that is what must be planted without ceasing. Of course in Acts 17 Paul met the Athenians on their own ground both literally and figuratively, but he did not remain there.
1 Corinthians 1:17-24
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where
is the wise? where
is the scribe? where
is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
These are familiar verses to 99% of Christian's I've met, no matter their age in the Lord. As such, they sadly tend to become trivial due to "popularity". We must be sharing God's word with everyone equally, "For there is no respect of persons with God."- Romans 2:11. It is not our place to decide beforehand whether or not His word will have the desired effect, and the fence-sitters are just as close to hell as those who, concerning zeal, are persecuting the church (Philippians 3:6). The mind cannot be changed for the better apart from salvation.
1 Corinthians 2:11-16
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know
them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Andrew, I have read neither the previous posts leading up to your statements I quoted, nor any posts that followed;what I'm suggesting may be what has already taken place. I'm mostly pointing out what I recognize to be a
general trend here on the boards.
