Debate with a cult member

Written by Zhey Chua |Posted on November 7, 2008 | Comments

I finally found the time to sit here and write about the rest of this post.

So Warren moved the party from the dining table to the living room. Like me, Warren was also, uhm, shall we say a little disconcerted that he did not get to enjoy the chicken that Mom prepared. But then, we are also both more than glad to be presented with the opportunity to share the gospel, however bad the timing (well, for us that is).

Well anyway, so we asked Alex what he meant by “overcomers” and he tried so hard to explain, he went around in circles plucking supposed verses from the Bible but never succeeding at pointing at least one directly to support his claim. Not wanting to prolong his agony any longer, Warren then said, “Make disciples of all nations is the great commission. Do you honestly think there is something greater than that?”

I really am not sure how it happened, but as I keep saying, we were all going around in circles so we sort of jumped from topic to topic without actually finishing any off. Alex, as soon as he would see a dead end approaching, diverted the discussion several times and Warren just let him.

Until they touched on the Parable of the Soils. This is where Alex pointed out that a Christian doesn’t just go around spreading the Word, he said “skill is required to do it, if you already know that the soil is hard, would you still plant the seed just like that? Of course not! You must soften it first and to do so requires skill!”

To an unbeliever, his argument may sound justifiable, right? But wrong. There is nothing wrong with the seed and if there is a problem with the soil (as in the case of the three soils in the said parable), then there is no reason why anyone should still go out of his way to “soften” it. It’s just not good soil, period. Most importantly, it is not man’s duty to mulch the heart of those who will listen to the Gospel, that is God’s work, and to think that man can do God’s work is utter blasphemy already! Why? Because you are usurping God and you are making a god out of yourself!

Then we were brought to the topic of rebuking. He said his church does not rebuke, unless it is about something really sinful. So, it appears that in his church, they classify sins according to degrees. Tsk, tsk. Warren had to point him to 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness“, then asked him point-blank, “why else do you think this was written if not for that purpose?”

I have already forgotten the in-between of each highlighted error this guy made, I sat there listening, sometimes butting in and injecting a point or two, and wondering what a bizarre, totally out-of-this-world creature this man is! I mean, where is he getting all of these things??? You know what, many many times, he would say things like, “You know about this story in the bible? My interpretation of that is…” or “Hey, you know, I just have to agree that the Lord has a point when He said…” (to which I immediately reacted, “No, it’s not that the Lord has a point, the Lord Himself IS the point, actually!”) and so many other things that made my hair raise on ends.

Anyway, so we also touched on easy believism. He believes that those who professed Christianity, fruitless or not are Christians any which way we go. “Those that are not showing fruits are just those that are not fully committed to Christianity yet.” HUH?!!? (I wish we have emoticons here)

Warren took him to 1 John 1:6 at this point: “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” then asked Alex, “so what can you say about that”

“Do you really think it is that easy to interpret the bible?!” the now incredulous and obviously defeated Alex cried.

“Isn’t that verse straightforward enough?”

“Do you pray? I mean, do you guys pray? Because it is important for Christians to pray. You know, I always pray. Do you know how to pray?” Alex asked in an attempt to resort to another diversionary tactic.

“Yes, we cannot number the times we pray each day. In fact, right now, as I speak to you, I am praying.” Warren replied.

I saw Alex’s body move back, it doesn’t have to take an expert to say that his body language screamed “Keep this man away from me! Far away!!!”, because it was written all over his face, too. And then, for lack of anything else to say, he extended this invitation, “I invite you to our church so you’ll see, if you are interested.”

To which Warren and I simultaneously replied, “No, we are not interested, but thank you for the invitation.” Taking that as a signal, I went right ahead and invited him to our church, he did not say he will come, he did not say he won’t. Yet, something tells me profoundly that I won’t be seeing him in our church at all. Ever.

******

P.S.

He is a member of a Watchman-Nee local church. And yes, I dare say in this blog, that he is a cult member. Oh, and by the way, that night, before he left the house, he told Warren’s mom that Warren and I are cult members, LOL!