When discussing things with people of a different belief system...
Has anyone ever changed their minds during the actual process of the discussion? (hopefully it is a discussion... not an argument).
I'm not talking about a discussion about whether a color us blue of purple. I am talking about discussing doctrinal issues. Salvational, Eschatological etc.
The reason I am asking this is that I have found that most often, if not always, when discussion deep rooted subjects such as ones religious beliefs they will not change their minds at that moment. My experience has been that, if someone changes their mind about something, they will do so later on when the "defense mode" of a discussion has passed and the information that has been offered has had time to sink in.
I would like to know your experiences in this.
And... if this turns out to be so... Shouldn't we recognize that in our evangelist efforts with others? He that winneth souls is wise.
If this turns out to be the way things happen most often we might consider to make our modus operandi equal that realization and discuss things with people less from a standpoint where we are attempting to turn them in their beliefs right now and more from a standpoint of attempting to to plant seed of thought in their mind for later consideration and assimilation.
Perhaps one at a time we can reach a place where we recognize the fruitlessness of attempting "right in front of our eyes" changes in peoples minds and arguing with people is a thing of the past and we can find ourselves respectfully discussing things with people hoping that seeds of thought have been planted (perhaps on both sides... but.. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) and God will bring the increase.
When discussing things with people of a different belief system...
Has anyone ever changed their minds during the actual process of the discussion? (hopefully it is a discussion... not an argument).
I'm not talking about a discussion about whether a color us blue of purple. I am talking about discussing doctrinal issues. Salvational, Eschatological etc.
The reason I am asking this is that I have found that most often, if not always, when discussion deep rooted subjects such as ones religious beliefs they will not change their minds at that moment. My experience has been that, if someone changes their mind about something, they will do so later on when the "defense mode" of a discussion has passed and the information that has been offered has had time to sink in.
I would like to know your experiences in this.
And... if this turns out to be so... Shouldn't we recognize that in our evangelist efforts with others? He that winneth souls is wise.
If this turns out to be the way things happen most often we might consider to make our modus operandi equal that realization and discuss things with people less from a standpoint where we are attempting to turn them in their beliefs right now and more from a standpoint of attempting to to plant seed of thought in their mind for later consideration and assimilation.
Perhaps one at a time we can reach a place where we recognize the fruitlessness of attempting "right in front of our eyes" changes in peoples minds and arguing with people is a thing of the past and we can find ourselves respectfully discussing things with people hoping that seeds of thought have been planted (perhaps on both sides... but.. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) and God will bring the increase.
Yes indeed. Most people will not respond to a won argument, but they will respond to your investment in them when you show the love of God.
I think we must also always leave open the possibility that we ourselves can learn from others as well - even unbelievers. Not talking about questioning our faith, but rather being transparent in humility, acknowledging that we don't claim to have ALL the answers either.
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
Yes indeed. Most people will not respond to a won argument, but they will respond to your investment in them when you show the love of God.
I think we must also always leave open the possibility that we ourselves can learn from others as well - even unbelievers. Not talking about questioning our faith, but rather being transparent in humility, acknowledging that we don't claim to have ALL the answers either.
Indeed...
I truly believe that truth possess in humility presented with respect to others can be an enticing display that, given time, can call to the yearning for truth that is in all of us.
Since experiencing this change in spirit I have also been surprised to find how much I can learn from others.
I don't think it's even wise for anyone to change their beliefs on the spot. You should take time to ponder, study and pray.
The only time I have ever seen anyone change their mind about something major was when Ross Perot agreed to run for president while being interviewed by Larry King.
And I don't believe he DID change his mind. Rather he knew all along what he was going to do.
No, people never change their minds during an argument and almost never during a civil discussion. What DOES happen is seeds are planted which take root during private meditation, that can result in potentially world-view altering changes.
The only time I have ever seen anyone change their mind about something major was when Ross Perot agreed to run for president while being interviewed by Larry King.
And I don't believe he DID change his mind. Rather he knew all along what he was going to do.
No, people never change their minds during an argument and almost never during a civil discussion. What DOES happen is seeds are planted which take root during private meditation, that can result in potentially world-view altering changes.
I disagree. No, wait. You're right!
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
When discussing things with people of a different belief system...
Has anyone ever changed their minds during the actual process of the discussion? (hopefully it is a discussion... not an argument).
I'm not talking about a discussion about whether a color us blue of purple. I am talking about discussing doctrinal issues. Salvational, Eschatological etc.
The reason I am asking this is that I have found that most often, if not always, when discussion deep rooted subjects such as ones religious beliefs they will not change their minds at that moment. My experience has been that, if someone changes their mind about something, they will do so later on when the "defense mode" of a discussion has passed and the information that has been offered has had time to sink in.
I would like to know your experiences in this.
And... if this turns out to be so... Shouldn't we recognize that in our evangelist efforts with others? He that winneth souls is wise.
If this turns out to be the way things happen most often we might consider to make our modus operandi equal that realization and discuss things with people less from a standpoint where we are attempting to turn them in their beliefs right now and more from a standpoint of attempting to to plant seed of thought in their mind for later consideration and assimilation.
Perhaps one at a time we can reach a place where we recognize the fruitlessness of attempting "right in front of our eyes" changes in peoples minds and arguing with people is a thing of the past and we can find ourselves respectfully discussing things with people hoping that seeds of thought have been planted (perhaps on both sides... but.. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) and God will bring the increase.
In my experience, it's not the big discussions that have brought about great change in my beliefs, it's been little casual statements, offered in conversation that offered me a new way to look at something. That stretched my mind, or challenged me.
I definitely responded better to little seeds, then when someone tries to force feed me a whole tree
In my experience, it's not the big discussions that have brought about great change in my beliefs, it's been little casual statements, offered in conversation that offered me a new way to look at something. That stretched my mind, or challenged me.
I definitely responded better to little seeds, then when someone tries to force feed me a whole tree
FIrst off........ MICH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Secondly... Yes ma'am. This has been my experience as well. Both in learning from others and helping others to understand things.
Secondly... Yes ma'am. This has been my experience as well. Both in learning from others and helping others to understand things.
It's always a pleasant surprise to hear enthusiasm at my presence!
One other thing that I have found that helps both when sharing with others, and when others are sharing with me.
Is that people tend to respond much more positively when things are presented as a "Here's how I think about it", or "I find this interesting" or "Have you ever looked at it like...."
People (myself included) don't like to be approached like they are a broken piece of equipment that needs to be fixed. Often they don't want to be "taught" they just want to have a conversation.
Hybrid Mode
