People Changing Their Minds...

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

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.