Classes were suspended yesterday in the primary and secondary level so I had the option to go to UP early for my MS classes or drop by National Bookstore along Katipunan. After finally deciding to go to UP early instead, I went straight to R304 of the new National Institute of Physics building along CP Garcia—the designated room for the Theoretical Physics Group of NIP. Moments later, I wished I went to National Bookstore instead.

Three of my labmates were there, Mark, Henry and Peter. I don’t exactly remember how the conversation started but I was pretty sure the conversation was leading to a topic I am not very prepared to deal with–the existence of God. They began to point out that first, more people died because of theism than atheism; If God is an omnipotent and omniscient being and He created the universe, then there must be someone more powerful than He who created Him. Also they said, the creation in Genesis is flawed for in the first place, the sun was made three days after the creation of the universe—meaning how would the author of that book have said what had happened two days before when the days are measured as the sun rises and sets. And then they went on saying that Jesus wants His believers to blindly follow Him as He said when “blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.” They refuse to be blind followers with their upbringing in Science.

Stupefied! That’s the word that best describes my state when they went on with their points and the contradictions they found in the Bible. Why couldn’t they just ask about God’s love? I could have easily given them an outline of His love? Why are they attacking me? Why are they attacking my God? Was the purpose behind the attack on my God to shake my faith? It was three atheists against one trying hard to be a Christian! I sensed defeat in my part and in that sense, defeat in God’s part that I am not able to make Him real to them. I tried but my best efforts in defending God, Jesus and the Bible were in vain. These people, these atheists are scientists and they refuse to believe anything unless a logical and sound argument is laid out.

One left from the pool of conversation perhaps sensing that three is too much for me and I knew that this person is the MOST difficult person to convince. I listened as the other two continued their points that all religion may be explained by Sociology, Psychology and Science. God was in the losing side in these people but my resolve was this: you know what guys, I suggest you read the Bible first from cover to cover before you even say these things. Perhaps you’re seeing the flaws of Judaism and Christianity because you’re only seeing parts of it instead of seeing the big picture. Then I handed the “Are you ready for the challenge?” pamphlet I have. It lists what you need to read for ninety days to complete reading the Bible in that period. I told them, if you are able to read this and try to understand this while holding my orange Bible in 90 days or maybe a short period of time continuously, then I am willing to give you my half a month’s salary. Wala na akong pake kung atheist ka o maging Christian ka, basta basahin mo muna bago mo ko kulitin but of course at the back of my head, I still want to share the same secure faith with them—the faith that gives hope each day.

Game sila. They took the challenge. Henry grabbed my orange Bible but I told him I’m using that one and that I’ll give him a copy later. After a while they decided they didn’t want my salary as reward (ay thank You, Lord!) as they felt that it was inappropriate. No reward na lang daw but they will read the Bible.

And then I pondered on these on the way home:

1. When you’re speaking to an atheist about God, DON’T ever say that he/she is narrow minded. Argumentum ad hominem and they’re more likely to reject what you’re going to say next with that mind set. I learned this the hard way with Mark. Then I realized that I’m more narrow minded than they are, I never stopped to consider Buddhism, Islam, Taosim, etc.

2. Because I am not able to defend God’s case, I let Him defend Himself. Let the Bible speak for God.

3. I am disappointed that God is not apparent in my life. I am imperfect but I long to see the day that people wouldn’t have to ask me what my religion is or if I believe in Christ. I hope to see the day that they’d say, “Ah Christian ka. Obvious naman eh.” I long for God’s might to mould my imperfections into something beautiful.

4. And yes, always with love. God loves the atheists as well so dealing and speaking with them should always be done with love. God is counting on us for the atheists and unbelievers to feel His love.

5. It may have been three against one but it’s three against One.

So I sent Henry, who took the challenge, and Peter, a message saying:

“I am upset that I was not or am not able to make my God real to you. But I would like you to know that 1) I am not mad or angry at you or at what you did, 2) if God were real to you already and you asked of evidence of His love, I could readily give you an outline of His love, 3) I’m disappointed with myself that my God/Christ isn’t apparent enough in my life, 4) I’ve never been vocal about my faith as our other colleagues are (you yourselves are very vocal about your atheistic beliefs) until now, 5) I hope the day comes when I can easily point atheists and agnostics to Him. And for that, all I’m asking is that you give yourself a chance to know Him and then hopefully you’ll find that He is enough as He is to me. Reading the Bible in a limited amount of time will either make you a stronger atheist or a Christian. Either way, that’s all I’m asking (read and try to understand it).”

And then he sent me a reply that made me cry:

“Ok. I hope I’m not being offensive kanina. It’s just that I want to be intellectually honest when trying to settle a problem. I respect you, your faith and I do appreciate your act of sharing your faith. I’m open, give it a try. Also, if you’re upset that your God is not real enough for me, so do I. I’m a believer once, and IT’S NOT EASY to be an atheist.”

And then I said:

“You are a dear friend to me. I love you (linawin ko lang na hindi romantic love ito ha) and I hope someday we’ll share the same faith regardless of which sect you prefer.”

And then he said:

“I hope too. Linawin ko lang na hindi ako sarcastic. Marunong din akong magseryoso.”

They are hurt. It sounds like a paradox that they live in a society or a nation that claims to be the only Christian country in South East Asia and yet they are hurting. They live among “Christians” and yet he said that it is not easy to be an atheist. Yes! It’s not easy to live in a society built on the traditions of Christianity when you’re an atheist and even when you’re a Christian, a society where the rules and the norms are somehow based on the principles of Christianity. It’s also confusing for them and for everyone when the basic principles of our beliefs are contrary to how we live. Yes! It’s not easy to move around people or work with people who judge you based on your beliefs. I think we need to reflect on how we’re treating our atheist friends with our self-righteous masks.

Please join me as I pray that each day of the ninety day challenge will be an opportunity for God to send on their calloused hearts and proud minds. Let God send fire and rekindle their hearts for Him as He did when He sent fire from heaven during the time of Elijah.

To my other lab mates, let’s try not to ostracize our atheist friends in our conversations about God. As much as possible, let’s talk about God and our other church activities when they’re not around. Maybe, just maybe, we maybe just need to get out of the way and let Him do the work.

All in God’s perfect time.

image credit: http://www.sodahead.com

Lack of discipleship.
This is a glaring lack in the United Methodist Church in the Philippines. Nope, we’re not talking about good ol’ Sunday School, which is still present in a number of churches. We’re talking about the way the church initiates its members to a deeper relationship with Christ. A lot of Methodists simply go to church on Sundays, mumble through the hymns, read through the liturgy and sit lazily through the sermon. No deeper involvement. No deeper interaction. No deeper commitment. So when they find some other groups (Christian Fellowships and other churches) that initiates them to the wonderful side of Christianity, they learn that discipleship does not need to be boring.

Lack of strong Christian fellowship.
One of the consequences of a lack of discipleship (which can also be called as a means to connect with God) is the lack of Christian fellowship. Yes, we have lots of Fellowship in the district level or in the local church level. But how about getting real about our struggles and our difficulties to each other? One of the young adults I talked to felt that a lot of times, he felt like he’s wearing a mask whenever he goes to Methodist youth activities. Hmm…

Too much focus on events and activities.
We have too many conferences, trainings, seminars and all sorts of stuff that will look good on paper reports. There is nothing wrong with events (such as Christmas Institutes and Conferences) but if those are all that we ever did, aren’t we missing a lot of things? Take the Christmas Institute as an example. It is a great event for youth to experience fellowship with each other and have an encounter with God. In fact, a lot of our pastors and deaconesses point to the Christmas Institute as crucial to their decision to enter full time ministry.

Here’s the catch, after the Christmas Institute, there is virtually no discipleship program (or any program at all) that will help young people continue their faith journey in the local church level. What happens then? They end up becoming fiery Christians in January and February. But in March, they start reverting to their previous habits. Why? Because there is no way for them to nurture the fire they got from Christmas Institute. When they find a group where the fires of their faith can be nurtured, Methodist young people will then decide to leave the church in favor of the church that nurtured them.

The clear and urgent need for discipleship!
John Wesley instituted one of the most effective discipleship models in the history of the Christian church. Long before “Cell Groups” became popular, he already instituted it with his bands, classes and societies! While all other churches, Christian fellowships and parachurches are using the very same discipleship model John Wesley used, we Methodists have been lagging behind.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said:
“Discipleship means adherence to Christ, and, because Christ is the object of that adherence, it must take the form of discipleship…. Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ. It remains an abstract idea, a myth that has a place for the Fatherhood of God, but omits Christ as the living Son. A Christianity of that kind is nothing more or less than the end of discipleship.”

There’s no question about it: the United Methodist Church needs discipleship. But in our contemporary times, the question we need to answer is how to put Christian discipleship back into our churches.
image credit: BluelikeElvis