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Brit Hume and the public nature of our faith

Carmen Fowler

1/11/2010 12:09:28 PM

A week ago, Fox News senior political analyst and publically committed follower of Jesus Christ, Brit Hume, made comments that have ignited a very healthy public debate in the secular media. If you have not seen it, please watch Brit Hume on Bill O’Reilly:

 

 

Hume’s comments have unmasked some deficiencies in many Christians' ability to articulate the things of the faith.

Hume says that Christianity offers something that Buddhism does not.

            Would you know how to articulate the things that are offered by Christ that are not offered by Buddha?

            Do you know the basic differences between Christianity and Buddhism?

Hume has been accused of proselytizing.

            What is proselytizing?

            Why is it considered “bad” from a post-modern worldview?

Hume makes comments about “redemption” and “forgiveness.”

            What do those terms mean?

            What do both redemption and forgiveness presuppose?

            How is Jesus qualified to offer redemption and forgiveness in ways others cannot?

Hume says that a true conversion is something that is obvious to others.

            Can people tell from the outward living of your life that you are truly converted?

            Do you know the difference between “nominal” Christianity and the kind of “followership” that Jesus demands of fully-devoted disciples?

Hume says that when you speak the name of Jesus Christ, all hell breaks loose.

 

            What does that statement mean to you?

            How have you experienced the “hell breaking” nature of public testimony?

Upcoming posts will address subjects listed above as a means of interacting with the subject matter and more importantly, becoming more fully equipped to contend for the faith and engage in the public discourse already well underway.  

For some background on the matter, you are encouraged to read Politics Daily's "Fox, Tiger and Christianity: A Defense of Brit Hume". 

 

RELATED POSTS: Christianity and Buddhism; How is proselytizing a bad thing?; Truly converted?

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Comments  3

  • Richard Conway 11 Jan, 03:44 PM

    I watched that show and was absolutely elated when I heard it. Coming from a very well respected journalist was an open, honest and very comfortable expression of faith as it would help a sinner in need. This honesty and open expression of Christian faith has all but disappeared from our culture due to factors we all understand. Many in our Sunday School class hadn't heard it so we spent a good bit of time discussing it. It was so refreshing to hear it and in such a matter of fact manner. Mike Huckabee spoke well of the comment on his show too.
    God blessed America.
    Richard Conway

  • Beloved Spear 12 Jan, 11:30 AM

    What's challenging about Hume's comments is not that they show an inaccurate view of Christian doctrine, because they do not. It is, instead, that they don't really show a solid grasp of Buddhism. There are significant and important distinctives between following Jesus Christ and being a Buddhist, but Hume's presentation doesn't articulate them in any meaningful way. Early in the interview, he also rejects the idea that he is prosthelytizing, which seems odd given what he said later.

  • JIM de Girolamo 16 Jan, 10:13 PM

    Wow! What hit me between the eyes, although I don't watch Fox News for its slanted political marketing, is that Hume did hit the truth in articulating scripture, including Matthew 5:11 in the beatitudes.

    "Blessed are you who when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake." For His name! AMEN! For me to even say this is a miracle itself!

    Isn't that interesting how strong the reaction is to the very name of Christ Jesus? Any other name of a religious figures is cool and with it, but Christ? All hell breaks loose as Hume says when the name of Jesus comes up. It makes me see a greater play at work.
    As for news? Perhaps we should reach for being more civilized, whatever that means, and becoming living bibles and clothed in Christ, and in that we don't need to win arguments or make political views our gods.

    How do we bridge that gap to open Christ to the hungry, including our neighbors rich in advantage but hungry in purpose? Oh! There are many! And how do we not be marginalized by camps and sides, etc?? Let's keep pushing the to the Light. Scripture is amazing, leading all the way to amazing grace. Grace is the key.

    Thanks Carmen.

    Jim from Tucson
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