Chick Tracts

[Ruth]

Just curious as to how Chick Tracts are received here.  I remember getting a few in my bag at halloween time and tossing them into the trash immediately after finding them amongst my sweet, delicious treats.  I've also received a few from soapbox preachers.  I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post any here (or links to them, for that matter), but if I can, perhaps I'll select a few choice tracts for discussion. 

[nChrist]

Hello Ruth,

I would first be curious about:

1 - Which portions of the Holy Bible do you accept and like?

2 - Are there any Bible tracts that you don't throw in the trash? If so, which ones?

[Ruth]

Your first question is irrelevant.  The Bible is never about what we "accept" or "like."  It's not a matter of picking and choosing, it is what it is.  Thomas Jefferson may find it beneficial to cut and paste the Bible, but I'm afraid I would find no reward in creating my own canon. 

Regarding your second question:  you must take into account the fact that I was 7 at the time.  According to what I've heard in this forum, I probably hadn't reached my age of accountability yet.      And are there any Biblical tracts that I would throw away?  Sure!  Any Biblical tract that truthfully presents the proper distinction between law and gospel without trying to scare people into becoming Christian would be a good tract, in my opinion.  I believe there are better, more effective ways of witnessing than chucking chick tracts at people.  Or yelling at them through megaphones.  Or walking around town with signs that say "REPENT OR SPEND ETERNITY IN HELL!!!!"  The audience must be taken into account, first of all.  It's important to gauge their Biblical knowledge and understanding before spouting off on them prematurely (as I've seen happen a few times by people distributing chick tracts). 

[airIam2worship]

Hello Ruth,

I would first be curious about:

1 - Which portions of the Holy Bible do you accept and like?

2 - Are there any Bible tracts that you don't throw in the trash? If so, which ones?

Your first question is irrelevant.  The Bible is never about what we "accept" or "like."  It's not a matter of picking and choosing, it is what it is.  Thomas Jefferson may find it beneficial to cut and paste the Bible, but I'm afraid I would find no reward in creating my own canon. 

Regarding your second question:  you must take into account the fact that I was 7 at the time.  According to what I've heard in this forum, I probably hadn't reached my age of accountability yet.      And are there any Biblical tracts that I would throw away?  Sure!  Any Biblical tract that truthfully presents the proper distinction between law and gospel without trying to scare people into becoming Christian would be a good tract, in my opinion.  I believe there are better, more effective ways of witnessing than chucking chick tracts at people.  Or yelling at them through megaphones.  Or walking around town with signs that say "REPENT OR SPEND ETERNITY IN HELL!!!!"  The audience must be taken into account, first of all.  It's important to gauge their Biblical knowledge and understanding before spouting off on them prematurely (as I've seen happen a few times by people distributing chick tracts). 

Ruth.

Brother Tom asked 2 very simple questions. The first question he was addressing to you and ONLY you. He asked what portions of the Holy Bible do you accpet and like. Not we, not Christians in general not more than 1 person, just you

The second question was " are there any Bible tracks you don't throw in the trash, and if so which ones"

2 very simple questions all your typing and you still didn't answer 2 very simple questions.

Is there any way or any time that you can answer a question straight forward?

A yes or a no will be enough to answer my question.

[Ruth]

I'm pretty surprised you couldn't distinguish my answers.  But, for the sake of clarity:

1 - The Bible in its entirety is God's Word.  I do not have my own special canon.  What right do I have to pick and choose, and how was I not clear in my previous answer?  Or did you actually expect me to give a condemned answer?  Why would you ask me this question?

2 - I already said that any tract that presents the proper distinction between law and gospel without scaring people into becoming Christian is a good tract.  As far as example goes, the "What About" series put out by the LCMS does a nice job of presenting the Gospel and different topics and areas of doctrine.

I am not understanding how my answers were not straightforward enough the first time around.

[airIam2worship]

Like I said

My question required a simple yes or no .

[airIam2worship]

Why would you ask me this question?

We asked you to try and figure out what you are trying to say, ruth. Go back and read post number 1 which you started in this thread, you are always being very evasive about how you answer questions, you were not specific when asked 2 questions by Brother Tom, but rather went into a long explanantion that did not really make much sense.

By the way when you got these chick tracts for holloween, someone was doing you an favor, as you may or may not know holloween is a satanic celebration, Christians don't celebrate holloween, someone was using evil and turning it into good and instead of promoting the devil's day, they were trying to send a message to the lost of the world. (Before you answer, may I remind you that in another thread, you insinuated that this would be a more acceptable way, instead of getting politically correct)
Too bad you threw them away..................

[Soldier4Christ]

Or walking around town with signs that say "REPENT OR SPEND ETERNITY IN HELL!!!!"

I don't carry signs around in that manner but when I witness to someone I don't mince words. Jesus Christ Himself said in Luk 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. I see no mincing of words in that statement either.

God is a God of love but He is also a God of wrath. As long as salvation is taught it does not matter or do you reject the teaching of Phillipians 1 ?

[Ruth]

I still don't see how my original answers were misleading.  Any reasonable person should be able to understand what I was saying.  If you could clue me in to how I was being facetious, that'd be appreciated.

I don't believe in mincing words when witnessing either.  But I believe everything should be presented as clearly, fairly, and correctly balanced as possible.  And in my opinion, Jack Chick isn't doing this.  His ideas seem rather radical (Roman Catholics are not Christian, all Rock music is from the devil, even Christian rock, etc...)  He uses a scare tactic in trying to convert people.  He also plays into ALL types of offensive stereotypes and I just wondered why people advocate his work.

And for the record, I have seen people walking down the street with signs that say "repent or go to hell."  Carried by people passing out these tracts. 

[airIam2worship]

God does not play games, ruth, as a matter of fact He is very straight forward and that is what BEP, Pastor Roger, and myself are trying to tell you.

You seem to get pleasure out of nit-picking God's Word. Why is it that you just can't take God's Word for what it is.

My advice to you is read the pray and ask God for wisdom before you start to read His Word, and let God's Word lead you. You can never go wrong by following what the Bible says.

Stop trying to dig into why other people do things the way they do, you can not control how everyone does things.

And for the record, each and everyone of us will stand before the Throne of God and we will be face to face with Him, at that time we will answer to Him and Him alone.

My main concern is pleasing God not man.

[Jessie]

And for the record, each and everyone of us will stand before the Throne of God and we will be face to face with Him, at that time we will answer to Him and Him alone.

My main concern is pleasing God not man.

Amen to that!!

[Shammu]

I believe there are better, more effective ways of witnessing than chucking chick tracts at people.  Or yelling at them through megaphones.  Or walking around town with signs that say "REPENT OR SPEND ETERNITY IN HELL!!!!" 

As a friend of mine would say, and I am paraphrasing, "God isn't saying lets make a deal, God is saying, this is the deal." Gods Word, is Gods Word. There is no nit-picking Gods Word, God said it I believe it.

[Shammu]

And for the record, each and everyone of us will stand before the Throne of God and we will be face to face with Him, at that time we will answer to Him and Him alone.

My main concern is pleasing God not man.

AMEN!!

[nChrist]

Ruth,

I was just reading and reflecting on this thread and couldn't help but think what could possibly be worse than being lost and on your way to hell. I'm also thinking about the misery of sin and being without JESUS in this short life. NOTHING COULD BE WORSE!

I don't personally agree with the harsh tactics used by some in witnessing, but being lost without JESUS would be much worse. If I was lost without JESUS, I might even appreciate being hit with that sign that says "repent or go to hell" to wake me up and make me think about my path and destination.

Knowledge of sin and the consequences of sin must be and is one of the steps to Salvation and JESUS. So, I won't be so harsh and critical of that person holding the sign "repent or go to hell". That wouldn't be the method that I would choose to witness, but GOD uses all kinds of people and methods to reach the lost.

Love in Christ,
Tom

Colossians 2:13-17 NASB  When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day -- things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

[Calsgal]

I don't carry signs around in that manner but when I witness to someone I don't mince words. Jesus Christ Himself said in Luk 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. I see no mincing of words in that statement either.

God is a God of love but He is also a God of wrath. As long as salvation is taught it does not matter or do you reject the teaching of Phillipians 1 ?

I agree.

Unless men see and understand they have broken Gods law and that they deserve punishment, they will never see a need for a saviour .

Before one can accept mercy they must know they have already been judged guilty !