I think of Christ's life. People were drawn to him… people who were broken and needed healing physically and emotionally. There were those who recognized they needed his salvation right then.

On the other hand, there were those so immersed in the world that they completely rejected him and had him killed on the cross.

I think we try to forget all the details in the later. While Christ died for our salvation (we remember this), he was also killed at the hands of people (people who thought he was a jerk? maybe). Christians have painted a picture of a "nice" Jesus, a hippie-love Jesus. That kind of love is a lie. Jesus loved in a way that for some people it united them to him for eternity and for others it pushed them away. Not because of Jesus' doing but because their worldview was so separate and blind to God's view.

So I ask why are we scared of sounding like a jerk? Anyone who doesn't agree with something you say on a strong level is going to think you're a jerk if you believe the opposite. That's just the laws of the world.

If we speak truth!… then some will be drawn to it and recognize they need Christ's salvation. At the same time some will feel pushed away because they are immersed in their worldview and can't decipher or recognize absolute truth (to them it doesn't exist). Doesn't mean we shouldn't share it, at the risk of sounding like a jerk.

Justin, I love this! Thanks for sharing it. I have to admit though, I'm confused about the part with the hamster and the toaster and then the guy is riding on the flying hamster. Reminds me of my bizarre pregnancy dreams…boy I had some doozies!

I was just assuming (perhaps incorrectly) you stood for the usual position of people who scold Christians for not loving outsiders enough – and that's they don't balance their talk of love with a real sense of Christian morality. Perhaps you're not one of these folks?

Sounding like a jerk? Well, unfortunately people's ears are gonna hear what they hear. I certainly strive to be as charitable as I can be when dealing with people not like me. But we can't hold back the truth at all expenses. Certainly I don't walk up to people who don't live Christian lifestyles and start berating them. However, at some point these people do need to hear the gospel message which Jesus often began with the word "repent".

My comments were intended to deal with the public square and the fact that many Christians are saying the proper response to the cultural challenges we face is just to bow out. I obviously disagree with that position.

And yes, the breakdown of the heterosexual marriage is of a great concern. However, that doesn't mean we shouldn't defend marriage on other levels.

Unfortunately, I'm afraid you totally missed the point of the video. Would I let my son stick his finger in a light socket? Absolutely not, but I wouldn't berate him if he did.

Interestingly, I have been clear since day one on my personal convictions towards gay marriage, but I'm afraid you've chosen to disregard them.

Ben, let me put it straight: Do you think you can take a strong position on an issue and not sound like a jerk? Do you believe that's possible?

This mentality is unbelievably shallow. The question is how best do we love? Am I loving my son if I let him stick his finger in an electric socket? Am I loving our society when I endorse "gay marriage" even though it spurs on the breakdown of society's building block the family. If you disagree with that statement at least address it instead of continuing to misframe the debate at hand.

http://www.benanderson.us/2009/04/jimmy-akin-on-t…