Recently, I experienced a humbling, yet insightful experience…

I, along with two of my kids (although, at ages 18 and 20, they are hardly “kids”!), headed south to Nashville from Cincinnati, specifically, to Vanderbilt University. We were looking forward to attending the “I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist” seminar. If you are not familiar, please allow me to explain.

I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist, is a book written by Dr. Frank Turek, who has an apologetics ministry, Cross Examined (www.crossexamined.org). Having been a fan since stumbling across his podcast, (and reading two of his books, Stealing from God and I don’t have enough faith to be an Atheist), I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend this seminar, and to see him in-person!

Dr. Turek travels across the country speaking to hundreds of college students who attend seminars such as this. And while the auditoriums are filled with numerous Christians, many non-believers, atheists and agnostics, are also present. This is by design as there is, almost always, an opportunity to ask Dr. Turek a question on a microphone in front of the attendees.

Oftentimes, these questions are asked by Christians, while other times these are asked by the skeptics. And while most colleges and universities make the ardent claim that the university is the appropriate setting for the exchange of differing and opposing thoughts and ideas, sadly for Evangelical Christians, far too many are silenced (either officially, or unofficially). This is why events such as his one, are key. Ideas and arguments are best made in-person, not, on social media!

Dr. Turek finished his presentation (to a near-capacity crowd), and now entered the opportunity for questions to be asked. Numerous attendees, from college age and beyond, asked a plethora of questions. Though many of the questions seemed genuine, others came across not necessarily as questions, but rather as pointed and calculated attacks, disguised as questions. To be sure, I have no issue with this; this was the proper environment for the exchange of ideas, differing as they may be.

One person in particular, asking a question stood out to me. Appearing to be thoroughly, yet in some way, suspiciously ready, he fired off a question. Immediately, Dr. Turek recognized him! It was shared that this individual was at the previous college where Dr. Turek spoke. Dr. Turek attempted to answer this person’s (Forrest was his name, I believe) question, however, Forrest was not at all pleased with the answer, feeling it was either unanswered or insufficient; clearly, Forrest was attempting to prove a point (honestly though, it was difficult, for me at least, to decipher his goal!).

With his sheet of paper in hand, Forrest carefully asked his questions. It was quite obvious Forrest was trying his very best to trip up Dr. Turek, although, as I previously mentioned, where he was attempting to go, was not clear. The question asked had to do with the creation of the universe. Apparently, Forrest took issue with the premise, and felt that Dr. Turek, was misleading the audience.

At the conclusion of the Q &A time, the seminar ended. I noticed my son, Jase, was talking to Forrest, so I thought I would listen in.

Jase is very passionate, and sincere in his faith. He has a heart for reaching the lost, engaging people nearly every day. His story (which I may write about in the future) is raw yet real, sad but full of hope, heart-wrenching and heart-warming all at the same time. Jase, seeks to see people come to a saving relationship with the Savior of the world; it is serious business to him.

So, there I was, listening in as Jase and Forrest were talking. Jase was being genuine, seeking to find out about this person. Forrest, however, seemed to be not seeking anything, other than an argument. I was torn. Should I step in, or stay back? Frustration was clearly on Jase’s face. Like I mentioned earlier, Jase honestly seeks to engage those around him. He yearns to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ; period. Their “conversation” was going nowhere. I stepped in (and Jase appeared relieved as it gave him an out to speak with a college student who had been listening from afar, and who appeared interested in true conversation).

I asked Forrest the following questions: “Excuse me sir, what is your point? Why are you here?”. My intentions were not meant to belittle him, nor attack him. Finding out why he attended and discovering his reasoning behind the comments he was making was my motivation. Looking perplexed, he began to speak, pausing for a moment before replying “I am here to defend science, well, and, it is entertaining!”.

“Defend science? From whom and why?” I said. I thought it was interesting that this individual felt compelled to “defend science” when in fact science says absolutely nothing, scientists do.

“Because I do not want to see science misconstrued”, said Forrest matter-of-factly. Adding, “It is entertaining to see people who actually believe the bible try to defend themselves”.

“So, you are doing this because you like to be entertained or you are an entertainer?”, I quipped.

Forrest, with a devious-looking grin sated “I am not an entertainer, but yes, it is fun watching”.

Attempting to expedite the conversation, I asked “What science is being misconstrued?”

“The creation of the universe, specifically how the Big Bang is being misused”, he sternly said.

With my eyebrows raised, I thought for a moment, then replied “Scientists today overwhelmingly agree in the Big Bang theory.”

“Wrong!”, Forrest shouted, adding, “You too, are misinformed!”(I then realized how Hillary Clinton felt during her debates with Donald Trump).

With a slight chuckle, I asked, “So you are telling me that the late Dr. Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein were incorrect in their assessments that the universe began at the Big Bang?” It was here that Forrest changed his tune, slightly.

“I’m not saying that the Big Bang never occurred, I am saying that the Big Bang did not necessarily create the universe, because it really basically comes down to how the word ‘universe’ is defined.”, Forrest arrogantly stated. Instantly, I was reminded of Bill Clinton as he defended his statement regarding Monica Lewinsky many years ago, when he said, “It depends upon what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.”

I could go on and on,  sharing our entire conversation (which lasted for nearly forty minutes), but I will not suffer you the burden of reading our back-and-forth dialogue. On the contrary, I would like to share what this experience taught me:

The  first thing I learned was that when engaging an unbeliever, it is important to determine if they are truly seeking, or only engaging with in order to attack, and destroy. Forrest, was not a “seeker” by any stretch of the imagination. His sole purpose in attending the event was none other than to attack, and make fun of Christians. Clearly his purpose in conversing with me was to excoriate anything I had to say.

And while it is okay to engage people such as this, as the Holy Spirit could already be working in this person’s life and all they might need is testimony from a Believer, it is key to know when to walk away.

A grand total of four times over the course of our exchange did I attempt to end the conversation. Forrest however, was not having it.. He was what,  apologist Greg Kokul, in his excellent book, Tactics, describes as  a “steamroller”. With persons that exhibit this type of behavior, it is best to walk away. Even Jesus shared in Matthew 10:14 (If anyone does not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town.) that there will be occasions where as Christians, we need to walk away.

The second thing I learned was that I need to make sure that I am “dying on the hill” for the greater things, not the lesser things. Forrest was being overly aggressive with concepts that truly were of no importance. His insistence that the word “universe” was not being used properly, and therefore any argument that I, or anyone else made, in regards to the creation of the universe, was discredited, is ludicrous! Be wary of those individuals that deal in absolutes such as this.

The “right” thing in conversations such as these, is always the Gospel; period. Forrest was bent-on, and determined, to steer the conversation to lesser, minute things. For sure, he believed they were fundamental. The trick is to pay close attention, and to realize when the conversation is being derailed. Numerous times I could have centered the conversation, yet in the heat of the moment, failed to do so!

The third thing I learned is that I need to pray! Yes, this should be a given. However, I came up short in this department. And while I certainly should have been in prayer prior to this conversation, I should have also been in constant prayer, during this conversation. In first Thessalonians 5:17, the Apostle Paul reminds us to “pray constantly”. This could have been done throughout my conversation with Forrest, and, done without me disrespecting him by not paying attention.

To pray constantly, as the Apostle Paul said, is more than praying non-stop. It carries with it, this idea of being in an atmosphere and attitude of prayer. Regretfully I was not in that attitude nor atmosphere of prayer.

Have you ever been frustrated, angry, or just having a bad moment and then someone calls on you to pray? Can you say…awkward? It forces you to instantly, refocus on God, His Son and his Spirit. Or have you been in an argument with a person, and then instead of letting the argument, and negative feelings multiply, you stop, go to the Lord in prayer, and refocus. Then you continue, but now you have a peace, a steadiness; you have been refocused!

If I would have been in an attitude of prayer, I would have handled the situation much more effectively; and in turn, been a better conduit for God’s Spirit and Grace to flow through, and out! We as Followers of  Christ, need constant reminding that an integral part of the Christian faith, is that we are ambassadors, more than individuals who belong to a particular group with similar beliefs. We are representing the Savior of the world to those who desperately need saving (just as much as we do!). Regrettably, at no point was I winsome, and this, is sad.

The final thing I learned is that, thankfully, I serve a God of second chances! I prayed for Forrest that evening when I arrived back at my hotel. But first, I was convicted. I knew I had fallen short, and in doing so, misrepresented the God whom I love and serve. Once I asked for forgiveness, I then lifted up this man, a complete stranger who I had only met hours ago, in prayer. Lastly, I prayed for continued opportunities to converse and engage those who are seeking. And that my friends, is a prayer that God will always honor!