My boss is a skeptic

[staythecourse]

My boss asked me: What do you think of R.C. Sproul?

Then we get into a discussion where he devalues Scripture and in essence says that we need to look at Scripture with new eyes as we discover new truths outside Scripture.

I tried to have him get specific and he offered the creation story. To him it's a symbolic story where Adam is simply a reference to mankind.

I told him Paul refers to him as being a real person, Jesus referred to him as well as real, and "through the disobedience of one man sin entered the world so through one man's obedience the many were made righteous."

He gave me a blank stare when I said, "and we agree Jesus was the Son of God, right?" If he references Adam as a real person we can take it as such.

He knew of Phil Johnson and his stance with Scripture and does not agree with him at all.

Any points of attack you think might help?

 

[Zenas]

Any points of attack you think might help?

Surprise is always a good element. I think there's something to be said for waiting in the dark with a knife right before he enters work. I think too few people take advantage of this method, and most ruin it with long, drawn out fights when they could have had a quick kill or maim.

 

[staythecourse]

But man, I thought they'd put me in jail for that type behavior. But, you're a lawyer and probably know more about the finer points of the law. He get's to work about 8 am. I should probably hit the hay early. Could be a rough day tomorrow.

Thanks Andrew.

 

[Zenas]

Not a problem.

Also, I'm not a lawyer and none of that was legal advice.

 

[BJClark]

Prayer...it's our best weapon..

 

[Mushroom]

That blank stare is indicative of something, Bryan. Bobbi may be right, prayer may be the only weapon you can use now, unless and until God removes that inability to comprehend. Just be ready to give an answer...

 

[PresbyDane]

 

[nicnap]

Any points of attack you think might help?

Surprise is always a good element. I think there's something to be said for waiting in the dark with a knife right before he enters work. I think too few people take advantage of this method, and most ruin it with long, drawn out fights when they could have had a quick kill or maim.

 

[Poimen]

Other than prayer and violence...

Does he value scripture at all? From what you have shared with us he seems to have some regard for it.

If so, ask him: why do you value scripture? Do you, for example, believe that all scripture is God breathed? (2 Tim. 3:16) If so, why did God lie (fail to tell us the whole truth) in certain parts of His Word and not in others? If so can any part of the Bible be regarded as true/factual?

Finally, how does one rightly interpret scripture to know what is factual in it and what it is merely symbolic? Where is the source of your hermeneutic (interpretive grid)? From scripture or outside of scripture? If from scripture, why do you devalue it since your guidelines of interpretation are being directed by scripture? If outside, on what authority?

 

[Jesus is my friend]

Any points of attack you think might help?

Surprise is always a good element. I think there's something to be said for waiting in the dark with a knife right before he enters work. I think too few people take advantage of this method, and most ruin it with long, drawn out fights when they could have had a quick kill or maim.

I've used this passage in prayer for people and believe it to be an excellent weapon I believe God uses to reach the blind and lost

24 And the Lord's servant [1] must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,(ESV)


and If that does'nt work I would suggest come into work dressed in a full suit of armour and strike your boss about the head repeatedly with a rubber chicken

 

[PresbyDane]

Just to comment on your title, I think everybodies boss is!

 

[Skyler]

Any points of attack you think might help?

Surprise is always a good element. I think there's something to be said for waiting in the dark with a knife right before he enters work. I think too few people take advantage of this method, and most ruin it with long, drawn out fights when they could have had a quick kill or maim.

...

and If that does'nt work I would suggest come into work dressed in a full suit of armour and strike your boss about the head repeatedly with a rubber chicken

Alternatively, one could try heaping coals of fire on his head. That works with surprising regularity.

 

[discipulo]

Yes prayer is so important, and God will give you wisdom.
I suggest quoting Scripture as you share the Gospel.


Once I spent a long time sharing the Gospel with a friend and I was just arguing and explaining on my own reasoning, and he argued back.
And I just felt it was just a long discussion, with not much clarity accomplished that evening. God knows.
But next morning the Lord reminded me of this passage

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net. Luke 5:5

Since then, when I share the Gospel with someone, I try to quote as much Scripture as possible.
The Word is the Sword of the Spirit and can reach the depth of man’s soul and spirit.

 

[Augusta]

Actually it sounds like he doesn't value the scriptures. Ask him why, if he doesn't believe the scriptures are true, does he give them any credence at all? If he just wants nice sounding advice and not truth tell him to try Buddism or something. Tell him Christianity demands that you believe God and God says that he breathed out the scriptures and that they are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Tell him straight out that anything but that and he is making up his own religion and he needs to name it something else.

 

[staythecourse]

Other than prayer and violence...

Does he value scripture at all? From what you have shared with us he seems to have some regard for it.

If so, ask him: why do you value scripture? Do you, for example, believe that all scripture is God breathed? (2 Tim. 3:16) If so, why did God lie (fail to tell us the whole truth) in certain parts of His Word and not in others? If so can any part of the Bible be regarded as true/factual?

Finally, how does one rightly interpret scripture to know what is factual in it and what it is merely symbolic? Where is the source of your hermeneutic (interpretive grid)? From scripture or outside of scripture? If from scripture, why do you devalue it since your guidelines of interpretation are being directed by scripture? If outside, on what authority?

Good plan of attack. I write so I'll quote the I Tim 3:16 passage and build an argument from there. I am sure I do not understand his stance in full but he is certainly putting man's opinion of the Word over it's true authority.

-----Added 1/31/2009 at 08:45:58 EST-----

Thanks all of you. He's a good boss in many ways - gentle, and easy-going and talks to warehouse rats like myself. I'll be praying for him. IF stuff comes up in the near future with him, I'll repost. His name is Darren for all you pray-ers.