Serpents and Doves
The William Lane Craig (WLC) Reasonable Faith Tour is drawing to a close. Craig has been visiting different major cities across the UK over the last few weeks, debating with the academic elite for the existence of God and the historical reliability of Jesus’ resurrection.
He debated Stephen Law, lecturer in Philosophy at Heythrop College, London and editor of the magazine of the Royal Institute of Philosophy THINK on 17 October. He invited Richard Dawkins to debate ‘Is God a Delusion?’ on 25 October. Dawkins’ refusal has caused some to accuse him of cowardice, although he has made a public statement asserting that he would refuse to debate anyone who is an ‘apologist for genocide’. Bloggers in the Telegraph and The Guardian joined a throng of voices questioning Dawkins’ reason for refusal.
The publicity of this event has caused bloggers, journalists, tweeters and academics to respond with a flurry of publications, articles and statements; opinion is polarised and some positions are aggressively entrenched.
As I have watched the dialogue unfold, and have read and engaged with different positions and opinions on the matter, I have begun to appreciate the very great need for Christian leaders who are ‘as wise a serpents, but as innocent as doves’ (Matthew 10:16). I increasingly believe that our generation need these leaders in greater and greater numbers.
I attended the bethinking.org conference in London on 22 October where Craig encouraged us to think about our faith and prayerfully ask God that we might be able to represent Christianity as an intellectually viable option in our generation. I am pleased that young Christians are being encouraged to engage Christianity’s critics. It is very much needed.
But as the debate becomes increasing public and, dare I say it, political, I believe we need those that are not only intellectually capable of defending Christianity, but those that God has gifted with the wisdom to respond appropriately. We need those with an ability to meet the challenge we are given, but also to do so innocently and with integrity, aware that we represent our Lord.
I will end with a question. I have been unable to answer this for myself, so perhaps you may be able to help me. I have come across Christians who feel that the advertising for the WLC Tour has been appropriate, and those that have thought it has not. Interestingly, I believe it may depend on what you think being ‘as wise as serpents, but as innocent as doves’ actually means in practice. Publicity for the WLC Tour has been a ‘responding in kind’. Dawkins publicly denounces and discredits Christianity to the point of making a mockery of our faith, and therefore the WLC Tour has been public in its criticism of Dawkins and his followers. A few years ago Ariane Sherine, who was supported by Dawkins, used bus advertising to promote the motto: “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life”. Therefore, in response to Dawkins refusal to debate WLC, the organisers used a bus to advertise the words: “There’s probably no Dawkins. Now stop worrying and enjoy 25 October at the Sheldon Theatre’. This video shows further advertising for the WLC Tour.
In many ways we are responding in kind and sticking up for ourselves. But I have heard some say that they thought it went a little too far. I am undecided. Perhaps we are just not used to sticking up for ourselves, and are a little shocked by the result? Should we, then, present ourselves less aggressively by flapping our innocent wings and cooing gently, perhaps?
Comments
By Andrew Wilson on 27/10/2011 at 11:19
Great post Ruth - and on your question, I personally think the answer is to be found in the Bible’s only (and deliberate) contradiction: Proverbs 26:4-5.
By Richard Spear on 27/10/2011 at 15:00
I’m a big fan of a bit of satire and I think it was well warranted for this particular (non) debate. I think it has helped some such as Dr Came to see that the issue of God’s existence is not merely a dispassionate discussion of positions of philosophy.
By Peter Byrom on 27/10/2011 at 18:26
Hello! Like the article!
I should let you know that I edited the video about the BHA, which you linked to. It should also be known this was not official promotion - rather my own expression of letdown and criticism of the humanist “trinity”.
You raise a good point about where to draw the line, and how to retain gentleness and respect. My feeling, however, is that I think they pulled it off! Ultimately, initiatives like the bus campaign were satirical moves with a serious message. A sign that Christians are not only willing to stand up and engage, but that we can do it with a sense of humour that so many assume is an exclusive gift to non-believers and secularists!
That said, I only became Christian again last Tuesday (having fallen out of faith in university, then discovered the works of William Lane Craig et al via Richard Dawkins himself) so if I’ve any lessons to learn I’m sure extra guidance will be forthcoming (praying for it too)!
Blessings!
Peter Byrom
By Ruth Preston on 28/10/2011 at 23:59
Hello Peter (and any reader)
Thank you for your comment, it’s great to get your input. Firstly, I very much enjoyed your video. I certainly agree that humour should not be neglected by Christians. (In fact I have often thought that Christian ‘fellowship’ in the Bible most definitely included humour! but that is going off on a tangent!).
Am I right in thinking that the becoming a Christian last ‘Tuesday’, was a typo? It’s just that I figured your research with Lain Craig and Dawkins must have taken longer than a week? Plus your video was made longer than a week ago. Either-way, I’m glad to hear that you have come back to the Lord. (I also drifted away at Uni for a while - But it was Michael Ramsdon and Ravi Zacharius that helped me think about my faith again - another tangent!)
I am becoming increasingly convinced that using humour and satire is an appropriate and effective way of countering Christianity’s Critics, in some circumstances, but perhaps not all circumstances. I believe Dawkins and the New Atheists might be a very good example of an appropriate circumstance.
Wilson above helps us at this point - Sometimes one way is effective, and sometimes another way. I suppose what I am saying is: we need to be wise in each situation as to the way we respond - as I think this will be different in different contexts. AKA ‘Wise as serpents, and as innocent as doves’.
What are your thoughts?
By Peter Byrom on 29/10/2011 at 10:08
Definitely not a typo! I’ve been researching at arms length, and critical of the New Atheists, for the past three years, but only the other week thought I’d better actually commit again! :-)
By Luke on 30/10/2011 at 23:13
Thanks for posting this Ruth, it had been itching me too.
I think the bottom line for me is that I wouldn’t want to respond to Dawkins at all in the same manner as they have responded to Christianity, as they don’t seem all that Christlike. The ‘empty chair’ tactic and some of the snarky comments from Christians seem similarly too small for us who have something so big to say about Someone so wonderful.
By Ruth Preston on 31/10/2011 at 13:48
Hi Peter
Well congratulations on coming back to the Lord – It’s very exciting indeed!
Luke – I have heard similar things from others as well. It’s difficult to always know what is wise . . . however, there might be a difference between innocent satire and unhelpful comments made by Christians who get the wrong end of the stick, perhaps?
By Peter Byrom on 04/11/2011 at 04:08
I’m dropping in on CKK Brighton this Saturday.
Who can I expect to see there? :-)
By Richard Spear on 05/11/2011 at 15:36
Peter - I’d be very interested to meet you. I head up apologetics at CCK, are you around for the evening service on Sunday? Feel free to drop me a line. I’m sure Ruth will be there too.
By Ruth Preston on 15/12/2011 at 10:50
Peter, I have only just seen this comment! Did you meet with Rich?
By Peter Byrom on 15/12/2011 at 22:15
I certainly did! But didn’t read this page before, so he sort of jumped at me, lol! Yea had a great chat. Loved the service too!
By Ruth Preston on 29/01/2012 at 10:13
Ah, I’m pleased - when you are next around drop me a line on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)