Do people change their minds?

[Neison]

I recently discovered the world of apologetics and have been reading such sites as tektonics.org, christian-thinktank.com, theskepticsreview.org, and whatever else I happen to run into.

I am obviously finding people who are deeply rooted and firm in what they believe to be 'true' and are quite able to defend their beliefs.

My question is simply this, is there evidence of people being converted or 'de-converted' (or whatever) because of what they are reading -- especially in relation to theologyweb.com? Are we seeing Atheists become Christians after reading a series of debates involving Holding? Vice versa?

Thanks for the replies :)

[bar Jonah]

I used to be a witch, publicly active in the neo-pagan community.

Today, I'm a part-time street preacher and apologetics instructor with the (in)famous GODISNOWHERE ministry of truth and challenge.

So, you tell me. :read:

[Neison]

Today @ 06:55 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=148531#post148531)
RightIdea:

I used to be a witch, publicly active in the neo-pagan community.

Today, I'm a part-time street preacher and apologetics instructor with the (in)famous GODISNOWHERE ministry of truth and challenge.

So, you tell me. :read:

How did you come to faith in Christ?

The main premise of my question is if all the debates between websites and in forums such as these lead people to Christ or away from Him.

After people debate so fiercely for one side, how often do we see them go make a 180?

[doulos]

In my opinion if a non-believer sees the debates they may be turned off to Christianity, because they think "Oh, well they cant even make up their mind about what they believe." But if a person is really looking for an answer then they will really look at what is being said and take it into consideration.

[jason]

I'm in two minds about how useful this sort of thing is.

But, one thing I do know to be true with this sort of thing.

You wont ever reach your direct debate opponent (well I guess you might, God can do anything, but experience suggests it is at best an unusual event) but there are people watching on the side lines, and these are the people that will be reached.

Jason

[bar Jonah]

Today @ 01:57 AM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=149050#post149050)
jason:

I'm in two minds about how useful this sort of thing is.

But, one thing I do know to be true with this sort of thing.

You wont ever reach your direct debate opponent (well I guess you might, God can do anything, but experience suggests it is at best an unusual event) but there are people watching on the side lines, and these are the people that will be reached.

Jason
You took the words right out of my mouth, Jason. I wouldn't say NEVER, but almost never. Yes, the audience is the real focus.

But don't underestimate the value all of this has in the general pursuit of truth for yourself and others. Even if no one is persuaded (which is most of the time), people still can learn quite a bit! I've learned about many theological views in greater depth here at TW. A couple years ago, I was persuaded away from covenentalism and classical theism to mid-Acts dispensationalism and open theism. So far, I haven't been persuaded away from them, but I am always looking for truth, even if it's something I don't like or expect. And in the end, debate and discussion can sharpen us all, and if nothing else, can help us understand the real and false foundations for our own beliefs.

Then, when we discuss these things in everyday life wiht people with whom we have ongoing relationships, THAT'S where people are more likely to be persuaded toward or away from one thing or another. :ri:

[Homie]

RIGHTIDEA
(...)but I am always looking for truth, even if it's something I don't like or expect.

HOMIE
That is a good attitude, many people do not have this attitude and the discussion only leads to hardened hearts on both sides. This is sadly often the case in discussions.

[spanky]

I would agree, in the sense of iron sharpening iron. Some of my beliefs aren't very firm, simply because I'm (gulp) ignorant. In some contexts, it comes across as being wishy-washy. I'm just constantly learning, I guess.

[bar Jonah]

07-19-2003 @ 12:34 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=153339#post153339)
Homie:
HOMIE
That is a good attitude, many people do not have this attitude and the discussion only leads to hardened hearts on both sides. This is sadly often the case in discussions.
Yes, well, the world is a highly organized system of evil at war with God. But miracles happen in the hearts of men and women all over the world, every day. :ripurple:

[Jaltus]

I think the comment about those in the sidelines is dead on. I know of one person who read a few debates between orthodox Christians and Christadelphians (a form of unitarianism) who started off a unitarian and came away a Trinitarian.

[bar Jonah]

Today @ 09:54 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=199063#post199063)
Jaltus:
I think the comment about those in the sidelines is dead on. I know of one person who read a few debates between orthodox Christians and Christadelphians (a form of unitarianism) who started off a unitarian and came away a Trinitarian.
Anyone who has formally studied debate knows this is a centuries-old principle that is exceedingly important to keep in mind. The GODISNOWHERE team practices this principle in our tent/booth all the time, as people (even audiences) come up to observe a conversation/debate/argument we're having with one or two individuals.