Rick Mattson's Blog, page 5

What I’m Working On: Part 1

The life I lead is not necessarily fascinating. So why share with you what I’m “working on”? Well, just to keep the conversation going. To keep the ideas flowing. To pass on what I’m learning. First thing of note I’m working on living inside-to-out. That is, to make my starting point prayer and Scripture, then build out from there. The ...

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Sorry for the all the blog notices today

Dear subscribers, Multiple emails went out from by blog site today into your inbox. Sorry about that. I’m working with a developer to migrate to a new website, and something malfunctioned today. The developer is working to correct it. I’ll check in again tomorrow. Again, my apologies.

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“Meta” Part 2 of 2: Intellectual Virtue

In the prior post I mentioned three criteria for evaluating religious truth claims: coherence, explanatory ability, and evidence. These criteria, however, are mere concepts. They don’t do any work in themselves. A crucial question then is, What is our part? What is our personal responsibility for properly utilizing the three criteria? The meta I’d like to suggest that our part ...

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“Meta” Part 2: Intellectual Virtue

In the prior post I mentioned three criteria for evaluating religious truth claims: coherence, explanatory ability, and evidence. These criteria, however, are mere concepts. They don’t do any work in themselves. A crucial question then is, What is our part? What is our personal responsibility for properly utilizing the three criteria? The meta I’d like to suggest that our part ...

Read More

The post “Meta” Part 2: Intellectual Virtue appeared first on Rick Mattson Outreach Ministry.

“Meta” Part 1 of 2: Evaluating Religious Truth Claims

Meta: I’m trying in this series to get at how we think about issues. That’s different than examining the issues themselves. Hence “meta” — to think about our thinking. One day Mormon missionaries came to my door. I invited them in. I’ve always had an affection for the LDS (Latter Day Saints). They encouraged me to read the Book of ...

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The post “Meta” Part 1 of 2: Evaluating Religious Truth Claims appeared first on Rick Mattson Outreach Ministry.

“Meta” Part 1: Evaluating Religious Truth Claims

Meta: I’m trying in this series to get at how we think about issues. That’s different than examining the issues themselves. Hence “meta” — to think about our thinking. One day Mormon missionaries came to my door. I invited them in. I’ve always had an affection for the LDS (Latter Day Saints). They encouraged me to read the Book of ...

Read More

The post “Meta” Part 1: Evaluating Religious Truth Claims appeared first on Rick Mattson Outreach Ministry.

Evangelism for All Time, Part 5: Front Door, Side Door (conversation skills)

Part 4, “Reverse Evangelism” is here. In evangelistic conversation, start with the Side Door In witness, when you begin a statement with the words, “As a Christian, I . . . ,” you’re using the Side Door. That is, you’re telling something of your story and beliefs. You’re being testimonial. For example, you might say, “As a Christian, I pray ...

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Evangelism for All Time, Part 4: Reverse Evangelism

The previous post on discerning God’s voice is here Recently I was turned from subject to object, from evangelist to evangelized. As is my custom on the golf course, I got talking with my playing partners about the topic of religion. They were an older couple bubbling with good humor and grace. Their identification on the 6th hole as “Jehovah’s ...

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The post Evangelism for All Time, Part 4: Reverse Evangelism appeared first on Rick Mattson Outreach Ministry.

Reverse Evangelism

The previous post on discerning God’s voice is here Recently I was turned from subject to object, from evangelist to evangelized. As is my custom on the golf course, I got talking with my playing partners about the topic of religion. They were an older couple bubbling with good humor and grace. Their identification on the 6th hole as “Jehovah’s ...

Read More

The post Reverse Evangelism appeared first on Rick Mattson Outreach Ministry.

Evangelism for All Time, Part 3: Discerning God’s Voice (2)

The first post on Discerning God’s Voice is here. How do we actually hear God’s voice in evangelism? I’d like to suggest that it begins a couple of steps earlier — in private devotion. John 10:27 says, “My sheep listen to my voice.” The best way to tune in to the voice of the Good Shepherd is to hear it ...

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