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Cutoffs -- Principles Cut-offs not the same as misunderstandings: Misunderstandings means they actually don’t know what we said. Cut-offs means they know, and they want to stop talking. Cut-offs are not just a “difference” People expect that religions will be different. They might find the difference interesting. They might want to debate you, not leave you. Our goal::Avoid “premature” cut-offs Premature means before they hear the gospel We cannot prevent them from being offended at the gospel “The offense of the cross” This includes the idea of being a sinner, needing a savior, That only death can pay for sin, 1 Cor. 1:23 “Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews Mark 14:27 “you all will be offended because of me.” Matt 11:6. “Blessed is he who is not offended because of me.” The word offended in these verses is “skandalizo” which means “to put a stumbling block” If your listener is offended because of the cross, it is not your fault. Sometimes, if the person stops talking, you can take it as proof the person understood correctly Matt 18:6 Jesus warns those who would offend “little ones.” What type of things would cause someone to refuse to talk? Attack the person – you are stupid Attack their values – don’t fixate on your ancestors Offend their values – insensitivity to holy places Immorality Examples: Judaism Callousness toward holocaust Disrespect for Torah Islam Associate them with terrorists Jesus as God Hinduism Buddhism Chinese Animism. See text page 43.
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