Replying to YouTube users

One of the downsides of the Internet -- and to YouTube in particular -- is that it offers a public forum to everyone with an opinion ... even if they have no real knowledge of the subject on which they are opinionating. And Christianity is one of those areas that really inspires ignorant opinions and rants.

I usually don't reply to comments on YouTube, but once in a while it's just worth it. After finally getting the video "Faith Is Gift" posted, the first comments were positive and encouraging. That's to be expected, since the first people who would be aware of the video would be friends and GCA supporters. But a fellow named ClumseyRoot apparently stumbled on the video and just couldn't pass up the opportunity to throw a little bitterness at the Christians. What he didn't expect, apparently, was a Christian who would hold his feet to the proverbial fire. Here's the exchange -- (by the way, I'm SBGGCA, which stands for Salvation By Grace / Grace Christian Assembly)

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ClumsyRoot (3 hours ago)

Faith is egotism. Believing in something because you want it to be true is nothing more than a manifestation of self-centeredness and self-interest.

SBGGCA (1 hour ago)

ClumsyRoot, my first instinct was just to delete your comment. But, I'm going to let it stand because it makes the very point this video is advancing. Faith is not something humans can exercise at will. I looked at your homepage. It's filled with Darwinism and anti-Creation propaganda. Fair enough. But, had you understood this video you would know that I am not contending for "believing in something because you want it to be true." I'm saying quite the opposite.

I'm arguing that the language of the Bible precludes the ability to believe in Christ unless that faith is given to you. That's what the Bible quite literally says. You don't believe because you cannot believe. And that's the state of every natural human. I am not surprised that a Darwinist does not believe and would deride those who do. The Bible says you would. Thank you for confirming my argument.

ClumsyRoot

Please go with your first instinct and delete my comment. Are you familiar with a logical fallacy known as "begging the question"?

SBGGCA (32 minutes ago)

Sure I'm familiar with it. But, if you're implying that my argument is circular, I wonder if you're familiar with it. What I presented was simple exegesis of a Bible passage. I'm arguing for perspicuity. So I'm stating facts based on what it says. I did not start with a premise and force it into my conclusion. I let the words on the page speak. By the way, if you want your comment deleted, that's fine. But, asking follow up questions is not the way to get it done.

ClumsyRoot

Fine. Delete it and let's be done with this.

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I honored his request and deleted his comment. It's funny how his first comment was so confident in its assertions and he later wanted it removed. I guess it didn't hold up under scrutiny and he didn't like being challenged. So, it's gone now. But, I wanted to share it here on the blog because it's indicative of the sort of posturing and empty rhetoric that is typical of most anti-Christian folk. And they need to be held accountable for what they say. But when you do challenge them, they usually fold under the pressure.

Oh well. Another ill-formed opinion the world will have to live without.