Challenging Unitarian Universalists Beliefs about Jesus and the Bible.
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- Опубліковано 1 сер 2024
- I had the honor to talk with two women who were Unitarian Universalists about Jesus and the Bible. It was a short conversation, but they were very friendly and I'm grateful they took the time to stop and speak with me. Keep them in your prayers!
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My coming to Christ actually began at a UU Fellowship. At our various small group gatherings I would often share that I really liked the "Jesus as Savior" story, though I wasn't sure I bought it entirely. Over time, a growing number of people apparently made it their mission to break me of that. Looking back, I'm pretty sure a group of them decided to seek me out socially so that they could spend more time "working on me". Alas, I was increasingly treated as if I just refused to be enlightened. At the same time, I couldn't help noticing that almost ANY other viewpoint seemed perfectly acceptable. Finally, I had to wonder "Why anything BUT Christianity?". This got me looking into things more deeply until, one day, I just couldn't call myself UU anymore.
❤ your conversion story 😊
@@knightofchrist3594 This was just the beginning. There's so much more to the story. But isn't it wonderful what God can do?
@@angietorok8389Well now you know we want to hear more!!😂 Your story sounds like God drawing you to himself, just as the bible testifies!❤
@@kladies3021 I could seriously write a book, but the short version is that, while attending the UU, I was in a few different abusive homosexual relationships. I was always drunk and frequently in trouble with the law (for petty things). But, over the next 5 years, all that would change. I ended up moving away. I got sober and started my own business. I escaped witchcraft and vowed celibacy rather than continuing in a homosexual lifestyle. Eventually, I met the man who would become my husband. We've been happily married now for 10 years, and recently moved to Wisconsin to establish a more down-to-earth lifestyle. We immediately found a small Biblically sound church that we love. I now drive a school bus and am making it my personal mission to be a representative of Christ to the children in my care. It's been an amazing journey.
God is so good!! I love how He uses our "rebellion" sometimes to highlight exactly who He is! My story is similar but also different, I never got into UU but found a very similar mindset of "anything goes EXCEPT CHRISTIANITY" in New Age circles. I noticed the ONLY thing everyone in the room was always sure about and had in common was flat out rejection of the Bible/Chrstianity, and Jesus as exclusive door to heaven.
Literally everything else was totally cool. Every other perspective welcomed and embraced.
I just had this thought like, "I'm not 100% sure I am ready to completely reject that.. you all seem so sure... I need to dig deeper before I'm fully on board with this whole rejecting of Jesus as God thing"
And God did the rest.. He revealed Himself in a big way after that. All the new age experiences etc pale in comparison. He's good and so faithful!!
I appreciate that you address each issue as it is presented. Thank you! I don't find it annoying at all.
Same!
Completely agree! Loved the commentary!!!
Same!
I agree! I love how organized it all is.
I agree. I appreciate the commentary. I think it's helpful, and helpful to Melissa because then she won't have people making comments she already thought of.
Thank you for showing that witnessing is not perfect, we rely on the Holy Spirit. I don’t have to witness perfectly; I need to be perfect in my willingness to witness, and to illuminate the word of God as inerrant. I don’t argue or fight; I simply share the word of God, truthfully and with respect.
Well said. My wife and I do the same.
@sherynngofa6175
Excellent comment! I will write that down as a reminder for myself.
I just don't know how to go about witnessing. I've tried a little, but not enough! I got the book Tactics but just don't know how to begin as I'm not outgoing!
@@KM-zn3lx U must be Equipped first. Read and Study the Scriptures. Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead you. Every time u get stumped, use that to research the answer for the next encounter.
Good idea to go out with a Mature disciple.
I share the word of god to tell people about his love of slavery, rape and genocide.
One thing I learned about talking to people in a significantly different position: You’re not going to convince them or change their mind in one conversation. I call it the Johnny Appleseed method. Christians usually say “plant seeds”
Sometimes you have to plant so that others may reap. Sometimes you reap where others have sown.
Yes. Rarely do I get the chance to help 'lead' someone to Christ. I plant seeds. God Gives The Increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6-8
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. -Jesus
Careful, cuz it might backfire and turn the other way
This comment is cringe
@@Joshua-dc1bswhat a paranoid, fear based response.
This is what keeps so many Christian’s in the Phariseeans zone…
I promise you, being stuck in fear, instead of living in love (god is love, after all)…will cause more damage than you can possibly imagine.
The thinking behind a comment like yours is what drives divisiveness, and us vs them mentality. Is your god not big enough? Is your god not wise enough? That you can talk to all of the divine’s creation and be ok.
What kind of faith does a person have, if they are afraid of being in contact with others of other beliefs?
THIS is the best format, KEEP doing this format please! :D It was NOT annoying. . . more informative :D
Agreed! Witnessing and also helping us, or me at least, how to witness. Love it! ❤ learned a lot and pray more have the courage and boldness to do this for Jesus!
I was raised in the Unitarian "faith" in Chicago, and I believed that God (in a very indefinite way) existed, but was generally critical of what I saw of how Christianity was practiced (in the US at least). In university I adopted a Buddhist ideology and rejected what some of my Christian classmates tried to share with me. I moved to L.A. and a young man witnessed to me on the street. I had to admit that I really did not know much about Jesus, so I decided to listen and eventually made the decision to accept Christ, after pondering Jesus' profound and absolute statement, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father, but by Me." -- and later was able to lead my Unitarian parents to accept Christ.
wonderful!! Praise God!
Praise God!
Hallelujah!
Praise God! Thank you for sharing!
Praise God! So incredible! It’s amazing how God doesn’t use us to disciple in only one direction, but in every direction. Authority over a person doesn’t make a disciple, truth and Biblical love do. I’m so glad He used you to reach your parents ❤
You are planting so many seeds Melissa. Giving them food for thought. How wonderful. Thank you!!!
“I am not the Holy Spirit. It’s not my job to convict or save them. I’m going out and doing what I feel like I’m gifted in”
That really spoke to me 🤯💯
Came here to say this
I agree with the questions you asked and even the ones you wanted to ask.
I am all about being gracious and keeping the conversation open instead of hitting them directly with the “You’re wrong and headed to Hell!”
The prayer is always that you have another opportunity to speak with someone again and of course that the Holy Spirit opens their eyes to see the Truth.
That's very good because I can assure you that when Christians come at people like that and are unable to have a respectful conversation....it comes off very belittling and judgemental and I think it offends far more people than anything else which would be the opposite of bringing people to know Yeshua....and for me personally whenever I come across people who behave like that it looks like severe brainwashing from my perspective and thus is extremely difficult to take seriously. I think this is even more true for people that have no background w spiritual teachings and/ or religion.
How did the Bible instruct us to go out?
@@squirrelgirl1853 How do you bring people to know Yeshua? I think possibly you can bring people to know about Yeshua, but I think Yeshua is the only one who can bring a person to know Him...have intimate relationship with Him.
@@justpassingthrough2195 I agree....I also think we can bring people to know Him through our example and of course talking about Him....
@@nomdeguerre8464 Go out into all to the world….
Nicely done and very graceful with your presence. As a former new-ager, I really enjoy these even if they make me cringe for what I once wholeheartedly believed. I was deceived as much as anyone, but after reading sacred scripture it became overwhelmingly apparent that Jesus is the one who saves souls.
I actually love the way you do this, Melissa. I think asking questions using a style that respectfully allows the person to express their views is what Jesus did. "Who do you say I am?"
I was a Unitarian Universalist for several years. For me, it was kind of holding space while a certain type of evangelicalism was deconstructed (although no one used that term then), and a deeper, more rounded, grounded and balanced, but theologically orthodox, faith was reconstructed. Without UUs, I might just have sunk away into atheism, and deconstruction would have resulted in apostasy rather than returning, in the end, to a stronger Christian faith.
Wow! It's amazing how God works in such different ways with different people to get them to the Truth.
I'm glad you were able to use UU as a stepping stone to the truth. But here in New England, UU Churches are nothing more than leftist breeding grounds with BLM banners across the front, where anything truly Biblical and orthodox is mocked and shamed and anything occult, feminist, or LGBT is glorified. I get a creepy feeling of disgust every time I have to drive by one... ick!
I like that you are respectful of others when speaking to them
Melissa, make sure to tell folks each time you talk with them to WATCH THE VIDEO THEY'LL BE IN! That way, they can hear all the questions you wish you'd asked at the time but couldn't, or the ones that you think of later.
Well done, sister. I've street evangelized, and it's not easy, despite what some folks might be thinking from the comfort of their couches. 😂
UU and Unity are similar. I attended a Unity church for about two years.. when I heard the pastor say he wanted to rewrite the Bible. It became intolerable for me. I am now Christian and have been baptized.
Thanks Melissa, I heard a lot of Greg Koukl phrases during your commentary 👍🏽🙏
One thing that stood out to me with these two interviewees is that they were utterly biblically illiterate (I'm not mocking or condemning, just stating facts). While their beliefs sounded nice, they proved hollow, which is pitiable for any belief anyone might hold. May God raise up people like me, you, Greg Koukl, etc to gently challenge these hollow beliefs and teach what's in the Bible.
Consider the irony-- the Bible is currently more accessible AND readable to all Americans than at any other time in human history, yet Americans are more biblically illiterate than ever. 😢
If you're not Born Again, you're not Born Again....
Interrupting the interview wasn't annoying AT ALL! I love learning from you. And you're right - they were so generous to share with you.
I love your approach! Not pushing “religion down their throats” and condemnation. You planted a seed and that is good!
What's wrong with a more direct approach?
@@Psycho--Troll_Slayer strawman much?
I couldn't agree more!!
@@Psycho--Troll_Slayer😂😂😅😅
@@nomdeguerre8464smh. Stop yourself nomdeguree.
NO ONE said, nor insinuated that there is anything wrong with being direct. So please...do not put words in ppls mouths. That's one of the reasons the rest of us appreciate Melissa so much: Bc she is VERY direct...infact, as direct as direct can get, as well as clear &uncompromising.
As far as your comment; "strawman much?". That sarcastic snark is highly uncalled-for & does not belong in this comment section. This is "Melissa's house". Youd ought to behave yourself & demonstrate the respect & decorum she deserves by treating her company/her viewers with the same respect & decorum you would if we were all sitting with the Dougherty's at their dinner table having a convo.
How's THAT for "direct"?
First you're not annoying nor is the presentation of your videos. I love the way you are tackling this. Humility and being humble is the way. I'm sure you'll be ready if the conversation turns aggressive. Making them think and allowing us to see you in action is a blessing, thank you. Keep up the great work!
These videos are great! I love seeing how you engage others in a conversation about Jesus and Christianity. Thank you for sharing them with us. I look forward to more of this type of video.
Love these videos! I am so happy that people have an opportunity to be challenged in a loving way. Hopefully they really do think more deeply about these things afterward 🥰
I'm definitely thinking!
My husband's grandmother is a UU, and I've struggled with figuring out how to talk to her about our different beliefs. She's always giving us and our children books on spiritualism, and for my husband, who is a newer Christian, and our daughter, who is also a newer Christian, it's very confusing. I would love to see more of these kinds of videos, as well as more videos on understanding what UU beliefs actually are, and some good ways to engage with them about the truth of the gospel.
Wonder if she ever saw "A Christmas Carol". Usually convincing someone that the Present came from the Past is usually relatively easy.
Have you suggested that your husband and daughter not read the UU materials ?They are not Biblically based and there is nothing to be gained by reading the material. It is like reading material on the Islamic and trying to understand it in light of Christian beliefs.
@sharondoan1447 Trust me, I wisked those books away as soon as they got here. I've been torn about whether or not to donate this last batch. The last few times, I've actually thrown them away. On the one hand, I don't want someone else to read them and end up confused, but on the other hand, is it ethical for me to throw them out? I'll probably throw then away, but I'm interested in what y'all think.
Perhaps simply asking them how Jesus is the Messiah if he was virgin born "Outside the Male Line of the Kings". This usually fixes a lot of doctrinal issues. Though only if that's your will. ☺
@@cherietillapaughhott1012 Thinking about how I might handle those materials if my relative was sending them to me, I concluded that I would burn them or perhaps shred them. My beliefs are rooted in Jesus as the Savior . Because of that it would be a serious breech of my faith to pass along literature that was not true to my faith. Why? It seems to me that it is outside my duty to spread teachings that I find untrue. I don’t think I owe it to others to provide them with alternative approaches to any religion. There seems to be tons of opportunities for that already.
I really like these interviews because they’re raw and real - not staged - thanks Melissa
Amen! What a great conversation! I'm really just blown away on how long they stayed and honestly answered questions. Praying for them.
Thank you, Melissa, for taking the time to create and edit this
Yes! Thank you so much
This is so vulnerable and valuable of you share with people (us, your viewers). Thank you!! It’s so encouraging to see someone just engaging in thought-provoking, gospel-centric conversations for Jesus’ sake, while doing it imperfectly and not only showing your “best moments” or whatever. This is how seeds are planted! And i think you are doing it faithfully. Thank you for sharing :)
Melissa I really like the narration and info in between the street interview. It's really helpful. Plus it allows you to help educate us as viewers and share things you weren't able to say in the interview.
I think people get more out of being heard and seeing patience and love from a Christian is valuable in itself! You did a great job letting them finish their thought and not correcting them. Maybe offer if they want to you to pray with them about anything at the end. Usually people are welcome to this :) love your videos
My sister commented as we passed a "U.U." building, "I'm not sure what their beliefs are.: And I said, "That's okay, they don't know either."
I liked how you brought us up to speed by explaining as the conversation progressed. Wonderful format, keep it this way please. Very good interview and the rest will be up to the Holy Spirit. In fact it was God who orchestrated this meeting.
Wow! You are an inspiration. You have much more patience than I have, and we can all learn from your method and courage to be open minded while staying steadfast in your faith! Good work!
Love these “apologetics on the go” videos Melissa! You do such a great job 💕
Keep up these interviews, and keep up the commentary! It is sooo helpful to walk thru each interview with you like that.
Just found your channel as I was perusing basketball clips…oddly there you were! Thank you for your testimony and sharing it with us. Very encouraging. God bless you
I really enjoy these videos where you go out and talk to people. You definitely seem to be gifted in this area. Looking forward to seeing more of these.
That's ok Melissa. You are a bright star!
You handled that beautifully...some plant...others water...now they get to ponder these things & hopefully read the gospels
I love the way you did your video this time, I cant wait for the next one!
Praise God! I see him working through you in your grace, humility and kindness. You do a fantastic job to research, understand and converse with people of different beliefs.
When the women spoke about their agnostic beliefs and about ‘goodness’, I think that would have been a great time to jump in to how do we know what is good? Who has the moral authority? To really dig into that and unveil that there is a God. It made me think of Tim Keller’s series ‘Questioning Christianity’ and his book ‘The Reason for God’. I think a lot of people these days love to ask big questions, think, and reason their way to the truth and praise God that in doing that with guidance from the Lord they will find Him 🙏🏽🥳🥰
Very good melissa i enjoyed this format & as always give us food for thought in how we too can approach with love & respect.
Lol ur commentary is never annoying no matter how u do it! Its very helpful and pleasant.
I find it brave and great that you are doing this. It's definitely a learning opportunity for us watching and your humility with presenting this is a great way for you to grow while doing this.
I would say in some ways it prompts me to really think what I believe about the gospel. Do I really understand them and my stance with being a Christian. It's a healthy reminder to examine one's self.
Thank you.
A vote in for this format. Love the commentary inserts. Very educational.
LOVED❤the way u presented this! I enjoyed u breaking down each segment! I enjoyed this video!😊
You are doing AWESOME, Melissa! The format is fantastic, and how you interact with people is wonderful. The Holy Spirit will give you the words. Praying for your ministry, and also for those you are interacting with! God bless you and your family! 😃🙏🏻❤️
We're to plant and water, but God gives the increase.
Wonderful thing you're doing here- making people think about their positions on this! All tastefully done, as well. Calling them out on camera in a way that makes them feel attacked, or "less than" wouldn't be effective. You were very calm, and just had conversations that we all should be having!
Praying for you, and praying for these ladies- that the seeds you planted will take root! 💛
Melissa, thank you so much for your honesty. None of us are perfect. I do think the only thing that could have made this conversation better is just sharing the gospel. Share the truth with them because that's what they need! Notice I'm not saying what I would have done -- I wouldn't even have the courage to approach strangers with a microphone! Overall, great video. I appreciate your commentary interspersed with the conversation. Thanks for your faithfulness to the Truth and sharing with us!
You're excellent at these interviews Melissa! 😊
Love that you can dive right in and get folks to really consider their own position in contrast with the Gospel and real Christianity.
I absolutely LOVE the way you talk to people and share the gospel by asking them questions and challenging them to really think. You have a gift, dear sister. I hope you know that. ❤
So amazing you can do this and feel excited about it! I'm impressed by your ability and ease with talking with people :) I wish they could have stayed longer to talk more, but you were faithful to give them things to think about! Be a stone in their shoe :D
Thanks for this video, Melissa. I love your approach. Hopefully, I’ll learn more of “how to put a stone in someone’s shoe” and try to understand where they’re coming from, rather than forcing my beliefs. You’re right, of course, it’s the job of the Holy Spirit to convict and convince.
Amen sister!
You did great. You will get better every time you do it. Definitely pray for them! I had a UU friend whom I didn’t know was, and it caught me by surprise.
Love these!
This is my favourite videos of yours. I am so impressed at how you consistently encourage people to speak about Jesus abs his Word, not getting sidetracked with other (smaller) issues. I was thinking, havre considered actually having a wee gospel ready to give people after these conversations? You can get them so cheaply and great to be able to just get a readable translation into their hands!
Wow! I had absolutely no idea of the UU until I learned that mom's older sister & brother were members of UU church. Wow I'm 57 years old & still have a lot more to learn to be an effective witness for Jesus! Thank you & yes bring us more of your witnessing! Praise God for YOU!
Great job and great video! Thanks for sharing! Praise GOD! 🙏🙏
This was great, thanks for posting, Melissa!
I really appreciate your style and tone and patience you take.
Clarity over agreement.
This was such a great video. 😊 So interesting. I did learn something from watching it.
Love that you're going out and talking to people. Great job.
I hope they both take the opportunity to meet Jesus one day!
GOD BLESS you melissa for going out there, and having them hopefully something to think about, I asked OUR HEAVENLY FATHER ABBA to soften their hearts and turn to HIM. So thanks again MY SISTER IN CHRIST🔥🩷🙌🏼
Well Done 👏🏽 being in the moment speaking to people on the street, seems like it would intense emotionally and even more ' nerve-racking to watch the replay'. Keep it up. Our community needs more of these respectful conversations. Aka sharing the gospel.
Bless you. Those ladies remind me of how much I need to work on being more patient.
Love the intermittent commentary!
Kudos to you in your outreach. You are so much more gifted in this area than I am and I love learning from you. Thank you.
Thank you this is amazing the way you done this video!
I like these and these really help to be an effective witness for Jesus, thank you for giving to the Lord
New Mexico... nice. I just got a call from a person in NM yesterday about one of my daily devotions I write for a publication.
As believers, we have to get moving with the Gospel. You're on target, Melissa.
I LUV THIS VIDEO AND LIVE FOR CONTENT LIKE THIS . AMAZING WORK CONTINUE WITH THIS STYLE OF INFORMATION AND MORE INFO GATHERING WITH CHALLENGES LIKE THIS . 10\10 LOVE AND WOULD WATCH THIS RATHER THAN A GOOD MOVIE . AWESOME WORK MELISSA !!!!
I am thankful to see in practice exactly what you mentioned at the end:
We are /not/ the Holy Spirit, and laying out all of Theology and Apologetics wouldn’t save someone anyway. It’s sad that we don’t get reminded and see in practice more, how to do what you are gifted in, share your faith, and be listening to where the Holy Spirit leads; He knows just what is needed for a person at any given moment in their lives. ❤️
You are so approachable in talking with strangers. Do you think having a mic makes people more willing to engage?
People seem to want their opinions known. But are they interested in receiving information or challenges to their thinking. Seems they "think" rather than "believe".
I so respect and appreciate you! Keep up the good work!
First time hearing about UU. I did pray for these ladies. Thank you for sharing these videos!
Well done! Your work is very good.
You have a very appealing and engaging nature . Your humility is so refreshing. I love your whole approach!
Wonderful interview! Loved it!
Just came across your channel- much wisdom with humility. Keep reaching the lost to His Glory
I try to ask people- what’s your hope for the next life?
Love love love this approach! Hallelujah!
I think what you were doing, and how you did it, was great!...Your approach of "attract more bees with honey rather than vinegar" is spot on. Ray Comfort from Living Waters is a master with asking the questions like you asked and then injecting the reality and truth of Jesus and the gospel into the conversation. Keep doing what you're doing!
Wow. You've got all kinds of folks in Albu-quirky. Those kinds of conversations are so encouraging. It is good to create positive rapport with unbelievers and give them something to think about. Nicely done.
This is really good. They were honest and you gave plenty of grace.
Interesting interview. I think I have run across unitary universalists before. I’ve noticed they often are able to talk fluently about subjects a mile wide but only go an inch deep which gives the perception of intelligence but It’s been my experience that when asking deep analytical or philosophical questions they deflect and stay in the shallows . I don’t think you would have got much further than you did going through direct route, they likely would have either deflected or cut your conversation short. I believe weather you planted a seed or watered, God gives the increase. Awesome job.
Well, I just applaud your gentle spirit and the way you talked to these ladies. I totally agree with you. You do what you are gifted to do.
Thank you Malissa very helpful. you answered my question i asked you on Facebook
Your reference to putting a stone in their shoe is perfect. I've always thought of it as planting a seed. I enjoyed the video very much.
May God be glorified through your ministry 🙏💝🙏💝🙏
This was great! I am so used to both doing the commentary throughout and also hearing it on other channels that I actually have come to expect it. I really appreciate your comments. It's so valuable to examine ourselves and what we have said so that we can do it better next time.
I'm praying for opportunities to speak with people about the gospel. I applaud you for stepping out in faith. I will be praying for you!
I actually like how you stopped and gave commentary during the conversation replay. Well done, btw.
Great job, I learned a lot.
Great job!! Keep it up. 🙏🏽🙏🏽
I'm happy to take up the mantel of UU belief for you, Melissa. As a Unitarian Universalist, I'm expected to be in covenant with other UU's to basically treat everyone fairly and to work to effect social justice. I am free to believe whatever I believe regarding creation, the beginning of the universe, the afterlife, etc. I grew up in the United Methodist Church, and left that and Christianity about ten years ago. Now I'm an atheist (don't believe in God) and an agnostic (can't rule one out). I've found a spiritual community in my UU church, which doesn't require me to believe in virgin births, or a "loving" God who who consigns most people to burn in Hell for eternity, just because they didn't believe right for their 80 years (more or less) on earth. I posit that you believe in your book because that's what you were indoctrinated to believe in - just like 99% of theists of all religions. Don't waste your prayers asking God to save us UU's. We don't need saving, and prayer doesn't really work!
Thank you for being faithful in being a planter of seeds… which is a vital step in evangelism.
I really like this structure of video where Melissa comments during the video ☺️
I love planting the seeds, but you don't use a HAMMER to plant seeds, this was a great lesson in how to plant GENTLY.
People have different ways. Depends on the situation.
Melissa you handled that with grace, dignity and truth. Keep up the good work and study.
Nice to see you again Melissa
I think the best thing that you do in these 'on the street interviews' is that you invite the people that you talk to, to investigate on their own, on their own terms. You don't finish by handing them a flyer and inviting them to your church. Your interviews are very nicely done. I rarely agree with most things you say but I find your style enjoyable and always thought provoking.
Kudos to you sis for doing this! If I could give one piece of advice, when telling people to read the gospels, unbelievers would get the most out of the gospel of John. Johns gospel is directed at unbelievers, it states the importance of belief in Jesus. Shows God's character beautifully. All around the best gospel for unbelievers to read. May God bless you as you continue to have modest and genuine conversations with people. Grace and Peace be with you! ❤️