Use the “Inside Out” approach from chapter 10 of Apologetics at the Cross to respond to the following statement posed to you by a secular friend: “My biggest problem with Christianity is, for one, that Christians seem so intolerant and judgmental. And secondly, their sexual ethic seems to suppress basic human desires and our freedom to live fulfilled lives.” Remember to start inside their own plausibility structures and work to the explanatory power of the gospel. Make sure you thoroughly study the notes pertaining to this method as well as Keller’s section on A and B beliefs. Your essay must reflect, clearly explicate, and apply the central components of the “Inside Out” model as you engage your secular friend.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: The Inside Out Approach: Addressing Concerns about Intolerance and Sexual Ethics in Christianity
Introduction: In engaging with our secular friends, it is crucial to understand their concerns and address them in a way that resonates with their own worldview. Two common objections raised against Christianity are the perceived intolerance and judgmental attitude of Christians, as well as the belief that Christian sexual ethics suppress basic human desires and hinder fulfillment. By utilizing the “Inside Out” approach, we can delve into their plausibility structures and demonstrate the explanatory power of the gospel to overcome these objections.
I. Understanding the Concerns:
A. Intolerance and Judgment:
Acknowledge the perception: Many individuals observe that some Christians may come across as intolerant and judgmental.
Highlight the desire for acceptance: People naturally seek acceptance and inclusivity, and when they encounter Christians who appear judgmental, it creates a negative impression.
B. Suppression of Basic Human Desires:
Recognize the importance of desire: Human desires are an essential aspect of our existence, contributing to our sense of fulfillment and happiness.
Emphasize the concern for freedom: The belief is that Christian sexual ethics restrict personal freedom and limit choices, leading to an unfulfilled life.
II. The Inside Out Approach:
A. Clarifying Misconceptions:
Christians as imperfect representatives: Acknowledge that Christians are not exempt from imperfections or biases, which may lead to actions contrary to the teachings of Christ.
Differentiating between Christian principles and personal behavior: Highlight that human fallibility can sometimes blur the distinction between Christian teachings and individual actions.
B. Explaining the Source:
The message of love and acceptance: Christianity’s core message revolves around love, acceptance, and forgiveness, as witnessed in Christ’s teachings and actions.
Reconciling justice and compassion: The call to uphold moral standards should be balanced with compassion, empathy, and humility.
C. The Gospel’s Transformative Power:
Addressing intolerance and judgment: The transformative power of the gospel enables Christians to mirror Christ’s love and acceptance towards others, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate community.
Redefining fulfillment through sexual ethics: Christian sexual ethics aim to promote healthy relationships, respect, and self-control, which contribute to long-term fulfillment rather than transient desires.
III. A and B Beliefs:
A. A Beliefs (Secular Worldview):
Encourage self-reflection: Ask your friend to consider whether their own worldview allows for intolerance or judgment in different contexts.
Highlight inconsistencies: Point out instances where society itself imposes restrictions on certain behaviors deemed harmful or unacceptable.
B. B Beliefs (Christian Worldview):
Emphasize personal responsibility: Christian sexual ethics encourage individuals to make choices aligned with their faith, acknowledging the importance of self-control and commitment.
Illustrate the benefits: Highlight studies indicating healthier relationships, lower rates of sexually transmitted infections, and increased emotional intimacy within marriages adhere to Christian sexual ethics.
Conclusion:
By employing the “Inside Out” approach, we can address concerns about intolerance and sexual ethics in Christianity while remaining respectful of our secular friend’s worldview. Recognizing the perception of intolerance and explaining the transformative power of the gospel allows us to challenge misconceptions and demonstrate how Christian beliefs align with personal fulfillment and societal well-being. Through open dialogue and understanding, we can bridge the gap between differing worldviews and encourage a more nuanced understanding of Christianity.
