"Judge Not"

11/24/13       Matt           about 25

Matt, about 25, whose father is a pastor and theology professor, has had enough church exposure to have a favorite Bible verse – “Judge not lest you be judged”.  For over half an hour I listened as he described his beliefs, a mixture of Christian ethics and eastern mysticism.  He countered my questions about God with long references to philosophical quotes or analogies, which I have edited out in the video to highlight the root of his rejection of Christianity – his rejection of the right for anyone to judge him including God Himself.  I explained to Matt how a God who judges right from wrong is foundational to an understanding of the Bible and Christianity.  Without a God who judges as our final authority, we try to become the judge ourselves and even try to subject God to our own judgment.  I think what is interesting in this ten-minute video is how Matt’s demeanor changes once I subject him to a “good person test” based on the Ten Commandments.  He goes from bold but vague statements about his own religious theories, to wanting to know more about this God he could possibly be accountable to.  VIDEO CLIP - Matt - "Judge Not"