People judge Christianity by Christians, unreasonable as that is. (I’ve heard Christians are the#1 reason people reject Jesus).

I think Methodists like to think we model love and don’t get too explicit with the Gospel words. I’ve often thought if my actions aren’t preaching, my words won’t be effective anyway.

But I’ve been following apologists lately who are having conversations with non-believers about hell and the exclusive claims of Jesus and the problem of evil and I’m admiring the boldness to say in words and with humility the kinds of claims our apostles are bold to preach in this reading today.