SLOW START ENDS WITH A BANG

June 1, 2012, University of Oregon 

   The amphitheater was occupied first with a live singer and after that canned amplified music. Pat started talking to students as they were passing by hoping to spark a conversation and draw an audience. She was not successful. Close by a long haired boy was holding a sign of a uterus with a heart in the center with the words, "respect choice." After Pat failed to get a crowd she had a long conversation with a Muslim. He had confronted me yesterday with a typical question they have been taught to ask, "Where did Jesus say, 'I am God?" Of course, Jesus did not say these exact words but I suggested later that Pat ask him, "Where did Jesus say the words, 'I am a prophet?' Pat had a long talk with the Muslim, later an African Christian helped Pat witness to the Muslim.

Student promoting abortion with picture of a uterus.

     At the 12:50 break I began dialogue with the pro-choice sign holder and the girl standing with him. My usual approach to the pro-choice crowd is, "Alright you have the civil right to kill a baby that is not being seriously threatened, but why would you choose death over life?" They did not have an answer.    

     The answer is found in Proverbs 8:36, "He that sins against me wrongs his own soul: all they that hate me love death." The fact is sinners love death over life. Therefore, they choose death over life.     Later two hags who appeared to be in their mid-fifties thanked the two students for protecting "women's health." They said they fought for the right to choose back in the 70's and now it is being threatened again. Pro-aborts are masquerading today as advocates of women's health. My conversation with the pro-aborts did not draw an audience.    

   It looked like it would be difficult to get students' attention today. I figured we would have a short afternoon on campus.

     During the 1:50 break a hoary headed 74 year old architecture professor leaning on a cane engaged Sister Pat. She really got him agitated; he claimed to have homosexual tendencies but never engaged in homosexual acts; he was married.     He blamed Christians for making his life miserable. It appeared that he might lose it; I was somewhat concerned that he might strike with his cane. Pat took refuge behind me and continued her argument with him.     Both Sister Pat and I warned him that he was headed for the Lake of Fire where there will be weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. He picked up on the gnashing of teeth; he mocked by gnashing his teeth.     Apparently, he had a sister-in-law who warned him about the gnashing of teeth in Hell. Meanwhile, students began to stop and it was not long before I had a crowd of about 60. The professor went over to Sister Pat and argued with her for another 10 minutes before leaving. Later Sister Pat remarked that it is the first time she had a confrontation with an older person. Typically, the elderly do not want to get involved and ignore us. Of course, Sister Pat is a difficult person to disregard.

     I had a good hour with the crowd. One inquiring man had knowledge of theological issues which enabled me to expound on the nature of the Trinity, the Athanasius vs. Arian controversy, Marian controversies, the question of the impassibility of God, and open theism. He quoted Tertullian, who said, "I believe because it is absurd." I countered that it is reasonable to believe. These issues seemed merely to have academic interests to the man inquiring of my views.

Bro. Doug, a faithful witness at the University of Oregon.

     During this time one female passed by and bared her breasts to me. Sister Pat remarked later that she thought the girls on this campus are the worst she has seen in the way of immodest dress.    

     At 3 PM I called on Sister Pat and the students were attentive as she told them on how to get a husband or wife. At 3:45 I took over again and read Mark 16:15, I asked the students to tell me what the Christian gospel is. One boy defined the gospel as good news.     I answered, "Right, but what is the good news that Christians have to proclaim?" No one could answer the question.   I read the first several verses of 1 Cor. 15 in which Paul explains the gospel which he preached. I challenged the students to give me a good reason for mocking their opportunity for the forgiveness of sins and immortality.     The only answer I got from one was, "It is absurd."

     I did admit that it is hard to believe that God would so love that he would sacrifice his son for our salvation. No wonder Isaiah 53 opens with the question, "Who hath believed our report?" Such love is wondrous and it is incredulous to the natural mind.        

     No wonder most students are unbelievers. Few even know what they are supposed to believe in order to be Christians.

     At 4 PM I lost most of the audience to a Choral group in the amphitheater. I still had about 12 when a boy came up and challenged the group about Congress considering out-lawing gender based abortions. He managed to get a pretty good discussion going on this issue. I sat back and listened. When the choral group stopped, I started preaching again and was able to regain the attention of about 12 students; meanwhile, the fellow who had raised the question concerning the abortions continued with a smaller group. 

     At 5 PM I decided to call it a day, but Sister Pat wanted to have more time with Charlotte who was sitting at her feet. Pat ended up praying with her to receive Christ as her Lord and Savior. Pat gave the credit to Doug who holds signs like "God Loves You, You must be born again." He witnesses to students one on one and has been on this campus for 20 years. Doug had been talking with the Charlotte for some time before she started questioning Pat.