Geek-Proof Your Faith How to Handle 12 Tough Issues Without Looking Stupid

Aspiring to Geekhood ... Without Really TryingIt''s easy being a geek. There are millions of them who don''t even know they are one.What IS a geek, you ask?That depends, of course, on WHO you ask. Most would say, "A geek is someone who has taped their glasses together, wears dorky clothes, gets good grades, can''t play sports, and basically is a social outcast with no hope of ever breaking into the cool group." Using that definition, it could well be said that some Christians ARE geeks.But since you''re sorta carrying on a conversation with us two guys, we''ve got a different definition. We believe "geeks" are actually real people. They have flesh and bones, a mind, feelings, the ability to love others and be hurt by others, a mom, dad, brother, sister, grandparents who think they''re great ... and a future beyond high school. Oh yes, God also thought enough of them to send his Son to die for them.That definition kinda puts a whole new face on those you may think are geeks. So let''s define a geek this way: a real person who''s often misunderstood.There might not be anything more frustrating than being misunderstood, anything more demoralizing than people in your universe, people who matter to you, not knowing-or not wanting to know-the real you.Ever felt that way as a Christian? Ever felt that you couldn''t let others know the real you-especially the spiritual side of you? Have you ever been frustrated because you were too afraid to reveal to others the person inside, who really does believe what the Bible says, who''s convinced that the human race is more than a cosmic accident?If you have, then you''re a Christian geek: a real, believing person who''s often misunderstood.It doesn''t feel so hot, does it? Christians have struggled at times with having family and friends thinking weird thoughts about us. Our beliefs have been laughed at, our motives sometimes mistrusted ... and-we''ve felt the agony of defeat when it comes to communicating the most important thing-THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON-in our lives. It is frustrating and demoralizing. Sometimes it''s depressing.What''s the answer? To let people know we''re real, and to get them to understand us, of course!That''s the goal of this book: to help you let others know and understand that you''re a real person with real beliefs about a God who is crazy about you-and them. When you start reading these pages, you''ll see that we''re hitting two main areas where Christians are viewed as geeks:In the ClassroomWe want you to know what to say-as well as how to say it-when your faith is challenged by teachers or classmates. There ARE answers to tough questions about what we believe. About half of this book will give you the tools you need to help you be understood. We''ve identified the situations where Christian students are commonly challenged (and sometimes ridiculed) for their faith. We''ve painted a ton of real-life scenarios about public school life, and hopefully given you a good start when it comes to verbally defending-or simply explaining-the real you.It should be mentioned that there''s a difference between being understood and being believed. Helping others understand where you''re coming from is your responsibility. Getting someone to believe is up to God. It''s his job to bring others into a relationship with him; it''s our job to represent him as best we can.In Your LifeAs a Christian, however, being understood is only half the battle. You see, many outside the church will not be too impressed with our great logic and well-thought-through answers to the tough issues of faith. To quote an old phrase: they want to see a sermon rather than hear one. And the way in which you live your life will speak louder than any perfectly delivered speech.The fact is, some Christians are misunderstood because their lives don''t come close to matching what they say they believe about God and the Bible. They are WORSE THAN geeks, because they''re not acting like the REAL them: they''re not showing what they really deeJohnson, Greg is the author of 'Geek-Proof Your Faith How to Handle 12 Tough Issues Without Looking Stupid' with ISBN 9780310495413 and ISBN 0310495415.