what is it about being "older" that turns people to Christia

[exrockstar]

theyve lived their lives. theyve stumbled and fallen.

they gotten up and made it through.

they had fun. they did things they regret.

yet now (at an older age) they turn to Christ, "know better," debate biblical topics as though theyve

had scriptural intelligence all their lives and dont take notes but are quick to speak.

has this always been a trend?

[KeilanS]

This is just a guess, but I think that as one gets older the realization that they're going to die becomes clearer. And well, the more you think about the fact that you're going to die, the more likely you are to look for answers about what happens after death. That kind of thought would lead them right to Christ.

[forrestkc]

It is because they come to the realization that they are going to die one day. When your young, you know your going to die one day, but you don't think about it. It seems like such a long way off to you.

[OneLight]

theyve lived their lives. theyve stumbled and fallen.

they gotten up and made it through.

they had fun. they did things they regret.

yet now (at an older age) they turn to Christ, "know better," debate biblical topics as though theyve

had scriptural intelligence all their lives and dont take notes but are quick to speak.

has this always been a trend?

I don't think anyone has to be "older" to fall into this category, as you stated. I do think that someone that is older my have more wisdom in worldly matters, though.

[exrockstar]

This is just a guess, but I think that as one gets older the realization that they're going to die becomes clearer. And well, the more you think about the fact that you're going to die, the more likely you are to look for answers about what happens after death. That kind of thought would lead them right to Christ.

its sometimes not even the issue that they find Christ. I am happy for anyone that finds Christ. Sometimes what gets me is

the attitude they have about things.

it's the "i know better than you...."

i.e. if a 50 year old man has been studying for 5 years does not mean that the H.S. is more in tune with him versus someone

who is younger and has been studying for 5 years. it's bad enough older people feel "wiser" because theyve lived their lives but

they think they understand the bible and dont want to hear a younger persons position.

im just catching alot of that in my personal life. funny thing is that im not even that young but i dodge the "attitudes."

[KeilanS]

its sometimes not even the issue that they find Christ. I am happy for anyone that finds Christ. Sometimes what gets me is

the attitude they have about things.

it's the "i know better than you...."

i.e. if a 50 year old man has been studying for 5 years does not mean that the H.S. is more in tune with him versus someone

who is younger and has been studying for 5 years. it's bad enough older people feel "wiser" because theyve lived their lives but

they think they understand the bible and dont want to hear a younger persons position.

im just catching alot of that in my personal life. funny thing is that im not even that young but i dodge the "attitudes."

Well, saying they're all arrogant about their knowledge is a bit of a generalization but I do know what you're talking about. However, usually the people who pull the age/experience thing are the ones who have no other defense of their viewpoint. Many older people can be quite humble because life has taught them that the world doesn't revolve around them. I think that people who are new Christians and arrogant about their knowledge are usually the ones who were arrogant before conversion. Best to just ignore them and pray they defeat their arrogance.

[exrockstar]

Well, saying they're all arrogant about their knowledge is a bit of a generalization but I do know what you're talking about. However, usually the people who pull the age/experience thing are the ones who have no other defense of their viewpoint. Many older people can be quite humble because life has taught them that the world doesn't revolve around them. I think that people who are new Christians and arrogant about their knowledge are usually the ones who were arrogant before conversion. Best to just ignore them and pray they defeat their arrogance.

you may be right.

i know this lady that came and asked me a bunch of questions about things.

I told her what I believe and I told her what many believe.

I'm not going to give her the "this is right" attitude.

but its not even the "new" Christians. i sometyimes think that when youve been exposed

to one point of view for years and years that youre eventually going to think that "my way is

the right way."

it was just an observation. didnt mean to generalize.

[Hunterpoet]

Lets say all life journeys start at A and end at Z. I've met people who have found Christ at just about all the letters, and from where I sit all young Christians suffer the qualities that you dislike.

I don't think it age as much as wanting to share the joy and belonging and(an unfortunate human quality)wanting to be right.

It's hard to imagine that you havn't met a person your own age or even younger that came off as arrogant or "all knowing".

Anyway, lets pretend that us old christians are as you say.....well...have patience, ask intelligent nonaggresive questions or simply nod your head and wait for the Lord to correct their mistakes.

As an older christian I admit to paying less attention to what a younger person might be saying and do disagree quite often, but, I do hear and do think about what has been said and if wrong usually come back and admit it...or at the very least I try to do that.

At anyrate, just because you get older doesn't mean you start thinking about death more, but the reality of it becomes clearer, and if this is what leads a person to the Lord....hallaluja.

your brother in Christ,

Roy

[Artemus Prime]

This is just a guess, but I think that as one gets older the realization that they're going to die becomes clearer. And well, the more you think about the fact that you're going to die, the more likely you are to look for answers about what happens after death. That kind of thought would lead them right to Christ.

its sometimes not even the issue that they find Christ. I am happy for anyone that finds Christ. Sometimes what gets me is

the attitude they have about things.

it's the "i know better than you...."

i.e. if a 50 year old man has been studying for 5 years does not mean that the H.S. is more in tune with him versus someone

who is younger and has been studying for 5 years. it's bad enough older people feel "wiser" because theyve lived their lives but

they think they understand the bible and dont want to hear a younger persons position.

im just catching alot of that in my personal life. funny thing is that im not even that young but i dodge the "attitudes."

As far as catching that attitude in one's personal life, Ex, I am right there with you...lol...I, too, am not exactly a naive youth...

[KeilanS]

you may be right.

i know this lady that came and asked me a bunch of questions about things.

I told her what I believe and I told her what many believe.

I'm not going to give her the "this is right" attitude.

but its not even the "new" Christians. i sometyimes think that when youve been exposed

to one point of view for years and years that youre eventually going to think that "my way is

the right way."

it was just an observation. didnt mean to generalize.

This is definatly true, people get one viewpoint pounded into them for so long that they are unable to doubt it. For example, I read a book by Phillip Yancey where he talked about defeating racism. From his birth he had been taught that whites were superior, and it was very hard for him to accept that blacks were human as well.