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In this address from the 2009 FAIR Conference, John Lynch provides practical advise on how to help those who are struggling with their faith. “What we’re about at FAIR is the idea of tending the gardens of the heart. . . . Our real objective is the preservation of faith and not the presentation of definitive answers. To that end, it’s not enough to answer the arguments of the critics any more than it is enough to weed the flowers in our garden. We must also nourish them and water them and give them ongoing light to reach towards. This means several things need to occur.
- Answers need to include not only refutation of false ideas, but affirmations of true concepts.
- We need to not only respond with evidences against the arguments of our critics but arguments in favor of the hope that is in us.
- We need to help members interpret their religious world in the light of true principles including those that allow for mistakes.”
The text of Brother Lynch’s address can be found here.
John Lynch is a Silicon Valley sales and marketing executive specializing in high-tech startup ventures. He is a member of the Board of Directors of FAIR and serves as its Chairman. Having served in many missionary callings, including twice as a Stake Mission President, multiple times as a Ward Mission Leader, and having worked at the Provo Missionary Training Center as a teacher and trainer, John has seen the impact of both well-prepared and poorly prepared defenders of the faith. John is currently the Young Men’s President for the Los Gatos Ward, Saratoga California Stake.
I have read this before and you have excellent insights. You remind me of the importance of the “flip side” of apologetics, which is to bear witness of the light.