Robin,

I also would support your action of asking them to write on paper on how they understand the Gospel. In our churches before young people professes their faith they are asked questions by the elders. But I would say that some of them would find it difficult to express their faith on paper.

However I don't see it as a qualification for some to truely believe and neither do I think you do. On a number of occasions on this board the issue of the role that real understanding (the mind) plays in the Christian faith has been discussed. Even though we don't say it explicitly I think many people, and perhaps more so with young people, are more inclined to an emotional experience of faith and down plays the rational aspect of our faith. We MUST think about our faith, however! And maybe your daughter has not realized this yet. But your request to these two young people may just be what is needed for them to start thinking about what they REALLY believe.


Johan