Three random fictitious conversations between Barnabas and Abraham about Evil. That might have taken place at various times in history… But did not!
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Three random fictitious conversations between Barnabas and Abraham about Evil. That might have taken place at various times in history… But did not!
Barnabas: Greetings, Abraham! How are you today?
Abraham: I am doing well, Barnabas. Thank you for asking.
Barnabas: I’m glad to hear it. So, I was thinking about the topic of Evil today. What are your thoughts on it?
Abraham: Evil is a constant struggle, but God is always faithful to protect and guide us.
Barnabas: That’s a great perspective, Abraham. You know, in my time, we have a saying that goes, “The devil is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Abraham: That’s a powerful reminder to stay vigilant against Evil.
Barnabas: Yes, it is. But we must remember that Evil is no match for God’s love and power.
Abraham: Agreed. And as nomads, we face many challenges in the wilderness, but God is always with us.
Barnabas: Exactly, Abraham. God never leaves us alone to face Evil. And our faith in Him gives us the strength to overcome Evil.
Abraham: Yes, I have always found comfort in that.
Barnabas: Me too, my friend. So, the moral of the story is that Evil may try to consume us, but with God’s love and strength, we can overcome it. And as faithful servants, we must always trust in Him and His power to protect us from Evil.
Abraham: Amen, Barnabas. Our faith in God is our greatest weapon against Evil.
Barnabas: Well said, Abraham. Stay blessed and take care on your journey.
Abraham: Thank you, Barnabas. May God continue to guide and bless you as well.
Barnabas: “Abraham my friend, do you believe in evil?”
Abraham: “Of course I do! Evil is everywhere! It’s been around since the beginning of time.”
Barnabas: “That’s true. But do you believe that evil can be defeated?”
Abraham: “Defeated? I’m not so sure about that. Evil is pretty powerful. It takes a lot to overcome it.”
Barnabas: “I understand where you’re coming from, but I have a different outlook on this. I believe that we can help defeat evil with kindness and love.”
Abraham: “Kindness and love? How can that defeat evil? Evil doesn’t care about those things.”
Barnabas: “That’s where you’re wrong. Kindness and love can penetrate even the most hardened hearts. Trust me, I’ve seen it firsthand.”
Abraham: “I suppose I can see where you’re coming from. But what about when evil hits close to home? When it affects our families and loved ones? How do you defeat it then?”
Barnabas: “You stand strong in your faith and in your love for those affected. Evil can only win when we let it win. And we won’t let it, will we Abraham?”
Abraham: “No, we won’t. You’ve given me something to think about, my friend.”
Barnabas: “I’m glad. Remember, we have the power to defeat evil. We just have to choose love instead of hate, kindness instead of cruelty. It starts with us.”
Abraham: “Thank you for the encouraging words, Barnabas. I’ll take them to heart.”
Barnabas: “Anytime, my friend. That’s what mentors are for.”
Let’s do ‘Twenty Questions’ about Evil happening between Mentor Barnabas and Nomad Abraham.
Abraham: Okay, I’m thinking of an evil act.
Barnabas: Is it something you’ve done?
Abraham: No, it’s something I’ve witnessed.
Barnabas: Did it harm someone physically?
Abraham: Yes.
Barnabas: Was it a murder?
Abraham: No, but it was violent.
Barnabas: Did it happen recently?
Abraham: No, it was a few years ago.
Barnabas: Was it perpetrated by a group of people?
Abraham: Yes, it was a gang.
Barnabas: Did they rob and kill someone?
Abraham: No, but they did steal something valuable.
Barnabas: Was it an artifact?
Abraham: Yes, it was a sacred religious artifact.
Barnabas: Did they steal it for personal gain?
Abraham: No, they were hired to steal it by someone else.
Barnabas: Was it a rival religious group?
Abraham: Yes, it was a group that wanted to gain power and influence over the region.
Barnabas: Did they succeed in their plan?
Abraham: Yes, for a time. They used the artifact to intimidate other leaders and consolidate their power.
Barnabas: Did anyone try to stop them?
Abraham: Yes, there were a few people who fought against them, but they were outnumbered and outmatched.
Barnabas: Did justice eventually prevail?
Abraham: Yes, eventually someone was able to steal the artifact back and restore it to its rightful place. But it took a lot of sacrifice and loss to make it happen.
Barnabas: It sounds like a tragic story.
Abraham: It was. The evil that people do in the name of power and ambition never ceases to amaze me.
Barnabas: Indeed, we must always be vigilant against such darkness.
Barnabas was one of the earliest and most faithful followers of Jesus Christ. He is mentioned in several places in the New Testament, including in the book of Acts. Barnabas was born on the island of Cyprus and was a Levite, which meant that he was from the priestly tribe of Israel.
Barnabas was always known for his generosity, and he was eager to help others. He sold a piece of property he owned and brought the proceeds to the apostles in Jerusalem to use for the poor (Acts 4:36-37). Later, Barnabas brought Paul (then known as Saul) to the apostles in Jerusalem and vouched for his conversion (Acts 9:27).
Barnabas was a key figure in the early development of the church. He was an important leader in the Antioch church and was sent with Paul on a missionary journey to Cyprus and Asia Minor (Acts 13:1-3). Later in Acts, we read that Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on another mission trip, but Paul refused because John Mark had deserted them on an earlier trip (Acts 15:36-40).
Throughout his life, Barnabas was faithful to God and dedicated to serving Him. He was willing to take risks and make sacrifices for the sake of the gospel. Although he may not be as well-known as some of the other apostles, Barnabas played a critical role in the early church and demonstrated a spirit of generosity and service that we can all aspire to.
Scripture references:
Acts 4:36-37 – “Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
Acts 13:1-3 – “Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”
Abraham, also known as Abram, was a man of great faith who is considered by Christians to be the father of the Jewish people. He was born in Ur of the Chaldeans and moved to Haran with his family before finally settling in Canaan, the promised land that God had promised him.
Abraham’s faith in God was tested many times, but he remained faithful throughout. Perhaps his most famous test of faith came when God told him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Despite the gravity of this request, Abraham obeyed God’s command, believing that God would provide a way out. At the very last moment, God intervened and provided a ram for the sacrifice instead.
Genesis 22:1-2 says, “And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.”
Abraham’s faith was so great that he is considered a model of faith for Christians today. In fact, the apostle Paul referred to him as an example of how one can be justified by faith in Romans 4:3, which says, “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Through his unwavering faith in God, Abraham became one of the most revered figures in the Old Testament and a shining example of how we should trust in God’s promises.
Evil is a term that has been used to describe the opposite of good. In Christianity, evil is commonly associated with Satan, the devil, or demons who tempt people to turn away from God. Evil can be seen as anything that opposes God or his teachings. The Bible clearly states that God did not create evil, but that it is a result of sin entering the world. The ultimate goal of Satan and his minions is to lead us away from God, causing harm to ourselves and others. However, as believers, we are called to resist evil and stand firm in our faith. We can overcome evil by staying in constant communion with God through prayer, reading the Bible, and attending church. Through this, we can find strength and hope in the power of Christ, who has already overcome evil through his sacrifice on the cross. In short, evil is real and should not be taken lightly, but we have hope in God’s love and power to overcome it.
Have fun creating a conversation between two Bible characters. One in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament and see what happens!