Assignment - you overhear an argument at work between two Christian coworkers... an argument about young-earth creationism.  Your supervisor mentions it to you negatively, saying "Tim, if that is what Christianity is all about, I don’t want anything to do with it."  How would you respond?

Response to Supervisor:

"You mean the arguing?"
"Yeah - I mean, Terrance and Jake claim to believe in the same God, but all they can do is argue about how He created the world!"
"Well, I would tend to agree with you that if that’s all there is to Christianity, it’s not really worth engaging in. But I would contend that Christianity’s main focus is completely different. For example, I John 3:23 summarizes God’s will for us: ‘This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.’ "
"Huh! Love each other, did you say?"
"Yeah, well, those who are striving to follow God will try to love each other. But it’s really all about God’s love for us. I John 3:19 says that ‘we love because He first loved us.’ John 3:16 says that ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.’ " Christianity is all about God’s plan to restore the world and save each Christian from wrong actions and their consequences. But don’t just take my word for it! Read the Bible for yourself to find out what Christianity is all about..."

Justification for Supervisor Response:

First I would realize that nothing I could say would probably make much difference in my supervisor’s attitude toward Christianity - only God could change his heart.
Next I would realize that if I had the opportunity to talk to him I would want to discuss only the gospel, and as much of the gospel as possible. If necessary, I would logically / historically defend my faith, but only if the man would not listen to anything else I would say.
I would do my best to "give an answer" for the reason for the hope that I have, as I Peter 3:15 commands. I would try to point him to God’s Word (John 4:42). Then I would pray that God would work through circumstances and through His Word and change the supervisor’s heart.

Response to Jake:

"Jake, I overheard you and Terrance the other day discussing evolution again, and I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the way you stand up for the truth of God’s Word!"
"Well, thanks, Tim... I guess we just have to stand up for what we know is true, no matter what our enemies say, right?"
"Hmm... One quick thing that came to mind while I was listening to you the other day was the importance of reaffirming your love and common ground with Terrance. Both of you are Christians, and although it’s important to know what we personally believe about creation, it seems to me that too much discussion of things you disagree strongly about might lead to hard feelings. The others here might get the impression that all we Christians do all the time is argue!"
"Yeah, but you have to defend the purity of the gospel, Tim! Once he throws away Genesis, the rest of the Bible goes too!"
"I definitely agree with you, but we also know that we Christians should be an example of love and unity, from passages like Ephesians 4:2 and 3: we should treat each other ‘with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ "
"But this is a matter of Terrance’s being saved! If I don’t show him the error of his ways, who will?"
"Well, as far as being saved, I John 3:14 tells us that ‘we know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren.’ In fact, I would even go so far as to suggest that you would probably be able to spread quite a bit of love and witness by trying to be a peacemaker between yourself and Terrance - go out of your way to show that you really love him and are not just trying to prove a point."

Justification for Jake - Response:

2 Timothy 2:22-25 says it quite clearly: "the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all... with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition...." In John 13:35 Jesus says, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." Disputing doctrine to the point of neglecting the love due each other (Romans 13:8) is simply wrong (1 Timothy 6:3-5,11).
In my discussion with Jake, I would try to ease into my reproof gently (2 Timothy 2:25) to increase the chances of his profiting from my thoughts. My goal would be for Jake and Terrance to continue their discussion in peace, reasoning intensely but remaining loving brothers in Christ.

Response to Terrance:

" Terrance, I overheard you and Jake discussing creation again the other day, and I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your emphasis on top-notch science and high-quality Christian scholarship."
"Uh, thanks, Tim! I guess I feel so strongly about the way some Christians mishandle scientific data and throw away their credibility that I try to take every opportunity to straighten them out."
"I see... you know, one thing that came to mind as I heard you two talking the other day was the value of encouraging our fellow Christian brothers. As Paul said in Philippians 2:2, ‘Be... of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.’ Perhaps you could spend more time discussing the things on which you agree with Jake, and more time witnessing to those here who don’t know Jesus!"
"Well, yeah, but I must also uphold the legitimacy of God’s creative plan; if people think that Christians aren’t logical and that God’s Word is silly, they aren’t going to want to accept Christ as their Savior!"
"Hmm... I Corinthians 1:23 and 2:14 say that the gospel is already foolishness to the Gentiles, so we don’t really have to worry about that. In other words, the most important thing for us is to witness to those here who need God, rather than try to straighten each other’s doctrine out. As Paul said in I Corinthians 10:32, "Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved." If we’re all on the same side and all trying to do the same thing - witness, then we should live at peace with each other!
"True, but sometimes we have to stand firm and let our convictions be known!"
"Yes, but only as long as we’re trying to encourage our Christian brother or telling someone about Christ. Romans 12:18 puts it succinctly: "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."

Justification for Terrance - Response:

I Peter 2:12 says, "Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation." Christians should not "be angry with each other without cause" (Matthew 5:21-24).
I would try to gently persuade Terrance that his antagonism towards Jake is counterproductive to witnessing and is in fact wrong. I would try to avoid discussing creation-doctrines with him at this time, but would hopefully engage him in the future.