Jonah: I believe the foundation of our faith lies in the past—in what God has done for us through history, especially through Jesus Christ. The Bible is clear: the works of God in history are central to our understanding of Him. Look at Deuteronomy 6:12: “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” The Israelites were constantly told to remember their past. Shouldn’t we do the same?

Carl: While history is important, I think focusing on the future—the Kingdom of God—is more crucial for Christians today. Jesus Himself taught us to look forward. In Matthew 6:10, He tells us to pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Isn’t that a call to action, to focus on what’s ahead rather than just what’s behind us?

Jonah: But how can we properly anticipate the future without anchoring ourselves in the historical acts of God? The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are historical events that define our faith. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:14: “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” Our hope for the future is meaningless without these historical foundations.

Carl: I’m not saying we should forget the past, but the danger lies in being stuck there. Jesus’ ministry wasn’t just about recounting past miracles—it was about showing us how to live for the future. Look at Luke 4:18-19, where Jesus declares His mission: “to proclaim good news to the poor…to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” That’s a forward-looking vision of transformation and hope.

Jonah: True, but isn’t that mission itself built on the historical promises of God? Jesus often referred to the Law and the Prophets to validate His mission. Remember Matthew 5:17: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” By understanding history, we can see how God’s promises are fulfilled, which strengthens our faith in His future plans.

Carl: Yes, but focusing too much on the past can make us blind to the pressing needs of today and the potential for tomorrow. Even Paul, in Philippians 3:13-14, says: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Doesn’t that suggest that while the past has its place, our eyes should be fixed on the future?

Jonah: The Psalms are filled with reminders to recount God’s deeds (Psalm 77:11) and to trust Him for the future (Psalm 37:4). History gives us confidence in God’s faithfulness,

Carl: I still think the Church today leans too heavily on history and doesn’t do enough to focus on shaping the future—bringing justice, mercy, and love into a broken world. James 2:17 reminds us: “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” To me, that action points forward, building the Kingdom of God here and now.

Jonah: And I’d say that action is inspired by remembering what God has already done. Let’s not forsake the roots of our faith while we work toward its fruits. After all, Hebrews 13:8 reminds us: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” When it comes to witnessing to non-Christians, the historical basis of our faith is non-negotiable. Christianity is unique because it’s rooted in historical events. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day.” Without these historical truths, what are we even sharing?

Carl: I think many non-Christians are less interested in what happened 2,000 years ago and more in what faith can mean for their lives today and tomorrow. Jesus talked about the future transformation of the world through the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 5:14-16, He says: “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Isn’t it more effective to show people how faith impacts the future—both theirs and the world’s?

Jonah: But without the historical foundation, the future you’re talking about has no credibility. Christianity isn’t just an abstract philosophy or moral system. It’s based on what God has already done. For instance, Acts 17:31 says: “For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” The resurrection is a historical event that validates our message.

Carl: Just citing historical events doesn’t always resonate with people who don’t already accept the Bible as authoritative. Many people are looking for something tangible and forward-looking—something that offers hope and purpose. Take Revelation 21:4, for example: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” That vision of a better future can be incredibly compelling for someone seeking hope.

Jonah: I’m not denying the power of hope, but how do you offer hope without grounding it in something real and proven? Jesus Himself pointed people to the history of God’s faithfulness. In John 5:39, He says: “These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” The historical fulfilment of prophecy and the reliability of Scripture give people a reason to trust in the promises of the future.

Carl: That’s true, but we have to meet people where they are. Many non-Christians don’t start with a belief in the Bible or a concern for ancient history. They’re often more interested in how faith speaks to their struggles today and offers hope for tomorrow. When we live out the love and justice Jesus taught, we demonstrate the reality of the Gospel in ways they can see and experience. James 2:18 says: “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”

Jonah: But living out our faith isn’t enough by itself. Non-Christians might see our good works and think we’re just kind people or part of a social movement. We need to explicitly connect our actions to the historical truth of Jesus. Romans 10:14 reminds us: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” We need to tell them what God has done, not just show it.

Carl: And we also need to tell them why it matters for their future. Look at Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4. He doesn’t start with history—He starts by addressing her thirst for something more. Then He points to the living water that leads to eternal life. He connects her current need to the promise of a transformed future.

Jonah: But notice, Jesus also reveals His identity as the Messiah in that conversation—a historical claim! The past and the future are both crucial in witnessing. The resurrection is what makes eternal life possible, and eternal life is what gives the resurrection its significance.

Carl: Maybe it’s not about choosing one over the other but about tailoring the message. For some, starting with history builds credibility; for others, starting with the future offers hope. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:22: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”

Our faith calls us to continuously seek wisdom and understanding. It’s vital for us, as Christians, to engage in these dialogues, always aiming to reflect God’s love and wisdom in our lives and the lives of those around us.