Lest we think that the purpose of our examination is to win debates, start arguments, or defend ourselves from ridicule, there is the matter of the heart addressed in the second part of Peter's statement: "...yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."
Conclusions
- Apologetics is not only the presentation of evidence for Christianity, but it is also the reasoning that brings the Christian to a saving faith in Christ based upon the examination of the evidence.
- The apologist is a defender of faith, and is armed with truth given by the Creator.
- Those that are Christians need to know the reasons and evidence that forms the foundation of their belief - for their own benefit, and especially for the benefit of the lost. We are commanded by God to be prepared for defending our faith.
- Skeptics can study Apologetics to understand the difference between the Christian world view and that of a world without absolute truth and firm morality.
- Skeptics have a justifiable request to provide intelligent, thoughtful and reasonable arguments if we ask them to believe in anything claimed as truth. Someone who denies the spiritual has no other way to grasp the implications of his unbelief except through reason.
- God does not expect us to believe based on blind faith - In fact, he expects us to make our decisions based on evidence. Faith and reason are not mutually exclusive.
Web Study Guide: Readings For This Lesson:
Apologetics and the Heart, by Douglas Wilson http://www.visi.com/~contra_m/antithesis/v1n4/ant_v1n4_apologetics.html (changed 12/98)
Millenial Musings, by Cecil Hookhttp://www.egroups.com/group/freedomsring/25.html?
3 comments:
Lots to remember boys. Maybe somebody should make a cliff notes for us so at the end we have the major points.
cas
Hey Guys,
Let me type in something from a book I'm reading, "The Reason For God" by Timothy Keller.
"A faith without some doubts is like a human body without antibodies in it. People who blithely go through life too busy or indifferenct to ask hard questions about why they believe as they do will find themselves defensiveless against either the experiecnce of tragedy or the probing questions of a smart skeptic. A person's faith can collapse almost overnight if she has failed over the years to listen patiently to her own doubts, which should only be discarded after long reflections.
Believers should acknowledge and wrestle with doubts - not only their own but their friends' and neighbors'. It is no longer sufficient to hold beliefs just because you inherited them. Only if you strubgle long and hard with objections to your faith will you be able to provide grounds for your beliefs to skeptics, including your self, that are plausible rather than ridiculous or offensive. And, just as important for our current situation, such a process will lead you, even after you come to a position of strong faith, to respect and understand those who doubt."
So let's continue to "Take the Leap of Doubt" together. I'm confident that we'll emerge stronger for ourselves,our friends and our families.
Thanks for that G. Really powerful and insightful. and.... in a way freeing right. It lets those of us with the occasional doubt or struggle realize it is normal and natural. the hard part is taking the initiative to find the answer at all costs.
cas
Post a Comment