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Apologetics? - 9/1/2008 5:43:48 AM
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Rick4Him
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Hi All,
What is everybodies opinion on apologetics? Do you feel it is needed more today than in the past? Apologetics is scriptural but many today with a low view on scripture will argue that apologetics is wrong. I beleive it is needed more today than ever in our pluralistic world.
Rick
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RE: Apologetics? - 9/1/2008 7:40:35 AM
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timf
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What is everybodies opinion on apologetics?
I am not sure that the concept of forgiveness of sins in the blood of Jesus can compete in the "marketplace of ideas". The Bible says that the word of God is foolishness to those that are perishing. However, we need to have the word out in the market place, not to persuade, but so that when the Lord touches a heart, it can respond. (faith comes by hearing)
I have found a better use for apologetics with Christians. Many have had their faith crippled by being unable to trust God's word because "experts" have "proven" the Bible in in error.
Apologetics relies on the persuasive power of truth. This is not much of a power unless the heart is given to Him who is truth. The evangelist can use truth to call hearts the Lord prepares to respond. The apologist can call Christians to place greater faith in their Lord by "proving" the truth of His word, His promises, and His love.
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RE: Apologetics? - 9/1/2008 7:53:17 AM
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earthless
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It has always been needed and a solid argument is that God mandates it for all believers. To be equipped and know why you believe what you claim to be believe. To hold true to that which has once and for all been delivered.
Because of political correctness and emotionalism seeping into some church circles.. many self-professing Christians today say it is wrong to ever test anything in light of Scripture. Especially their favorite TV/Radio superstars.
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Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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RE: Apologetics? - 9/1/2008 10:13:33 AM
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sparkleingsnow
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Please define what you mean by apologetics.
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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RE: Apologetics? - 9/1/2008 10:25:19 AM
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kingdust
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Rick4Him
Hi All,
What is everybodies opinion on apologetics? Do you feel it is needed more today than in the past? Apologetics is scriptural but many today with a low view on scripture will argue that apologetics is wrong. I beleive it is needed more today than ever in our pluralistic world.
Rick
Apologetics cannot be an only tool to reach for all walks of people but certainly a proper thing to use for those who are wrong sincerely, or even purely ignorant.
Even God wants to think logically- that is what I understand apologestic talk would be close to.
ISA 1:18 "Come now, let us reason together,"
says the LORD.
I think the book of Job is an excellent book for a apologetic case in the OT.
There were 4 people involved, reasoning together, arguing if you will, and God Himself joined at the end, to arbitrate.
The final goal for apology, as formal justification not as sorry or sour notification, is to get the truth out of any given subject.
Some argue that such argument can only stirs dust up and up to no good, getting into eyes of hearers and agitating their eaching lips to vibrate to utter the sound of self justification, indignity, and even hell fire.
Well, that is truful somewhat in many cases, but not true in Job's case or even other cases where God steps in, in the end to win the case for everybody.
That is the win-win case for everybody, winners or losers all together, because all the partipants would get rewarded with 'the truth'.
Well, if you are not up for the truth but the cronation of own self truth, you can double-lose yourself, gainning only the punishment minus the trueful lessons learned forcifully to make the forciful consequence less offencive, even worthwhile.
I am sure that God is the winner, Job is the winner, along with Job's friends if they can eat their hats not in humilation but in poor spirit, like Job did.
If we all say like Job did at the end, dispite the fact that the good intention for consolation turned out to be accusations without realizing that was what it was in the cover of counseling from own right evalutions, compelling the natural indignation arosed from the self right defender, who was deemed guilty without having proper trial or truth, ending in a mud wrestling.
However, who in the sane world can imagine to find jewel of truth in a mud puddle where 5 sets of feet are trampling, in offense or defense?
Well, with God, all things are possible.
If we seek truth even in a way through mud wrestling, in fact that is what we do with our muddy thoughts, we will surely find the jewel of truth only because God will not be a bystander, if asked to come into the muddy puddle of the earthly life.
Even without invitation, He will do what He do best- reasoning together to win a soul.
There is no loser if all losers can say like Job did.
So, the apology turned into a bitter fight came out to be a true apology that is good for all, winner or loser.
Therefore, let us start arguing for the good cause, expecting God will come at some point of arguing to make us all winners!
JOB 42:4 "You said, `Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.'
JOB 42:5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
JOB 42:6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes."
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I am an English as Second Language person and love corrections, kind or unkind, positive or negative, with love or without love, which I am grateful of. Just GIVE!
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RE: Apologetics? - 9/1/2008 11:24:04 AM
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earthless
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I wonder if he meant 'Apostolic' instead.. which if they are of the 'Oneness' type.. they deny the Trinity, Baptise in the name of Jesus only and say that if you were baptized in any other way or by any other church.. then you're not saved.
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Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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RE: Apologetics? - 9/1/2008 11:49:09 AM
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sparkleingsnow
Posts: 3878
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Thanks earthless.
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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RE: Apologetics? - 9/1/2008 3:19:14 PM
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Rick4Him
Posts: 92
Joined: 4/11/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: timf
What is everybodies opinion on apologetics?
I am not sure that the concept of forgiveness of sins in the blood of Jesus can compete in the "marketplace of ideas". The Bible says that the word of God is foolishness to those that are perishing. However, we need to have the word out in the market place, not to persuade, but so that when the Lord touches a heart, it can respond. (faith comes by hearing)
I have found a better use for apologetics with Christians. Many have had their faith crippled by being unable to trust God's word because "experts" have "proven" the Bible in in error.
Apologetics relies on the persuasive power of truth. This is not much of a power unless the heart is given to Him who is truth. The evangelist can use truth to call hearts the Lord prepares to respond. The apologist can call Christians to place greater faith in their Lord by "proving" the truth of His word, His promises, and His love.
timf,
This is an excelent reply. IMO this is what apologetics is. It's more of a defense for the Christian than a tool to reach unbelievers. As you said the word of God is foolishness to those who are perishing. But I also believe we need to stand up for this word when it is belittled by the secular humanists or whoever attacks our faith. We see so much that attempts to diminish the word today and I believe we need more men and women prepared as apologists. Sadly many of the attacks come from within the church. Thanks for your good response.
Rick
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RE: Apologetics? - 9/1/2008 3:25:08 PM
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Rick4Him
Posts: 92
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sparkleingsnow
Please define what you mean by apologetics.
I did mean Apologetics and not Apostolic.
Apologetics is simply the defending of our faith.
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RE: Apologetics? - 9/1/2008 3:35:18 PM
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earthless
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Rick - sorry about that.. for some reason I thought I was posting in the thread where someone was asking about different denominations. And he listed 'Apologetic' as a denomination..
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RE: Apologetics? - 9/1/2008 4:10:50 PM
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Jhud
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Having been a adamant agnostic for the first half of my life, I tend to see a lot of value in apologetics - and having observed the ministry for about 20 years, I would have to say that we live in a time when some of the greatest apologists are speaking and acting since the early years of the church.
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Jack
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
- C.S. Lewis
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RE: Apologetics? - 9/1/2008 4:33:04 PM
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deermousie
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Apologetics comes from the same word as English "apology" but has a different twist; apologetics means to make a defense for truth:
always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you 1 Peter 3:15
It deals with our epistomology: "how do you know?" Apologetics deals with the facts behind the truth about God and the Bible.
People who hate God can't punch Him in the face, so they turn and try to kick the supports out from under the Bible (source of Christian truth) and critical biblical teaching (dogma), like the resurrection of Christ (and of course, Christians).
There will always be people who do this, although their steamrollering of God and the Bible hasn't worked for... oh... 2000 years at least. But they'll keep trying, so be ready to answer them.
A really great book is "Evidence That Demands a Verdict" which was probably the best book on apologetics of the twentieth century, and it's easy to read because it's in outline form. An even easier version is "More Than a Carpenter" both by Josh McDowell.
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