Results 1 - 3 of 3
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Are Christian apologetics unbiblical? | 1 Pet 3:15 | Radioman2 | 101676 | ||
Apologetics Defined The reply that begins "Oh Lord! anyone who knows anything about..." is an interesting example of a non-answer to the original question. The question was and is, "Should one try to be clear or muddled?" It is a subtopic under the original question, which is: Are Christian apologetics unbiblical? Apologetics Defined. 'The word "apologetics" comes from the Greek word "apologia," pronounced, "ap-ol-og-ee’-ah." It means, "a verbal defense." It is used eight times in the New Testament: Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Cor. 9:3; 2 Cor. 7:11; Phil. 1;7,17; 2 Tim. 4:16, and 1 Pet. 3:15. ( . . . ) 'Therefore, Christian apologetics is that branch of Christianity that deals with answering any and all critics who oppose or question the revelation of God in Christ and the Bible. It can include studying such subjects as biblical manuscript transmission, philosophy, biology, mathematics, evolution, and logic. But it can also consist of simply giving an answer to a question about Jesus or a Bible passage. The latter case is by far the most common and you don’t have to read a ton of books to do that. ( . . . ) 'Basically, apologetics is equivalent to theology in sneakers. It means getting the hay down off the loft and down to where the cows can eat it. Anyone can ‘do’ apologetics. All it takes is a willingness, a little work, and the Spirit of God in you' (http://www.carm.org/apologetics/intro.htm). --Radioman2 |
||||||
2 | What are we to say? | 1 Pet 3:15 | Radioman2 | 101679 | ||
Are Christian apologetics unbiblical? But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a LOGICAL DEFENSE to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully. [Isa. 8:12, 13.] (AMPLIFIED 1 Peter 3:15 Emphasis added.) If we shouldn't use arguments[footnote 1] to promote the Gospel--because it's leaning on human wisdom and not God--then what are we to say? I have been challenged a number of times recently on the use of intellectual arguments and rational persuasion in the defense of the gospel. In other words, the whole idea of Christian apologetics is called into question as being unbiblical. For example, one reader said: "don't resort to...arguments to evade the clear statements of truth in the Bible,...be guided by Bible truth and put our trust in it first and foremost." (On the surface, this sounds OK. However, if you read this quote in the context of the post in which it is written, you will see there is more to it than meets the eye.) Another wrote: "I want to see Scripture not no (sic) mumbo jumbo from Strong['s] or any other different references. I want Scripture." Another asked: "Is this article inspired by revelation, or, the Spirit of the living God, or, is it man's wisdom?" The implication by these readers seems to be: you must choose between the use of intellectual arguments and rational persuasion or Bible verses alone; it's either/or. The assumption here is that the two are mutually exclusive options. If we shouldn't use arguments[footnote 1] to promote the Gospel--because it's leaning on human wisdom and not God--then what are we to say? How would you answer this question? Please tell us why you answer as you do. Whatever the reasoning behind your answer, tell us what it is. John Reformed, I appreciate your clear and relevant answer. However, if other answers are muddled and not clear, then you all will have answered the question by default. ------------- [Footnote 1] When I use the word "argument" here, I do not mean it in the sense of "quarrel" or "disagreement." I mean it in the following sense: "argument -- 2 a : a reason given in proof or rebuttal b : discourse intended to persuade 3 b : a coherent series of statements leading from a premise to a conclusion" (www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary). --Radioman2 |
||||||
3 | What are we to say? | 1 Pet 3:15 | Mommapbs | 101680 | ||
Radioman - Can two walk together unless they be agreed? The Lord desires to be my Companion yet if I choose not to walk with Him, how can I tell anyone else about the "hope I have IN Him?" If our "defense" is without experience is it reasonable for another to believe; is it logical if it is not practical? I think that at times we speak apart from intimate knowledge of the Savior and it leads to confusion in the body. How I wish that folks here would readily tell of what God is doing in their lives this day, rather than rely upon their tales of conversion. Hope I don't hit too many nerves out there, but this really bothers me. mommapbs |
||||||