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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 | kalos | 57722 | ||
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 your reasoning behind your answer, tell us what it is. ------------- [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). |
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2 | Are Christian apologetics unbiblical? | 1 Pet 3:15 | John Reformed | 57778 | ||
"How would you answer this question?" Ps 119:78 May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie; But I shall meditate on Your precepts. "Please tell us why you answer as you do." The hebrew word for "meditate" is siyach" which according to the mumbo jumbo of the Strong's means "to muse, meditate upon, study, ponder". "Whatever your reasoning behind your answer, tell us what it is." We are commanded by God to employ our reasoning powers to dig into the Word and to discover the richness and sweetness of it's truth. How one can do this without employing our God-given powers of reason is beyond me. The same is true when we wish to impart truth to others. We reason with them from scripture. How are we to proclaim the gospel if we are not permitted to explain to people what it is that God has said? Of course our reasonong is seriously debilitated by our sinful natures and is far from perfect. That is why it is imperative to ask God for grace and enlightenment in the handling of His Word. Is 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. John |
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3 | Are Christian apologetics unbiblical? | 1 Pet 3:15 | kalos | 57781 | ||
John: "We are commanded by God to employ our reasoning powers to dig into the Word and to discover the richness and sweetness of it's truth. How one can do this without employing our God-given powers of reason is beyond me." Yes, sir. It is beyone me, too. Grace to you, John (my real name) |
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4 | Are Christian apologetics unbiblical? | 1 Pet 3:15 | kalos | 57800 | ||
Correction. Regarding my previous post, the last sentence, "It is beyone me, too." Delete: "beyone". Add: "beyond". |
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