Unleashing Your Faith
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Unleashing Your FaithPresuppositions
2
Discussing Truth and
Christian Convictions
Unleashing Your Faith
Set Christ apart as Lord in your heartsand always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess, yet do it with courtesy and respect…
1 Pet 3:15
AmbassadorModelCredo
Know Your
Audience
Proof, Defense, Offense
TacticsPresuppositions
Unleashing Your Faith
AmbassadorModelCredo
Know Your
Audience
Proof, Defense, Offense
TacticsPresuppositions
APOLOGETICS has a questionable reputation among non-aficionados. By definition, apologists defend the faith. They defeat false ideas. They destroy speculations raised up against the knowledge of God. Those sound like fightin’ words to many people.
- Gregory Koukl
Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
The atheist who denies God’s existenceThe agnostic who doesn’t know what he
believesThe religionist who follows man-made traditionsThe elitist, who refuses to hear the voice of GodThe multitudes, who ignore God’s voice The believer who needs to be encouraged and
supported by the voice of God.
Our “Target Audience”
ARGUMENT
1. an oral disagreement; verbal opposition; contention; altercation: a violent argument.
2. a discussion involving differing points of view; debate: They were deeply involved in an argument about inflation.
3. a process of reasoning; series of reasons: I couldn't follow his argument.
4. a statement, reason, or fact for or against a point: This is a strong argument in favor of her theory.
5. an address or composition intended to convince or persuade
- persuasive discourse
Arguments for the truth of the Christian faith
(vindication / proof / positive apologetics)
Aim – to show that Christianity is reasonable and rational.
Using philosophical arguments and evidence from science, archaeology and history to show that the
Christian faith has greater power than any alternative belief system to explain and interpret
the world we live in.
1
Arguments refuting accusations made against the Christian faith
(defence / negative apologetics)
Aim – to show that Christianity is not unreasonable / irrational.
Removing objections that are made against Christianity, for example claims of contradictions in the Bible,
alternative interpretations of historical and scientific evidence and misconceptions about Christian belief.
2
Refutation of opposing beliefs (offense)
Aim – to show that non-Christian belief systems are unreasonable / irrational
Focuses not on specific attacks againstChristianity but on undermining the foundations
of other belief systems.
3
Unleashing Your Faith – ATTITUDE
LET YOUR SPEECH ALWAYS BE WITH GRACE, SEASONED, AS IT WERE,
WITH SALT, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW HOW YOU SHOULD
RESPOND TO EACH PERSON. (COLOSSIANS 4:6)
— Paul , the apostle
When you got up this morning and decided to come to worship at GSPC,
what did you assume about your day?
Defending Your Faith
Set Christ apart as Lord in your heartsand always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess, yet do it with courtesy and respect…
1 Pet 3:15-16
AmbassadorModelCredo
Know Your
Audience
Proof, Defense, Offense
TacticsPresuppositions
A Person’s System of Beliefs
A Person’s System of Beliefs
It’s Raining Outside
Creationism
Belief in Miracles
Trusting in Jesus
A Person’s System of Beliefs
It’s Raining Outside
Abortion is ok
Miracles are impossible
There is no God
Many and BIG differences
Few but still a BIG Difference
The Myth of Neutrality
Is it possible to set aside your worldview?
The Myth of Neutrality
Romans 8:5-7For those who live accordingto the flesh set their mindson the things of the flesh,
but those who live accordingto the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
For to set the mind on the flesh is death,
but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
indeed, it cannot
The Myth of Neutrality
The Bible portrays two possible states of mind:
According to the SpiritAccording to the flesh
The Myth of Neutrality
Jesus rose from the dead.
That authenticates Him!That’s impossible!Strange things can happen!So what…
What is the most important question in creation?
Is there or is there not a God?
Panentheism
Panentheism - “pan”, meaning all, “en”, meaning in, and “theism”, meaning God.
Panentheism considers God and the world to be inter-related with the world being in God and God being in the world.
Panentheism offers an alternative to both traditional theism and pantheism.
Panentheism seeks to avoid either isolating God from the world, or identifying God with the world as pantheism does.
The Myth of Neutrality
Romans 1:18-23For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking,and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Today’s Influencing Factors
Changed Culture - Christendom is dead - post modernism - sexual revolution o destruction of marriage o ordination of homosexuals - media influence - Sunday competition - pluralism - relativistic ethics
‘Promised Pluralism’
Hospitality vs. Reverance- Jesus is not necessarily the only way
Changed Church
The Myth of Neutrality
Your “AUDIENCE” is not a blank slate!
I enjoy my
sensuous lifestyle. I am unbiased
Science is theultimate judge. Abortion is abouta woman’s choice.
My priest wasmean to me.Religion is forwimps.SIN
The Myth of Neutrality
Autonomous Reasoning
… and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
… and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you autonomous."
John 8:32
The Myth of Neutrality
Autonomous Reasoning
I’ll be the judge of that!
Who is this that darkens counsel by words without
knowledge?
The Myth of Neutrality
Autonomous Reasoning
I’ll be the judge of that!
The Myth of Neutrality
It is possible to set aside your worldview?
No!
Defending Your Faith
Set Christ apart as Lord in your heartsand always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess, yet do it with courtesy and respect…
1 Pet 3:15-16
AmbassadorModelCredo
Know Your
Audience
Proof, Defense, Offense
TacticsPresuppositions
Unleashing Your Faith
NEXT WEEK
21st Century Ambassador
Discussing Truth and
Christian Convictions
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