Why we need Christian Apologetics in our culture today:
Once upon a time the United States could call itself a Christian Nation. However, if you’ve had much experience in public education, particularly higher education and the political landscape in general, you are probably in tune to the fact that we are in a post-Christian era and many experts would say that western society has moved toward an anti-Christian culture in general.
Last week we looked at some alarming statistics that should cause all Christians to feel a sense of urgency to become trained in sharing and defending their faith. The best way to get this training comes in the form of “Christian Apologetics” which is not a class offered by many Churches today. However, with an increase in the number of young people leaving the Church, and more and more people in all age categories checking their religious preference as “none,” it should be of paramount importance to include apologetics as a consistent staple of Church teaching.
In today’s world Christians face a battle not just at home, school or the workplace but internationally. Everyone is now involved in some form of social media on the “worldwide web.” Statistics show the top two categories of online literature are either in some form of pornography or religion. What side of the battle will you be on?
“From the shortest texts and tweets to the humblest website, to the angriest blog, to the most visited social networks, the daily communications of the wired world attest that everyone is now in the business of relentless self-promotion–presenting themselves, explaining themselves, defending themselves, selling themselves or sharing their inner thoughts and emotions as never before in human history. That is why it can be said that we are in the grand secular age of apologetics” –Os Guinness
Take the test:
Please take some time to thoughtfully consider the answers to these questions, then assess how you did. If you are not satisfied with your ability to adequately answer each question spend some time with us each week, and other Christian Apologists whose work will be shared here. We are all called to give an answer for the hope that we have in Christ Jesus to everyone who asks! (1 Peter 3:15)
Here’s the scenario: You are in a conversation with a group of people and one or more of the following questions arise. You have only one minute to respond (because that’s the usual attention span of most people in a group conversation). See how you do on seven of the most common questions and objections directed towards Christianity (write your answers out and limit them to one or two short paragraphs):
- Why are you a Christian?
- What evidence do you have to believe God exists?
- Why do you trust what the Bible says about Jesus?
- Why would God send people to hell just because they don’t believe in Jesus?
- If God is all-loving and all-powerful, why is there so much evil and suffering in the world?
- If God is the creator of everything, who created God?
- Why would a loving God command the total destruction of all Israel’s enemies, including their children and livestock?
Once you’ve completed the test make your own assessment about the answers you’ve given. Be honest with yourself:
- Was it difficult to think of a response for each question, why?
- Did you struggle to articulate an answer without simply relying on your own subjective experience, why?
- Some responses will definitely be more persuasive than others and there are different ways to respond. Do you think unbelievers would be satisfied with your answers, especially if they asked for objective evidence to support your claims, why?
These questions are taken from forensicfaithbook.com created by J. Warner Wallace, author of Forensic Faith: A Homicide Detective Makes the Case for a More Reasonable, Evidential Christian Faith. Go to this link and refer to the articles there that correspond to each question.
http://forensicfaithbook.com/can-you-pass-the-test/
It is my hope and prayer that this series of “Defending the Faith 101” posts will help you formulate good answers to exactly these kinds of questions that are asked of Christians by the culture today. It does take practice and some commitment to study, but we are all called to love God with all our heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:36-38) and to give an answer for the hope that we have in Jesus. (1 Peter 3:15), so it will be worth it!
Continued prayer request: Please join me in prayer for Nabeel Qureshi and his family. Pray for God’s healing hand to work a miracle in Nabeel’s life and for God’s peace and comfort that passes all understanding for him and his family. In God’s will and Jesus’ Name always we pray, Amen
Join us next week as we continue to make a case for Christianity!
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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.
Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.
Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.
Teri Dugan