This week we are starting a new class on Christian Apologetics. If you are new to studying Apologetics, or have studied it before, this class will be for both of you! Over the next several weeks we will cover some of the most important questions asked of Christians in our culture today. In addition, we will do a Bible study to practice our understanding of how to use hermeneutics. This week is our introduction that will focus on our Ministry Statement and some background as to what Christian Apologetics and hermeneutics is all about!

Check out the class presentation, and the overview notes and Bible study can be found below:

Presentation Overview Notes:

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: LET ME EXPLAIN!

Own your faith, know what you believe and why you believe it!

Class Introduction

MINISTRY STATEMENT

The purpose of this class is to provide participants with the information and tools needed to address the questions asked of Christians in our culture today (1 Peter 3:15).

This includes an emphasis on…

1. Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; John 17:1-3 the entire chapter is a model)
2. Bible Study – proper Biblical interpretation through the use of hermeneutics (Matthew 22:37; 2 Timothy 2:15)
3. Apologetics – a defense of the historicity, inerrancy and inspiration of the Christian Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
4. Discipleship (Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 10:23-25)

• This ministry believes that it is the responsibility of every person to invest serious time looking into the claims of Christianity because what we believe to be true about God, human purpose and destiny defines us in this life and more importantly in the next (John 14:1-3).

• This ministry is committed to providing Biblical truths based on the teachings of Jesus and his Apostles (John 14:6-7; 2 Peter 1:16-19; 1 John 1:1-4). The most important question we must answer in this life is the one Jesus asked of his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:18-20).

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS

What is Christian Apologetics?

• Apologetics: Our Biblical call to give a defense of the faith.
• Apologetics=apologia (ap-ol-og-ee’-ah) in the original Greek means to give a verbal defense, like in a court of law.
• It is used eight times in the New Testament: Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Corinthians 9:3; 2 Corinthians 10:5 and 10:6; Philippians 1:7; 2 Timothy 4:16; and 1 Peter 3:15.
• Christian Apologetics seeks to address misconceptions and defend the Christian faith from an intellectual point of view along with a Biblical Christian worldview.
• Christian Apologetics deals with the pursuit and defense of GOD’S TRUTH.
• Christians have used apologetics since the time of Jesus because it helps point people to the truth found in Scripture, the connection of the Old Testament to the New Testament and to the ultimate truth that came in the person and teachings of Jesus.

Are there Biblical Examples for using Apologetics?

The Great Commission

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

-Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB)

The Great Commandment

“…’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is  like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

-Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)

Paul’s witness included defending and giving reason for the faith:

“Yet Saul (Paul) grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.”

-Acts 9:22 (NIV)

“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.”

-Acts 17:16-17 (NIV)

Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

-2 Corinthians 5:20a (NIV)

Paul, speaking about leadership in the Church, writes this to Titus:

“He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.”

-Titus 1:9 (NLT)

Jesus used apologetics:

(Jesus said…) “But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me.”

-John 5:36 (NLT)

In Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus gave apologetic evidence that He had the power to forgive sins on earth by not only forgiving the paralytic’s sins, but by making him walk!

“Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up and went home! Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority.”

Matthew 9:1-8 (NLT)

Jesus’ Disciples gave dissertations in defense of the Gospel:

Apollos: “For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.”  -Acts 18:28

Peter: Acts chapters 2, 3, 10 and in both of his letters (1 and 2 Peter)

Stephen: Acts chapter 7

John: The majority of the Gospel of John is an apologetic as is his three letters (1, 2 and 3 John)

Jude: A half brother of Jesus wrote in his letter to “contend earnestly” meaning fight for the truth! (1:3)

The early Church leaders (Polycarp, Clement, Origin, Justin, etc.)  used apologetics in the first through third centuries after Jesus

The Apologist’s Theme:

“Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”

-1 Peter 3:13-17 (NASB)

Why do we need to practice Apologetics?

We are warned:

Jesus, speaking to His disciples…

“And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.”

“For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.”

-Matthew 24:4-5; 24 (NASB)

The Apostle Paul wrote this warning to the believers in Colossae:

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” 

–Colossians 2:8 (NASB)

The Apostle Paul also wrote this warning to the young pastor Timothy:

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”

-1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV)

The Apostle Peter wrote these warnings to the persecuted Church:

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.”  -2 Peter 2:1-3a (NIV)

“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.”  -2 Peter 3:3 (NIV)

The Apostle John wrote this warning to the believers during persecution and the beginning of false teaching (Gnosticism) in the Church:

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”                       -1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

“This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. “

-1 John 2:25-26 (NASB)

God warned the Israelites in the Old Testament numerous time of their impending destruction, and the prophet Hosea tells us why:

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

-Hosea 4:6 (NASB)

HERMENEUTICS
Bible Study in Context

What is Hermeneutics?

Hermeneutics describes the task of explaining the meaning of the Scriptures.

The word comes from the Greek verb “hermeneuein” that means ‘to explain, interpret or translate.’ 

Using the verb, the Gospel writer Luke informs us that Jesus, after His resurrection, explained to the two disciples on the Emmaus Road what the Scriptures said about Him. (Luke 24:27)

• Hermeneutics is simply studying the Bible in its proper context, like you would do with any book.

• Hermeneutics provides some basic guidelines for studying the Bible so that we can be sure that what we are reading and sharing with others is correct.

Principle #1:
Never Read a Bible Verse by Itself

• Stick to the plain reading of the text unless otherwise indicated—the Bible interprets the Bible!
• Reading a Bible verse by itself and trying to interpret what it means based on “what you feel” can be dangerous.
• If you rely on what a person feels in a group study you will most likely get a wide range of opinions and trouble may arise.

Many cults have begun this way, twisting the Scriptures to fit personal agendas

The Apostle Paul warns about this:

“I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good New at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!”

Galatians 1:6-9 (NLT)

Since the beginning of time Satan’s goal has been deception:

Scripture Twisting was instituted by Satan himself when he tempted Eve and asked:

“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden? …You will not surely die, …for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God.’”

(See Genesis 3)

Principle #2:
Use the Hermeneutical Method

1. AUTHOR-AUDIENCE-DATE

(Includes cultural background of that day)

2. PURPOSE OF THE WRITING

(Includes genre)

3. CONTEXT/FLOW OF THOUGHT

(Includes getting the big picture)

4. INTERPRETATION/SUMMARY

(Includes cross-referencing)

5. PERSONAL AND CULTURAL APPLICATION

(Always done last)

Note: It is important to follow this order. If you start with personal application instead of author-audience-date you may not get the correct context and misapply it to your life. 

The Book of Proverbs
Example of how to use Hermeneutics

1. Author-Audience-Date

Author: Solomon wrote the majority of the Proverbs and is considered to be the wisest man who ever lived (see 1 Kings 3); a few of the later Proverbs were written by Agur (30:1), King Lemuel’s mother (31:1), the men of Hezekiah (25:1), and anonymous sages (22:17).

Audience: Ultimately the book of Proverbs is universal (it applies to everyone), but originally each proverb was written as a lesson, in some cases as a father speaking to a son, and then became a collection of teaching on wise living for the Hebrew people.

Date: There are 31 Proverbs mostly written and compiled during Solomon’s reign (ca. 970-930 BC) with a few added in at later dates in Israel’s history.

Cultural Notes:

• As with any ancient literature, it is an important hermeneutical concept to put yourself in the ancient audience’s shoes and not impose our 21st century standards or views upon them (as we cannot change the facts of history).
• Some of the sayings in the proverbs need to be understood in the context of the cultural experiences and societal norms of that day that can at times, be controversial for us, for example: The role of men, women and children, discipline methods, and use of words and terms that may be outdated today.

2. Purpose of the Writing

“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding, to receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; to give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and discretion.”

–Proverbs 1:1-4

• Proverbs were written to teach wisdom, and the main purpose of the Biblical Proverbs was to gather a collection of writings that offered insight into wisdom founded on the “fear of the Lord.”
• Proverbs are designed to teach the practical consequences of wisdom contrasted with foolishness, and to show there is a vast difference between “knowledge” (having facts) and “wisdom” (properly applying those facts to life).

Genre: Proverbs is part of the ”Wisdom and Poetry” section of the Old Testament, and uses varied literary forms such as:

• poems
• metaphors
• brief parables
• pointed questions
• couplets to teach wise living vs. foolishness

3. Context/Flow of Thought

Major Themes:

Wisdom, relationships, speech, work ethic, discipline, successful fellowship with God and others

The Blueprint: There are 31 chapters in Proverbs, divided as follows…

Wisdom for young people – 1:1 through 9:18

Wisdom for all people – 10:1 through 24:34

Wisdom for leaders – 25:1 through 31:31

Key Verse:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction”  1:7

4. Interpretation/Summary

• A proverb, by definition, is a generalized statement that affirms godly values and virtues.
• Proverbs are not promises or guarantees, but a set of truths that lead to wise living based on the knowledge of God and His Word.
• The teaching of wisdom literature functions to shape character and develop virtue, and is intended to promote a secure and functional family and society, both founded on the fear of the Lord, which is to be at the center of our
• Proverbs teaches us to trust in the LORD, and not our own knowledge which is usually based on feelings:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  3:5-6

5. Personal and Cultural Application

• Proverbs teaches us how to show wisdom in the way we speak and the way we interact with others.
• Proverbs teaches us to discern truth from error.
• Proverbs teaches us about God’s wisdom and His desire for us to pursue this wisdom to know Him better; this will also result in greater fellowship and relationship with others.
• Knowing God is the key to wisdom:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”  9:10

Challenge

Read one proverb a day as a daily devotional, repeat each month (there are 31 proverbs) See how your attitude about life can improve!

Reflection

If you only had one minute for each question, to the best of your ability, give an answer in your own words:

1. What are four important things a Christian should work on, and model, in their walk with God? (Hint: from our Ministry Statement)
2. What is Christian Apologetics? Give an example
3. What is Hermeneutics? Give an example

Bible Study

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Preview the book of Ephesians, then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions for a good hermeneutical overview (a good study Bible can help):

1. Who was the author? What do we know about him, and did he author any other books of the Bible?
2. Who was the audience? Put yourself in their shoes for a minute: What was the culture and society like at that time, and how would it have influenced their daily lives (in other words – what would a day in their life look like)?
3. What was the date the book was written? How can we know?
4. What was the purpose and genre of the writing? Was there a specific event(s) or situation(s) going on that prompted the author to write to this audience?
5. Discuss: What are some things that you already know about this book (basic outline, key people and places, etc.)?

Join us next week as we continue our new study in Christian Apologetics and the book of Ephesians!

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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

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15