He Lives: An apology for Apologetics

On his blog, David Heddle presents 7 great arguments in favor of Apologetics. These are great!

The late John Gerstner gave the following reasons for apologetics:

1. People who argue against arguments (That is, Christians who claim that apologetics are unseemly, reason is unreliable, and only unquestioning faith is virtuous) are, in fact, making arguments. They are using their heads to justify not using their heads. To provide reasons for not using reason is simply not very smart.

2. You will encounter those who will, as they should, ask why. You need a because that is more substantive than just because.

3. When sane people appear to be against reason, they actually are not. When Tertullian said he believed (in God) because it was absurd (as opposed to logical) he was in fact saying that it was logical that the ways of an infinite, Holy God should (by reason) appear absurd to fallen creatures.

4. If Christianity claims to be true, then it requires prove. If we only needed to claim truth, the Christianity would be established, as would Mormonism, Scientology, Islam, and all other religions. Proof is not just for the atheist, but also the believer. As Chillingsworth put it:

I am certain that God has given us our reason to discern between truth and falsehood, and he who makes no use of it, but believes things he knows not why, I say, it is by chance that he believes the truth and not by choice; and I cannot but fear that God will not accept the sacrifice of fools.

Even when we jettison reason in favor of experience, we are actually reasoning. The very primitive reason is this: I have had an experience, and that experience could only come from God. But this reasoning is very weak, and requires the listener to take the speaker’s word for it. The apologist who has only experience is in a position of extreme weakness, like the Moody Bible student who witnessed about Christ in her life to a University of Chicago professor. The scholar, through probing questions that she could not begin to answer, eventually had her doubting her own salvation. She was right and he was wrong, but she didn't know her apologetics. She had the proof but didn't know how to express it, and ultimately believed she didn't have it.

5. Christ proved He was who He claimed to be.

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. (John 14:11)

But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." (Matt. 9:6)

Before healing the paralytic, Jesus forgave him of his sins, thus claiming His divinity. He then did not say: believe it or not. Rather he went on to prove His divinity by means that no rational person could deny.

6. The bible testifies to its own inspiration, but not through circular reasoning. The gospels have proven historically reliable, and they testify to a miracle working Jesus, miracles of which His enemies do not deny but rather attempt to attribute to Satan.

7. Through apologetics we demonstrate that the Creator is God, that God certifies His Son, that His Son certifies the Word, and that the Word certifies the gospel.

He Lives: An apology for Apologetics

Brennon's Thoughts: Arminianism = Council of Orange

I found a very interesting post about how Arminians see Pelagians. I agree with Brennon that there is no way the two can be literally equated. All Bible-believing Christians agree that a - every human being need salvation through Jesus to avoid going to hell and b - Grace from God is necessary to be saved. There are disagreements but I'm sure all Christians agree with these two points at least. I'd go further on to say that Grace is not just necessary but also sufficient. Pelagians historically assert that humans are so free that Jesus' sacrifice was unnecessary for our salvation. The point is that Pelagianism is definitely a heresy and I'm glad that historically Arminians repudiate it. I was prompted to write this post because Brennon's is so good.

Brennon's Thoughts: Arminianism = Council of Orange

Iron Sharpens Iron: ISI Is Off The Air

I just got some saddening news:

Dear Fans and Friends of Iron Sharpens Iron,

On November 2, 2009 Chris Arnzen found out that WNYG (the station hosting Iron Sharpens Iron) was sold. The station is currently off the air.

Please keep Chris and the show in your prayers, as he seeks a new station to continue the show.

If you've enjoyed Iron Sharpens Iron over the years, please take a few minutes to send Chris an e-mail and let him know that you're praying for him, and that you hope to hear the show back on the air soon: carnzen@optonline.net.

I'll be keeping the archives available, and I'll post updates as soon as they become available.

James Swan

xx

I'm saddened because I love the show. I think it feels a niche that is needed in society. However, I think that this may be an opportunity. Instead of radio, Why not turn Iron Sharpens Iron into a web cast?

Iron Sharpens Iron: ISI Is Off The Air

Ghosts, Demons, Ufos, Hell Do Exist!

I don't agree with all of this series. As a matter of fact I think some of the teachings in it are wrong. I don't think scripture supports the idea that the Nephilim were human/angel hybrids. I also think that film makers sensationalized a lot of it. I also have to take everything they said, not in the Bible, with a "grain of salt". For example, I think the existence of UFOs and Aliens are up for debate. I don't know the answer to that. However, I am cautiously leaning to the idea that UFO experiences are demonic manifestations if those experiences are true. I also don't think that ghosts are real in the idea that they are disembodied human spirits. I can find no Biblical examples of a human spirit returning after death to the living world and haunting the living. However, I do believe because of what the Bible teaches that demons are real and hell is real. I also liked how the videos do teach the truth that Jesus is the only way for salvation and to avoid going to hell.




part 1


part 2


part 3


part 4


part 5


part 6


part 7


part 8