A Study in Christian Apologetics – What We Believe and Why The “Top Ten”
Christian Issues
God
- Where did God come from?
The Trinity – Isn’t the Trinity a contradiction?
Biblical Contradictions – The Bible is invalid because it is full of contradictions
Hell – How could God send people to Hell for eternity?
Exclusivity - Aren't Christians intolerant claiming that Christ is the only way to God?
Miracles - Can modern man believe in miracles?
Crutch
- Isn't Christianity just a crutch for weak-minded people?
Heathen
- What about those who never hear the gospel - are they lost forever?
Good Enough - Can't I make it to heaven if I'm just 'good enough?"
Problem of Evil - If God created everything, and evil exists, did He create it? Isn't this a
logical problem for Christianity? And, why do good people suffer?
Cogito, Ergo Credo: I Think, Therefore I Believe
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A Study in Christian Apologetics – What We Believe and Why
#1: Where Did God Come From?
False Question
Prime Mover
“Square Circle”
“Infinite Regress”
Starts Us Looking…
"...I AM WHO I AM..." Exodus 3:14b
Cogito, Ergo Credo: I Think, Therefore I Believe
© 2006 WhyIBelieve.org Ministries ╬ www.WhyIBelieve.org
╬ www.RenewYourMind.org
The “Top Ten”
Christian Issues
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A Study in Christian Apologetics – What We Believe and Why
#2: What Is The Trinity?
The “Top Ten”
Christian Issues
“One God” In “Three Persons”
Not a Contradiction
An Implied Doctrine
1 x 1 x 1 = 1
Time, Infinity, Orange
Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost.
(Matthew 28:19)
And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: And lo a voice from heaven saying, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' (Matthew 3:16-17)
Cogito, Ergo Credo: I Think, Therefore I Believe
© 2006 WhyIBelieve.org Ministries ╬ www.WhyIBelieve.org
╬ www.RenewYourMind.org
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A Study in Christian Apologetics – What We Believe and Why
#3: Isn’t the Bible Invalid Because of the Contradictions?
The Assumption…
Difficulty = Contradiction?
Syntax, Writers Perspective, Cultural Context
Fig Tree Withers
Immediately?
Matt 21:19
…or…
The Next Day?
Mark 11:14, 20
Judas Hung?
Matt 27:5
…or…
Judas burst?
Acts 1:18-19
The “Top Ten”
Christian Issues
Jesus Rose On 3 rd Day?
Cogito, Ergo Credo: I Think, Therefore I Believe
© 2006 WhyIBelieve.org Ministries ╬ www.WhyIBelieve.org
╬ www.RenewYourMind.org
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A Study in Christian Apologetics – What We Believe and Why
#4: Why Would God Send Someone To Hell?
The “Top Ten”
Christian Issues
“God is Love” vs Holy Wrath
Infinity / Perfect
Torture?
Physical / Spiritual?
Purpose Wasted
CHOICE!
“Thy Will Be Done”
'As surely as I live', declares the sovereign Lord, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.'
Ezekiel 33:11a
Cogito, Ergo Credo: I Think, Therefore I Believe
© 2006 WhyIBelieve.org Ministries ╬ www.WhyIBelieve.org
╬ www.RenewYourMind.org
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A Study in Christian Apologetics – What We Believe and Why
# 5: Isn’t Christianity Intolerant?
The “Top Ten”
Christian Issues
Jesus’ Words! Not Just Ours!
A Truth Claim
Just Like the Rest
Withholding It Would Be Injurious
Merciful Intent
Obeying Our Mandate – Spirit Moves
“Do You Have A Better Alternative”?
Test The Evidence
“I am the way, the Truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”
John 14:6
For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead."
Acts 17:31
Cogito, Ergo Credo: I Think, Therefore I Believe
© 2006 WhyIBelieve.org Ministries ╬ www.WhyIBelieve.org
╬ www.RenewYourMind.org
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A Study in Christian Apologetics – What We Believe and Why
#6: Are Miracles Possible?
What Is The REAL Question?
If God Exists, Then…
Definitions (In Or Out Of Nature)
Require Extraordinary Evidence?
Require Repeatable Evidence?
Natural Law vs. “God of the Gaps” vs. Predictions
Biblical Pattern: God’s Revelation
The “Top Ten”
Christian Issues
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” John 1:14a
Cogito, Ergo Credo: I Think, Therefore I Believe
© 2006 WhyIBelieve.org Ministries ╬ www.WhyIBelieve.org
╬ www.RenewYourMind.org
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A Study in Christian Apologetics – What We Believe and Why
#7: Isn’t Christianity A ‘Crutch’ For Weak People?
The “Top Ten”
Christian Issues
Is Christianity Just ‘Wish Fulfillment”?
Is A ‘Genetic Fallacy’
This Charge Simply Attacks ‘Intent’
- And If True, We Would Expect To Wish It!
Should Instead Work From Evidences
Besides, The Charge Could Be Used Against Them!
“We have this hope as an anchor to the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19
Cogito, Ergo Credo: I Think, Therefore I Believe
© 2006 WhyIBelieve.org Ministries ╬ www.WhyIBelieve.org
╬ www.RenewYourMind.org
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A Study in Christian Apologetics – What We Believe and Why
#8: What About The Heathen?
The “Top Ten”
Christian Issues
Jesus IS the Only Way
ALL Condemned
General Revelation to All
God Seeks Us
Grace
Job/Abraham/Moses
"Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciousness also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them. This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through
Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares." Romans 2:14-16
Cogito, Ergo Credo: I Think, Therefore I Believe
© 2006 WhyIBelieve.org Ministries ╬ www.WhyIBelieve.org
╬ www.RenewYourMind.org
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A Study in Christian Apologetics – What We Believe and Why
#9: Can’t I Make It To Heaven If I’m ‘Good Enough’?
Who Says?
Wishful Thinking
How Good Is Good Enough?
Infinity!
Causes Apathy or Worry
Bottom Line: Made Up Belief
“…no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” Romans 3:20
Cogito, Ergo Credo: I Think, Therefore I Believe
© 2006 WhyIBelieve.org Ministries ╬ www.WhyIBelieve.org
╬ www.RenewYourMind.org
The “Top Ten”
Christian Issues
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A Study in Christian Apologetics – What We Believe and Why
#10: The Problem of Evil
The “Top Ten”
Christian Issues
What Exactly is Evil?
Natural / Volitional
Absence of Good
Free Will Defense
Control Issue
Proves Existence of God?
Unique Christian Perspective
"Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" " Neither this man nor His parents sinned ," said Jesus, " but this happened so that the work of
God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me ." John 9:2b-3
Cogito, Ergo Credo: I Think, Therefore I Believe
© 2006 WhyIBelieve.org Ministries ╬ www.WhyIBelieve.org
╬ www.RenewYourMind.org
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