Grace Life Community Church Apologetics Conference 2014.

Grace Life Community Grace Life Community ChurchChurchApologetics Conference 2014Apologetics Conference 2014

Where are we Going?Where are we Going?• Where are we nowWhere are we now: A look at who we are and how we : A look at who we are and how we

think . . . AND WHY?!?think . . . AND WHY?!?

• The Big QuestionsThe Big Questions– Does God exist?Does God exist?– What about Neo-Darwinian Evolution?What about Neo-Darwinian Evolution?– Are there errors in the Bible?Are there errors in the Bible?– Why is Christianity exclusive – why are we the only ones Why is Christianity exclusive – why are we the only ones

who are right?who are right?– Theodicy – if God is Good and Omnipotent, why do we Theodicy – if God is Good and Omnipotent, why do we

suffer?suffer?

• SPEAKSPEAK: A better method for apologetics- or, How to do : A better method for apologetics- or, How to do apologetics without being sorry.apologetics without being sorry.

• Q&AQ&A

ReviewReview Books and resources mentioned:Books and resources mentioned:

Francis SchaefferFrancis Schaeffer How Should We Then Live*How Should We Then Live* Escape from ReasonEscape from Reason

Books recommended:Books recommended: D.A. CarsonD.A. Carson

The Gagging of God*The Gagging of God* Will DurantWill Durant

The Story of Philosophy°The Story of Philosophy° Neil PostmanNeil Postman

Amusing Ourselves to Death°Amusing Ourselves to Death° James SireJames Sire

The Universe Next DoorThe Universe Next Door

It was shown . . . It It was shown . . . It breaks downbreaks down

Michael Behe*Michael Behe* Darwin’s Black BoxDarwin’s Black Box

Stephen Meyer*Stephen Meyer* Darwin’s DoubtDarwin’s Doubt

Ray ComfortRay Comfort Introduction to 150Introduction to 150thth Anniversary of Origin Of Anniversary of Origin Of

SpeciesSpecies

Dissent From Darwinism ListDissent From Darwinism List

SOME HELPSOME HELP

StrobelStrobel Case for ChristCase for Christ

Norman GeislerNorman Geisler From God to UsFrom God to Us

BE CAREFUL: BART EHRMANBE CAREFUL: BART EHRMAN

SOME HELPSOME HELP

StrobelStrobel Case for ChristCase for Christ Case for the Real JesusCase for the Real Jesus

HabermasHabermas Case for the ResurrectionCase for the Resurrection

Some helpsSome helps

D.A. CarsonD.A. Carson How Long O’Lord?How Long O’Lord?

Lee StrobelLee Strobel The Case for FaithThe Case for Faith

John MacarthurJohn Macarthur Safe in the Arms of GodSafe in the Arms of God

BE CAREFUL: OPEN THEISMBE CAREFUL: OPEN THEISM Clark PinnockClark Pinnock John SandersJohn Sanders Greg BoydGreg Boyd

Answering Biblical Answering Biblical Questions Apologetically Questions Apologetically Without Being SorryWithout Being Sorry

1 Peter 3:15

Why are we doing this?Why are we doing this?

1 Peter 3:151 Peter 3:15 GIVE AN ANSWERGIVE AN ANSWER

2 Corinthians 5:11ff2 Corinthians 5:11ff WE BELIEVEWE BELIEVE

Mark 12:28-34Mark 12:28-34 LOVE GOD, LOVE LOVE GOD, LOVE

PEOPLEPEOPLE

15. but 15. but sanctify sanctify Christ Christ as Lord in your hearts, as Lord in your hearts, always always being being ready ready to to

make a make a defense to defense to everyone who asks you everyone who asks you to give an account for to give an account for

the the hope that is in you, hope that is in you, yet yet with gentleness with gentleness

and and reverence; reverence; -Peter 3:15 -Peter 3:15 NAUNAU

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord,

we persuade others. But what we are is we persuade others. But what we are is

known to God, and I hope it is known also to known to God, and I hope it is known also to

your conscience. 12 We are not commending your conscience. 12 We are not commending

ourselves to you again but giving you cause ourselves to you again but giving you cause

to boast about us, so that you may be able to to boast about us, so that you may be able to

answer those who boast about outward answer those who boast about outward

appearance and not about what is in the appearance and not about what is in the

heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is

for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for

you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us,

because we have concluded this: that one has because we have concluded this: that one has

died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he

died for all, that those who live might no died for all, that those who live might no

longer live for themselves but for him who for longer live for themselves but for him who for

their sake died and was raised. (their sake died and was raised. (2 COR. 5:11-2 COR. 5:11-

1515) )

29 Jesus answered, “The most important

is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the

Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord

your God with all your heart and with all

your soul and with all your mind and with

all your strength.’ 31 The second is this:

‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

There is no other commandment greater

than these.” (MARK 12:28-31)

Why are we doing this?Why are we doing this?

In 1 Peter 3:15In 1 Peter 3:15

ApologiaApologia Means to give a Means to give a

defencedefence Used in the phrase, Used in the phrase,

“Defence of the Gospel”“Defence of the Gospel” Phil. 1:7Phil. 1:7 Phil. 1:16Phil. 1:16

15. but 15. but sanctify sanctify Christ Christ as Lord in your heartsas Lord in your hearts, , always always being being ready ready to to




15. but 15. but sanctify sanctify Christ Christ as Lord in your hearts, as Lord in your hearts, alwaysalways being being ready ready to to

make a make a defense to defense to everyoneeveryone who asks you who asks you to give an account for to give an account for




make a make a defense to defense to everyone everyone who asks you who asks you to give an account for to give an account for

the the hope that is in youhope that is in you, , yet yet with gentleness with gentleness




the the hope that is in you, hope that is in you, yet yet with with gentleness gentleness

and and reverencereverence; ; -Peter 3:15 -Peter 3:15 NAUNAU


make make

a a defensedefense to to everyone who asks you everyone who asks you to give an account for to give an account for



How do we do this?How do we do this? S.P.E.A.K.S.P.E.A.K.

SStart real Conversationtart real Conversation PPay attentionay attention EEvaluate their wordsvaluate their words AAsk questionssk questions KKindly respond and guideindly respond and guide

Write if possibleWrite if possible I write stuff down while they I write stuff down while they

speak, if I canspeak, if I can

Look for “hiccup”Look for “hiccup”

LET’S HAVE DINNERLET’S HAVE DINNER

IGORIGOR

““SPEAK” ApologeticsSPEAK” Apologetics StartStart with with theirtheir questions questions

Pay attentionPay attention to to theirtheir answers answers

EvaluateEvaluate theirtheir words words

Ask questions Ask questions about what about what theythey said said

Kindly respond and guide Kindly respond and guide back through back through theirtheir thoughts and wordsthoughts and words

WhoWho is in focus here? is in focus here?

Start with their Start with their QuestionsQuestions

What are they wondering?What are they wondering?

What did they comment on?What did they comment on?

What are they criticizing?What are they criticizing?

Igor – “The Bible is full of errors?”Igor – “The Bible is full of errors?”

Pay attention to their Pay attention to their AnswersAnswers

Good time to write down statementsGood time to write down statements This can freak some out, but once you explain that This can freak some out, but once you explain that

you want to listen well, it’s cool.you want to listen well, it’s cool. You can also keep your latter questions focused by You can also keep your latter questions focused by

pointing at things they actually said.pointing at things they actually said. Make sure to keep good eye contact, though.Make sure to keep good eye contact, though.

Focus on buzz wordsFocus on buzz words

Do not go “A.D.D.” on them – stick to THIS Do not go “A.D.D.” on them – stick to THIS discussiondiscussion

Igor – “A million errors in the Bible?!?”Igor – “A million errors in the Bible?!?”

Evaluate their WordsEvaluate their Words Pick out buzz wordsPick out buzz words

Organize thoughtsOrganize thoughts

Ask for clarificationAsk for clarification

Igor – “What do you mean by ‘errors’? Based on Igor – “What do you mean by ‘errors’? Based on what?”what?”

Ask Questions about what they Ask Questions about what they SaidSaid

Ask for more clarificationAsk for more clarification

Test with hypotheticalsTest with hypotheticals

Offer conclusions/comparisonsOffer conclusions/comparisons

Igor – “Can we talk about the top 50?”Igor – “Can we talk about the top 50?”

Kindly respond and guide them Kindly respond and guide them through their thoughts and wordsthrough their thoughts and words

Put your evaluations in orderPut your evaluations in order

Connect things they saidConnect things they said

Propose questions that highlight the logical Propose questions that highlight the logical fallaciesfallacies

Igor – “So, you don’t know the book or the author Igor – “So, you don’t know the book or the author or 1 of the ‘errors’? Why do you believe that, or 1 of the ‘errors’? Why do you believe that, then?”then?”

Points of ConcernPoints of ConcernNo one saved in a No one saved in a

debatedebate

The point is to listenThe point is to listen

Look for a “hiccup”Look for a “hiccup”

Show respectShow respect

And…And…

The point is to The point is to Listen!Listen!

Sometimes . . . there’s a Sometimes . . . there’s a gapgap There are things that There are things that

might be an invisible might be an invisible wall between you and wall between you and another – causing a another – causing a distance between you. distance between you. Being aware of these Being aware of these potential issues is potential issues is important.important.

Terms of DistanceTerms of Distance

SyllogismSyllogism

Exegetical FallaciesExegetical Fallacies

Cultural InfluenceCultural Influence

StereotypingStereotyping

Main/Predicate bait and Main/Predicate bait and switchswitch

Incorrect Hermeneutical Incorrect Hermeneutical LogicLogic

Categorical Switch of Categorical Switch of Truth/CultureTruth/Culture

Much like a practical Much like a practical syllogism – a blanket syllogism – a blanket assumptionassumption


CaricaturesCaricatures

Micro-ArgumentationMicro-Argumentation

Emotional Emotional Rejection/DistrustRejection/Distrust

Wrong DefinitionWrong Definition

Disproportionate Disproportionate StereotypingStereotyping

An overemphasis on An overemphasis on secondary Doctrine as secondary Doctrine as PrimaryPrimary

Negative experience Negative experience that is realthat is real

Wrong DefinitionWrong Definition


Doctrinal ConclusionsDoctrinal Conclusions

Satanic InfluenceSatanic Influence

Genuine thoughtful Genuine thoughtful doctrinal view, opposing doctrinal view, opposing biblical Christianitybiblical Christianity

Spiritual warfare is realSpiritual warfare is real

Two Big categoriesTwo Big categories

Doctrinal IssuesDoctrinal Issues

Personal IssuesPersonal Issues

Which is it?Which is it?

The Big QuestionThe Big QuestionWHAT HAPPENED?WHAT HAPPENED?

You need to slow it You need to slow it down and realize . . . down and realize . . .

God doesn’t need you to do this . . . He is God doesn’t need you to do this . . . He is letting you in on what He is doingletting you in on what He is doing

This may take a long timeThis may take a long time

It needs to be organic, naturalIt needs to be organic, natural

It needs to be a clear expression of love – It needs to be a clear expression of love – NOT MAKING A SALENOT MAKING A SALE

It needs to be biblicalIt needs to be biblical

A Walk Back HomeA Walk Back Home: A : A Progression of Degree to Progression of Degree to

gain groundgain ground Is it Possible?Is it Possible?

Is it Probable?Is it Probable?

Is it Likely?Is it Likely?

Is it Actual?Is it Actual?

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE HOW ABOUT A LITTLE PRACTICE?PRACTICE?

A R

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Grace Life Community Grace Life Community ChurchChurchApologetics Conference 2014Apologetics Conference 2014

Grace Life Community Church Apologetics Conference 2014.

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Transcript of Grace Life Community Church Apologetics Conference 2014.