Relational Apologetics Introduce people to the reality of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ the Person of Truth. By emphasizing the love relationship between God and the believer, we introduce them to Jesus as the embodiment of truth and as they consider having a relationship with Jesus, we give evidential reasons that support He is God. Therefore, the starting point is the realization that Jesus is the embodiment of truth (moving from the concept of “what” to “who”) explaining that the Christian faith is a life lived in relationship with God through Christ. This approach is then substantiated by evidential and historical evidence that establish that Jesus Christ is the one and only true and perfect God of the universe. This view counter postmodern teachings that all are viewpoints are equally valid in view of God, truth, and reality by rooting truth in the person of Jesus Christ. ~ Adapted from Josh McDowell & Bob Hostetler, Beyond Belief to Convictions (Wheaton: Tyndale House, 2002).

Relational Apologetics As we embrace the realization that Jesus Christ is the embodiment of truth and explain the Christian faith as a life lived in relationship with God through Christ, we can counter postmodern teachings of God, truth, and reality.

Understanding Jesus Christ as a the absolute embodiment of truth means: # 1Truth could not be subjectively created; truth is and comes from the objective, absolute person of Christ himself. As John wrote: “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17 NKJV).

Understanding Jesus Christ as a the absolute embodiment of truth means: # 2.Truth could not be relative and change from person to person, from community to community, because Jesus is the incarnation of the God who “never changes or casts shifting shadows” (James 1:17). As Scripture states: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb.13:8).

Understanding Jesus Christ as a the absolute embodiment of truth means: # 3.All truth could not be equal because Jesus didn’t claim to be “a” truth, one that is equal to all others. His claim was exclusive; he claimed to be the one and only truth, the only way to God. “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” he said. “No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Those are not the words of someone who is “one among many,” someone who is “equal” to all others; those are the words of one who has no equal. He is the incarnation of him who said: “I am the Lord; there is no other God. I have prepared you, even though you do not know me, so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the Lord, and there is no other (Isaiah 45:5-6).

Relationship with Christ Defines Community: A.We must transform mistaken, misguided perceptions of truth by leading people to encounter the one & only true Person of Truth-Jesus Christ. B.As we introduce them to the Person of Truth, who wants them to experience His love personally, they will begin to understand how this relationship draws them into an all-inclusive community-the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-27). But while Christ’s offer of a relationship with God might be compelling, it wouldn’t be real & lasting if He weren’t true. C.When that realization ripens, we then point our young people to the historical evidence that established Jesus Christ as the one and only true and perfect God of the universe. They will be motivated to investigate their evidences because if Christ isn’t who He is & said He was-and if he didn’t rise from the dead & if the Bible can’t be trusted-none of what they experience is a reality. It would be only a figment of their meaningless faith. “ …if we have hope in Christ only for this life, we are the most miserable people in the world.” (1 Cor. 15:19).

Introducing People to the Bible: The reliability and authority of the Bible is crucial to demonstrating that the Christian faith is true. Therefore, be prepared not only to demonstrate that Christ is God but that the Bible is true for: 1. God’s heart says, “I want a relationship with you. And in that relationship I want you to know me and be like me.” Introduce them to the Bible so they come to know that love relationship. 2. God’s Word is the perfect lens to see-and then reflect-the divine nature of God. 3. God wants you to see His Word as an open door to His heart, a way to know Him for who He is.

The Identity of Jesus Christ The Identity of Jesus is utterly crucial to understanding everything he had to say. All that Jesus said and did pointed to his identity as the Messiah, the Son of God, and to the purpose for which he came to earth. If he is not who he claimed to be, then his teachings are either the ramblings of a lunatic who sincerely thought he was God (but wasn’t) or the words of a liar who knew he wasn’t God (but said he was). Jesus did not make his claims to be God without also providing sufficient evidence to support his claims. And, more than that, the evidence Jesus provided-in the fulfillment of messianic prophecies, the Virgin Birth, and the miracles. Remember, evidences that point to the truth of the Incarnation are also evidences for the deity of Jesus Christ.

To Begin to Connect the Disconnected: 1. Remember that what we experience in our human relationships, esp. during our childhood, significantly affects how we perceive and experience our relationship with God. 2. If we fail to relationally connect we may find it far more difficult to become rooted and grounded in the faith. 3. When you make yourself available to others and affirm, love and accept them just as Christ has done for you, you are not only readying their hearts to relationally connect to God, but you are also becoming a one-of-a-kind living agent of Jesus Christ.