Christian Apologetics – Part I St. Mary & St. Mina Youth Meeting November 14, 2014

Why Apologetics is important ? Commanded in the Scriptures Commanded in the Scriptures Humanity needs it and especially nowadays Humanity needs it and especially nowadays Unfortunately, many are getting none of it Unfortunately, many are getting none of it

Starved for Reasons Faith is continuously being attacked Faith is continuously being attacked Perceived and mistaken notion that there is a contradiction between faith and reason Perceived and mistaken notion that there is a contradiction between faith and reason

Practical Tools Do not be afraid to be unpopular Do not be afraid to be unpopular Do not avoid hard questions Do not avoid hard questions Our work in today’s culture is more of a pre-evangelistic nature Our work in today’s culture is more of a pre-evangelistic nature The purpose of apologetics is not only to win heads but hearts as well – people must see in us JOY and LOVE The purpose of apologetics is not only to win heads but hearts as well – people must see in us JOY and LOVE

Practical Tools Must be passionately in love of truth Must be passionately in love of truth Be a good listener Be a good listener Trust in God’s work and power Trust in God’s work and power –“unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it”

The Argument from Design God exists, we can know that, we can give reason, and those reasons amount to a proof, but not scientific proof God exists, we can know that, we can give reason, and those reasons amount to a proof, but not scientific proof “Where there is a design, there must be a designer” “Where there is a design, there must be a designer”

Examples Imagine you are on an island and see the letters S.O.S, or see a house built with windows, door fireplace and roof, etc…. Imagine you are on an island and see the letters S.O.S, or see a house built with windows, door fireplace and roof, etc…. The story of the first rocket sent to the moon and the two scientists.. The story of the first rocket sent to the moon and the two scientists..

The Design Argument Imagine you are flying and they tell you there is no pilot flying the aircraft but it is flown by a computer that has been programmed randomly by hailstones falling on the computer keyboard Imagine you are flying and they tell you there is no pilot flying the aircraft but it is flown by a computer that has been programmed randomly by hailstones falling on the computer keyboard

The Design Argument The anthropic principle The anthropic principle Evolution does NOT explain everything without the need for a designer Evolution does NOT explain everything without the need for a designer While there is evidence for some forms of evolution, there is NO evidence for natural selection While there is evidence for some forms of evolution, there is NO evidence for natural selection

The Design Argument Could intelligence be born out of chance ? Could intelligence be born out of chance ? The principle of casuality The principle of casuality –You cannot get more in the effect that you have in the cause