Unleashing Your Faith Presuppositions 2 Discussing Truth and Christian Convictions

Unleashing Your Faith Set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess, yet do it with courtesy and respect… 1 Pet 3:15 Ambassador Model Credo Know Your Audience Proof, Defense, Offense TacticsPresuppositions

Unleashing Your Faith Ambassador Model Credo Know Your Audience Proof, Defense, Offense TacticsPresuppositions APOLOGETICS has a questionable reputation among non- aficionados. By definition, apologists defend the faith. They defeat false ideas. They destroy speculations raised up against the knowledge of God. Those sound like fightin’ words to many people. - Gregory Koukl Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions

The atheist who denies God’s existence The agnostic who doesn’t know what he believes The religionist who follows man-made traditions The elitist, who refuses to hear the voice of God The multitudes, who ignore God’s voice The believer who needs to be encouraged and supported by the voice of God. Our “Target Audience”

ARGUMENT 1. an oral disagreement; verbal opposition; contention; altercation: a violent argument. 2. a discussion involving differing points of view; debate: They were deeply involved in an argument about inflation. 3. a process of reasoning; series of reasons: I couldn't follow his argument. 4. a statement, reason, or fact for or against a point: This is a strong argument in favor of her theory. 5. an address or composition intended to convince or persuade - persuasive discourse

Arguments for the truth of the Christian faith (vindication / proof / positive apologetics) Aim – to show that Christianity is reasonable and rational. Using philosophical arguments and evidence from science, archaeology and history to show that the Christian faith has greater power than any alternative belief system to explain and interpret the world we live in. 1

Arguments refuting accusations made against the Christian faith (defence / negative apologetics) Aim – to show that Christianity is not unreasonable / irrational. Removing objections that are made against Christianity, for example claims of contradictions in the Bible, alternative interpretations of historical and scientific evidence and misconceptions about Christian belief. 2

Refutation of opposing beliefs (offense) Aim – to show that non-Christian belief systems are unreasonable / irrational Focuses not on specific attacks against Christianity but on undermining the foundations of other belief systems. 3

Unleashing Your Faith – ATTITUDE LET YOUR SPEECH ALWAYS BE WITH GRACE, SEASONED, AS IT WERE, WITH SALT, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW HOW YOU SHOULD RESPOND TO EACH PERSON. (COLOSSIANS 4:6) — Paul, the apostle

When you got up this morning and decided to come to worship at GSPC, what did you assume about your day?

Defending Your Faith Set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess, yet do it with courtesy and respect… 1 Pet 3:15-16 Ambassador Model Credo Know Your Audience Proof, Defense, Offense TacticsPresuppositions

A Person’s System of Beliefs

It’s Raining OutsideCreationism Belief in Miracles Trusting in Jesus

A Person’s System of Beliefs It’s Raining OutsideAbortion is ok Miracles are impossible There is no God

Many and BIG differences

Few but still a BIG Difference

The Myth of Neutrality Is it possible to set aside your worldview?

The Myth of Neutrality Romans 8:5-7 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. indeed, it cannot

The Myth of Neutrality The Bible portrays two possible states of mind: According to the Spirit According to the flesh

The Myth of Neutrality Jesus rose from the dead. That authenticates Him!That’s impossible!Strange things can happen!So what…

What is the most important question in creation? Is there or is there not a God?

Panentheism Panentheism - “pan”, meaning all, “en”, meaning in, and “theism”, meaning God. Panentheism considers God and the world to be inter-related with the world being in God and God being in the world. Panentheism offers an alternative to both traditional theism and pantheism. Panentheism seeks to avoid either isolating God from the world, or identifying God with the world as pantheism does.

The Myth of Neutrality Romans 1:18-23 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Today’s Influencing Factors Changed Culture - Christendom is dead - post modernism - sexual revolution o destruction of marriage o ordination of homosexuals - media influence - Sunday competition - pluralism - relativistic ethics ‘Promised Pluralism’ Hospitality vs. Reverance - Jesus is not necessarily the only way Changed Church

The Myth of Neutrality Your “AUDIENCE” is not a blank slate! I enjoy my sensuous lifestyle. I am unbiased Science is the ultimate judge. Abortion is about a woman’s choice. My priest was mean to me. Religion is for wimps. SIN

The Myth of Neutrality Autonomous Reasoning … and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." … and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you autonomous." John 8:32

The Myth of Neutrality Autonomous Reasoning I’ll be the judge of that! Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

The Myth of Neutrality Autonomous Reasoning I’ll be the judge of that!

The Myth of Neutrality It is possible to set aside your worldview?

Defending Your Faith Set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess, yet do it with courtesy and respect… 1 Pet 3:15-16 Ambassador Model Credo Know Your Audience Proof, Defense, Offense TacticsPresuppositions

Unleashing Your Faith NEXT WEEK 21 st Century Ambassador Discussing Truth and Christian Convictions