1. Grace Life Community Church Apologetics Conference 2014

3. Where are we Going? Where are we now : A look at who we are and how we think... AND WHY?!? Where are we now : A look at who we are and how we think... AND WHY?!? The Big Questions The Big Questions – Does God exist? – What about Neo-Darwinian Evolution? – Are there errors in the Bible? – Why is Christianity exclusive – why are we the only ones who are right? – Theodicy – if God is Good and Omnipotent, why do we suffer? SPEAK : A better method for apologetics- or, How to do apologetics without being sorry. SPEAK : A better method for apologetics- or, How to do apologetics without being sorry. Q&A Q&A

4. Review Books and resources mentioned: Books and resources mentioned: Francis Schaeffer Francis Schaeffer How Should We Then Live* How Should We Then Live* Escape from Reason Escape from Reason Books recommended: Books recommended: D.A. Carson D.A. Carson The Gagging of God* The Gagging of God* Will Durant Will Durant The Story of Philosophy° The Story of Philosophy° Neil Postman Neil Postman Amusing Ourselves to Death° Amusing Ourselves to Death° James Sire James Sire The Universe Next Door The Universe Next Door

5. It was shown... It breaks down Michael Behe* Michael Behe* Darwin’s Black Box Darwin’s Black Box Stephen Meyer* Stephen Meyer* Darwin’s Doubt Darwin’s Doubt Ray Comfort Ray Comfort Introduction to 150 th Anniversary of Origin Of Species Introduction to 150 th Anniversary of Origin Of Species Dissent From Darwinism List Dissent From Darwinism List

6. SOME HELP Strobel Strobel Case for Christ Case for Christ Norman Geisler Norman Geisler From God to Us From God to Us BE CAREFUL: BART EHRMAN BE CAREFUL: BART EHRMAN

7. SOME HELP Strobel Strobel Case for Christ Case for Christ Case for the Real Jesus Case for the Real Jesus Habermas Habermas Case for the Resurrection Case for the Resurrection

8. Some helps D.A. Carson D.A. Carson How Long O’Lord? How Long O’Lord? Lee Strobel Lee Strobel The Case for Faith The Case for Faith John Macarthur John Macarthur Safe in the Arms of God Safe in the Arms of God BE CAREFUL: OPEN THEISM BE CAREFUL: OPEN THEISM Clark Pinnock Clark Pinnock John Sanders John Sanders Greg Boyd Greg Boyd

9. Answering Biblical Questions Apologetically Without Being Sorry 1 Peter 3:15

10. Why are we doing this? 1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:15 GIVE AN ANSWER GIVE AN ANSWER 2 Corinthians 5:11ff 2 Corinthians 5:11ff WE BELIEVE WE BELIEVE Mark 12:28-34 Mark 12:28-34 LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE

11. 15. but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; -Peter 3:15 NAU

12. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 COR. 5:11-15)

13. 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)

14. Why are we doing this? In 1 Peter 3:15 In 1 Peter 3:15 Apologia Apologia Means to give a defence Means to give a defence Used in the phrase, “Defence of the Gospel” Used in the phrase, “Defence of the Gospel” Phil. 1:7 Phil. 1:7 Phil. 1:16 Phil. 1:16

15. 15. but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; -Peter 3:15 NAU

21. How do we do this? S.P.E.A.K. S.P.E.A.K. S tart real Conversation S tart real Conversation P ay attention P ay attention E valuate their words E valuate their words A sk questions A sk questions K indly respond and guide K indly respond and guide Write if possible Write if possible I write stuff down while they speak, if I can I write stuff down while they speak, if I can Look for “hiccup” Look for “hiccup”

22. LET’S HAVE DINNER

23. IGOR

24. “SPEAK” Apologetics Start with their questions Start with their questions Pay attention to their answers Pay attention to their answers Evaluate their words Evaluate their words Ask questions about what they said Ask questions about what they said Kindly respond and guide back through their thoughts and words Kindly respond and guide back through their thoughts and words Who is in focus here? Who is in focus here?

25. Start with their Questions 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?”

26. Pay attention to their Answers Good time to write down statements Good time to write down statements This can freak some out, but once you explain that you want to listen well, it’s cool. This can freak some out, but once you explain that you want to listen well, it’s cool. You can also keep your latter questions focused by pointing at things they actually said. You can also keep your latter questions focused by 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 words Focus on buzz words Do not go “A.D.D.” on them – stick to THIS discussion Do not go “A.D.D.” on them – stick to THIS discussion Igor – “A million errors in the Bible?!?” Igor – “A million errors in the Bible?!?”

27. Evaluate their Words Pick out buzz words Pick out buzz words Organize thoughts Organize thoughts Ask for clarification Ask for clarification Igor – “What do you mean by ‘errors’? Based on what?” Igor – “What do you mean by ‘errors’? Based on what?”

28. Ask Questions about what they Said Ask for more clarification Ask for more clarification Test with hypotheticals Test with hypotheticals Offer conclusions/comparisons Offer conclusions/comparisons Igor – “Can we talk about the top 50?” Igor – “Can we talk about the top 50?”

29. Kindly respond and guide them through their thoughts and words Put your evaluations in order Put your evaluations in order Connect things they said Connect things they said Propose questions that highlight the logical fallacies Propose questions that highlight the logical fallacies Igor – “So, you don’t know the book or the author or 1 of the ‘errors’? Why do you believe that, then?” Igor – “So, you don’t know the book or the author or 1 of the ‘errors’? Why do you believe that, then?”

30. Points of Concern No one saved in a debate No one saved in a debate The point is to listen The point is to listen Look for a “hiccup” Look for a “hiccup” Show respect Show respect And… And… The point is to Listen! The point is to Listen!

31. Sometimes... there’s a gap There are things that might be an invisible wall between you and another – causing a distance between you. Being aware of these potential issues is important. There are things that might be an invisible wall between you and another – causing a distance between you. Being aware of these potential issues is important.

32. Terms of Distance Syllogism Syllogism Exegetical Fallacies Exegetical Fallacies Cultural Influence Cultural Influence Stereotyping Stereotyping Main/Predicate bait and switch Main/Predicate bait and switch Incorrect Hermeneutical Logic Incorrect Hermeneutical Logic Categorical Switch of Truth/Culture Categorical Switch of Truth/Culture Much like a practical syllogism – a blanket assumption Much like a practical syllogism – a blanket assumption

33. Terms of Distance Caricatures Caricatures Micro-Argumentation Micro-Argumentation Emotional Rejection/Distrust Emotional Rejection/Distrust Wrong Definition Wrong Definition Disproportionate Stereotyping Disproportionate Stereotyping An overemphasis on secondary Doctrine as Primary An overemphasis on secondary Doctrine as Primary Negative experience that is real Negative experience that is real Wrong Definition Wrong Definition

34. Terms of Distance Doctrinal Conclusions Doctrinal Conclusions Satanic Influence Satanic Influence Genuine thoughtful doctrinal view, opposing biblical Christianity Genuine thoughtful doctrinal view, opposing biblical Christianity Spiritual warfare is real Spiritual warfare is real

35. Two Big categories Doctrinal Issues Doctrinal Issues Personal Issues Personal Issues Which is it? Which is it?

36. The Big Question WHAT HAPPENED?

37. You need to slow it down and realize... God doesn’t need you to do this... He is letting you in on what He is doing God doesn’t need you to do this... He is letting you in on what He is doing This may take a long time This may take a long time It needs to be organic, natural It needs to be organic, natural It needs to be a clear expression of love – NOT MAKING A SALE It needs to be a clear expression of love – NOT MAKING A SALE It needs to be biblical It needs to be biblical

38. A Walk Back Home : A Progression of Degree to gain 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?

39. HOW ABOUT A LITTLE PRACTICE?

40. A RECOMMENDATION

41. Stay in touch rstansberry@carychristianschool.org rstansberry@carychristianschool.org rstansberry@carychristianschool.org www.anunworthyservant.com www.anunworthyservant.com www.anunworthyservant.com Twitter: @zoeesteatmis Twitter: @zoeesteatmis Facebook Facebook

42. Grace Life Community Church Apologetics Conference 2014