Ambassador for God

1006 - what is apologetics

2008-05-26T19:46:00.004-05:00

A COMPARISON OF EVANGELISM AND APOLOGETICS

Claims are more powerful when they’re backed up by solid evidence. It’s easy for a vacuum salesman to say his product is the best but the claim is more convincing when he shows it sucking up coffee grounds from your carpet. If evangelism is telling others about the forgiveness that comes from trusting in Jesus, then apologetics is showing them that this message is true. There are numerous ways to do this. The Bible records several apologetics that God uses to demonstrate His message is true and that His messengers can be trusted.

When Moses worried no one would believe the Lord had appeared to him, God gave him ability to perform miraculous signs so people would know he was telling the truth (Exod. 4:1-9). Jesus said the miracles His Father gave Him to do testify that He was sent by God (John 5:36, Matt. 9:6, Acts 2:22). Christians today can’t perform supernatural acts such as these, but we can show people evidence these amazing things really happened. For example, Paul made the point that Jesus’ resurrection was a well attested fact, being witnessed by over 500 people; most of whom were still alive at the time he wrote and could verify its truthfulness (1 Cor. 15:3-6).

God describes fulfilled prophecy as proof that His Word is authentic. We know He is the only true God because only He has given us detailed information about events before they happen. In Isaiah 41:21-29 He taunts the false idols and mocks their inability to speak or know the future. As with miracles, this power isn’t ours to wield, but we can show people all the specific prophecies in the Bible that have already come to pass, many of which foretold the life and death of Jesus.

Another apologetic method is to remind people that the beautiful world we live in points to a Creator (Rom. 1:18-20, Ps. 19:3). The intricate design built into every level of our universe, from encoded DNA to the clockwork precision of the planets, speaks volumes about the mighty power of God. A related truth is that people of all cultures intuitively know the difference between good and evil (Rom. 2:14-16). There may be variations in laws and customs but there is universal agreement when someone is mistreated, that they know what’s been done to them is wrong. We all know the right thing to do internally but we’re experts at finding reasons not to hold ourselves to the same standard.

The Bible itself is an apologetic for what it claims to be: God’s supernatural revelation to mankind. There is nothing else like it. Written over a period of 1,500 years by 40 people from different cultures, lifestyles, and personalities and yet it presents a unified consistent message; God is here and He wants you to trust Him. And we know it hasn’t been adjusted over the years to fit together because legions of scholars have analyzed this and concluded that the Bible we have today is historically reliable. It has consistently proven itself trustworthy time and time again through archeology and historical corroboration from people of other religions. The reason all the sixty-six books in the Bible fit together so well is because ultimately there is One author who directed it all.

One of the most effective apologetics is the Christian life, someone who has been transformed from a slave of selfishness and greed to a radiant new creature of love and concern for others. Witnessing such a changed life provides confirmation that our message is genuine. This apologetic can’t be underestimated. Nothing destroys credibility more quickly than a failed product, whether it’s an exploding vacuum or a hypocritical Christian. God repeatedly tells us to live in love, peace, unity, and respect to show the world His message of salvation and freedom from sin is true (Matt. 5:13-16, John 17:21, 1 Pet. 2:12, 3:1-2).

As powerful as it is, apologetics can never take the place of evangelism. People need to hear how they can have peace with God by trusting in Jesus because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). The use of apologetics is simply a way we can confirm this message is true. When you share Jesus with people, listen carefully to their concerns so you’ll know what type of apologetic might be helpful to them. Remember that this isn’t a brain competition and resist the temptation to show off how much you know. God loves them and wants them to know the truth, to repent, and to believe in Him (1 Tim. 2:4). We are to share His message with gentleness and respect (1 Pet. 3:15-16).

do all religions pray to the same God?

2007-11-01T20:48:00.000-05:00

“All religions pray to the same God”

President Bush recently made this statement again. I don’t know our president personally but I’ve heard he’s a born again Christian. I’m not trying to dissect his faith here and drill down to exactly what he believes. But an idea like this, especially coming from our nation’s leader, needs to be tossed around a bit. A popular notion behind comments like this is that all religions are pretty much the same. Pragmatists point out that all religions accomplish the same thing; greater morality and more peaceful societies.

There are striking similarities between religions; this no one can deny. For example, the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551-479 BC) said “Never do to others what you would not like them to do to you” (Analects of Confucius 25.23; cf. 12:2). Sound familiar? It should. Jesus said the same thing 500 years later in Matthew 7:12; “In everything do to others what you would have them do to you”. This powerful moral compass can be found in many cultures throughout history.

Now we need to put our detective caps on. Like a good CSI, we need to start with our known facts and then construct a theory that best explains them. Only by understanding the overall context from which these facts come can we truly make sense of them. At first many theories are considered, but as more details come to light, we can pin down what really happened. For instance, if we encounter a scene that includes a dead body holding a pistol, our theories would include #1 suicide and #2 murder made to look like a suicide. It would take more analysis to determine the real story.

When we do this with the fact that all religions have similar moral systems, there are two common theories people have. The first one is very popular right now because it’s politically correct and attempts to keep the peace in our religiously charged world. This theory is that all religions stem from the same “higher power”. All the great religious leaders such as Moses, Buddha, Confucius, Jesus, and Mohammed were just different manifestations of the same divine essence. All of them were just encouraging us to be more loving and compassionate. The usual conclusion of this theory is that a sincere follower of any of these religions will make peace with what many call “God”.

This theory is called pluralism, relativism, or being inclusive; three terms that each describe a different attribute of the same core idea; that all religions lead to the same place. Some who believe this vigorously defend their view. They say the only absolute truth is that there is no absolute truth. But wait a second. Is it “appropriate” for them to claim that their view, which is that there is no absolute truth, is absolutely true to the exclusion of other views?

A little detour is necessary here. Just because someone thinks that what they believe is true, and what someone else believes is false, this doesn’t make them an intolerant jerk. Tolerance doesn’t mean you agree about everything. The very idea of it presupposes a difference that needs to be “tolerated”. Instead tolerance refers to the attitude you have when discussing your different opinions; that you do it in a kind and respectful way. You can believe the exact opposite of someone else and yet still be tolerant as you lovingly share with them why you believe what you do and why you think their belief is wrong. Being arrogant or demeaning about it; now that’s what is ugly.

Again, we’re evaluating theories that would explain why different religions all across the world have similar moral underpinnings. In the melting pot we live in, this first theory is very convenient and practical. But is it correct? Consider another theory, the Christian worldview.

The Christian Worldview

The Bible says humans were created in the image of God, meaning that we are, more than any other part of creation, similar to our Creator. Yes, there are differences; we are finite, He is infinite. We are material, He is Spirit. He is the Creator and we are the created. But still, within every human being lies the fingerprint of God; i.e. the morality He’s placed within us. Christianity teaches that the reason we all come to the same moral conclusions is because these things are written on our hearts. People know what is right or wrong instinctively because God has given us all a conscience.

All societies then establish similar moral systems, codes, and guidelines to describe, not what we actually do, but what we all know people SHOULD do. We know what is right and wrong in spite of the fact we don’t really do it. We know it not because of how we actually treat others but because we know how we want others to treat us. If anyone argues that there is no such thing as right or wrong, then that very evening break into his home and steal his most prized possessions. At once he will disprove his argument by declaring your act of burglary unkind and unfair! We can know what is right and wrong simply by observing how we react instinctively to what people do to us.

This takes us right to the heart of Christianity. We all know what were supposed to do because we know how we want others to treat us. But no one performs consistently at this ideal standard. We’re all hypocrites! Why do we fail? God did not make us this way at all. The Bible says we’ve all individually chosen to go astray from the state of perfection He created us in. Nobody always does what they know they should. We live a double standard. We can easily justify why we should cut out in front of someone; I’m late for my kids’ soccer game! But when someone else cuts us off, watch out!

Don’t despair, there is good news! It’s the best possible news you could ever get; God still loves you. Even after we turned on Him and made Him our enemy, He went and provided a way for us to be forgiven. That is our only hope. The Bible says we can’t fix our predicament. We can’t make peace with God but He has made peace with us! He sent His Son Jesus Christ to earth to live the perfect life in our place and then pay for our mistakes by dying on the cross. Our only responsibility is to receive this free gift by putting our faith in Jesus alone.

All religions have the same moral structure because of the common moral compass God has put within all of us. But moral codes are not the defining purpose of religion; they are just a by-product. The purpose of religion is to restore a broken relationship with our Creator. Many religions have been developed to try and do this but they all fail because the burden is put upon our own efforts to make things right again.

When you stop trusting in your own ability to please God by being good, admit your failures, and trust Jesus’ goodness instead of yours, then the Bible says your sins are wiped clean and you’re restored back to a right relationship with God. All other religions are attempts to earn forgiveness by keeping rules and laws, trying to earn His favor, a pursuit Jesus said is impossible. No other religion offers this free mercy; unmerited grace with no strings attached. That is how Christianity is truly unique. I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. – John 14:6

George W. may be Master in Chief but he is not the theologian in chief! His eternal destiny is between him and His creator. I am not the judge of His soul. The Bible says if he has placed his faith in Jesus alone then all of his sins are forgiven. What I can say, and I do based on the authority of the Word of God, is that he was wrong when he said “all religions pray to the same God”. But don’t take my word for it, here’s what God says.

Romans

For when Gentiles (people who aren’t Jewish) who do not have the Law (commandments God gave to Moses) do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them. – Romans 2:14-15, comments mine

That which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful.

Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. – some verses from Romans 1:19-2:2

Through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by faith. For we maintain that a man is justified (forgiven) by faith apart from works of the Law. – some verses from Romans 3:20-28, comments mine

why I gave up on Christian religion

2007-10-08T23:27:00.001-05:00

Why I gave up on Christian religion

I tried to be good. Love your neighbor as yourself. Treat others the way you want to be treated. And the don’ts: Don’t lie. Don’t be jealous. Don’t cheat. Don’t lust. Don’t be prideful. Don’t hate. Don’t be selfish.

It felt great to be on the good side, at first. I complained about those “evil” people and lamented “this world’s going to hell in a handbasket!” It didn’t take long before the hypocrisy of it all washed over me.

The very things I judged in others I still saw in myself. I knew what I was supposed to do; that wasn’t the problem. I just couldn’t do it. I was trying to swim upstream, cut against the grain. Why strive against who I really am? I couldn’t live the lie any longer. So I gave up on the Christian religion.

Some time later I found out what I experienced was just the first part of Christianity. I was amazed to find out what happened to me was exactly how it’s SUPPOSED to work. All the do’s and don’ts in the Bible, the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, they’re purpose is to show us exactly what good looks like. They’re a measuring rod by which we can compare ourselves to perfection.

It doesn’t take long trying to live up to this ideal standard before you realize you can’t, that you just don’t measure up. Nobody can! I couldn’t stand the guilt and frustration from constantly failing. Nothing I did was ever good enough. That’s why I dropped Christian religion like a bad habit. But I missed something.

I overlooked the second part of Christianity. The first part, the do’s and don’ts, they showed me how imperfect I was. But instead of running away from the guilt, I should have followed where it was leading me. My failure in keeping the “do’s” and “don’ts” was pointing me to God’s forgiveness. The rules in the Bible are impossible to follow by design, to drive us to the point where we turn to God and cry out…..

“I CAN’T DO THIS! I FAILED! I DON’T MEASURE UP! PLEASE HAVE MERCY!”

Is this first part of Christianity painful? Yes. Is it harsh? It may feel like it. But consider if you had cancer. First the doctor must tell you the bad news. Then you have to come to grips and accept it before you’re willing to start treatment. It’s not fun to learn you have cancer but necessary in order to fix it.

God didn’t give us this cancer of evil; we chose it ourselves. And this evil isn’t just out there somewhere in “others”. It’s inside your heart and needs to be rooted out. We can’t do it ourselves, only God can remove it from us. But before we’ll ask Him for help we first have to realize we’re hopelessly lost if left on our own.

Thankfully God isn’t in the damning business. We do that ourselves by rejecting His help. He’s in the rescuing business. This is the beautiful second part of Christianity, the good news of the Gospel that God did it all for us. Because He loves you, He came to earth and lived the perfect life for you, as though he took your place. Then He took your sins on His body, taking the punishment for them by dying on the cross.

So how does this happen, what do we need to do to be rescued? We can’t earn it; Christianity’s first step showed us that’s impossible! This forgiveness is a free gift. It’s received by putting your faith in Jesus alone instead of trusting your own efforts to please God. Then your life of moral failure is covered by His blood and His righteous life is transferred to your account. He trades you His healthy body for your cancerous one! The pressure of being perfect is gone because He did it for you.

Does this mean a Christian doesn’t have to worry about all those rules? It’s true, Christians are free from all rules and laws and we don’t have to “worry” about them anymore. A Christian is simply someone who’s been forgiven of all sin past, present, and future by accepting Jesus as their Savior. God loves you unconditionally. You don’t have to earn His acceptance.

The Bible says an amazing thing happens when you first trust Jesus as your Savior. At that moment the Holy Spirit enters your heart and begins producing a fruitful life. This is called the new birth and it changes you from the inside out. So a Christian’s life isn’t a matter of obeying rules to appease an angry God; it’s the God of love living IN and THROUGH you. All of a sudden you love your neighbor because you want to, not because you have to.

Sometimes that second step takes awhile. It did for me. What’s stopping you from taking the next step?

From the Bible

For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? - from Romans 7:15-24

Through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. I would not have come to know sin except through the Law. Scripture has shut up everyone under sin. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ. - from Galatians 3:22-24, Romans 3:20-23, and 7:7

For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. He gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. If righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly. - from Galatians 1:4, 2:21, Romans 5:6-8, and 8:3

Man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus. By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. Man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. To the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. We’re justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. - from Galatians 2:16, Romans 3:24-28, 4:5, 5:1, and 6:23

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. You are not under law but under grace. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. - from Galatians 3:25, Romans 6:14, and 8:2

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." - from Galatians 2:20, 5:13-14, and Romans 6:6

what if they don't believe the Bible is real?

2007-09-30T21:02:00.000-05:00

Consider a hunter, lost in the woods, who encounters an angry grizzly bear. Should he cast away his rifle because the bear believes it to be a funny looking stick? Absolutely NOT! Regardless of what the bear believes, the rifle has incredible power. So tell people what the Bible says even if they don't believe it's of God. The gospel, a two edged sword which cuts to the innermost soul, is the power of God which brings salvation to everyone who believes.

Romans 1:16-17 - I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

why do I believe the Bible is from God?

2007-09-30T20:44:00.000-05:00

It’s a reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. The authors report supernatural events that took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies and claim that their writing was divine rather than human in origin. - Dr. Voddie Baucham

2 Peter 1: 16-21 - We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:1-4 - Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

1 Corinthians 15:2-6, 14-20a - By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead

Ambassador

2007-09-30T08:43:00.000-05:00

I am an ambassador for a very important person; a King. My job is to speak on behalf of the King, acting as His representative to others. I mostly try to reach those who are at war with the King. Using peaceful peaceful negotiations, my goal is reconciliation.

See, everyone has rebelled from the King by going their own selfish way. The Good News is that the King does not desire conflict but peace, not judgment but forgiveness. He is offering a full pardon to anyone who will take it.

My responsibility is to tell you about this free gift and how to accept it. The way to recieve it is to simply put your faith in His Son who bore the punishment you deserved. When you do this the King turns you into a new person. It's up to you to either accept or reject this offer. Those that recieve it won't be judged but those who reject it have been judged already.

The next step is yours.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

John 3:16-20 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.