Basic Logic

Is proving that there is a creator really as simple as basic logic? Sure -

See if you can follow this basic logic:
Where did the building you are around come from? Who made it? Would it be fair to say a person who creates buildings?
Who made a watch (or cell phone for those who use the cell phone to keep time)? How about a watch-maker (or cell phone maker)? Did the building or your shirt, watch (or cell phone) come from nothing? Absolutely not!
So, who made creation? It follows that if there is a watch, there is a watch maker, if there is a building, there is someone who made the building, if there is creation, there is a creator. A logical step… a very basic principle in logic.

So, without using the Bible, I just proved to you that there is a creator using basic logic. However, Paul used this same argument in Romans 1:18-20: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse”. Humanity is without excuse before God because God’s creation testifies there is a creator.

Defining Apologetics

So, let’s start with some vocabulary and background:

Apologetics:

-Merriam-Webster dictionary defines this as “1 : systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine) 2 : a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity.”

Apologetics is not an “apology” for Christianity, but comes from the Greek word apologia (απολογία), which is defined as “speaking in defense”. As early as Paul, Christianity had apologists (those who defend Christianity). Simply looks at Paul’s defense during his trial before Festus and Agrippa (Acts 26:1-2 is the location where the word apologetics/defense is used).

Could we stand before a court system and articulate why we stand on Christ as truth as Paul did?

In Philippians 1:7, we see Paul “defending the Gospel”, and in the passage I’ve used in previous posts (I Peter 3:15), we see where believers are commanded to give a defense/apology of the Gospel. Again, this is not a command to the “leaders of the church”, this is a command to believers – all believers. Finally, a location where the lack of defense is used is in Romans 1:20, where Paul states that unbelievers do not have a defense/apology for rejecting the revelation of God because creation itself testifies that there is a creator (see a post coming soon titled basic logic for more details on this argument). About 200 years after Paul, a well known apologists came onto the field – Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus . He argued that Christianity is the “true religion” as well as establishing what is referred to as the Latin Church. Other Christian apologists have been: Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, and C.S. Lewis. Current apologists include Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel.
So, a take home point for the definition of apology: the English language has changed our use of the word apology – it no longer means defending a position, but it means admitting guilt and “apologizing” for the wrong one has done.

Truth:

In the postmodern culture that we live in today, it is “difficult” for people to agree on what truth is, especially in the realm of belief. (Postmodern basically means you define truth for yourself, and everyone can have their own truth.) So, let me ask you:

“If I believe that this pencil in my hand can save me, and I believe it whole heartedly, will this pencil save me?”

What do you think? How would you respond to someone who said that? Well, I’ve heard people on the street tell me that if I believe it, then the pencil will save me. Now, tell me, what is doing the “saving” here? Is it the pencil? Does the pencil really have any ability to save me? Not at all – it’s a piece of wood with lead inside and an eraser on the back. It has no power. What else is there that could save someone in this example? The only other thing I see here is “belief”. As long as I believe it, it will come true. Really? Belief does not change truth. So, I ask a follow up question to the postmodern people I speak with: What if my belief involves your future? I’ve not yet had an even remotely solid answer to that question.

You see, truth is not based on beliefs. Truth is truth and does not change its definition based on current fashions or ideologies. As Hank Hanegraff writes, “truth is true even if everyone denies it, and a lie is a lie even if everyone affirms it” (pg 133, The Complete Bible Answer Book).

We ask the same question as Pontius Pilate did in John 18:38: What is truth? The truth is, Christ is Truth (John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”)

Let me end this section by referencing Os Guinness’ book Time for Truth: Christianity is not true because it works (which is called pragmatism); nor is Christianity true because of subjectivism (it feels right), and it is not true because we believe it is true (called relativism). Christianity is true because Christ is the cornerstone. Christianity is true because Christianity is based on the only one who is Himself Truth.

(As an aside – the concept that belief changes truth is NOT Biblical, and the Word-Faith movement is not Biblical because it puts the power in our “belief”, not in the Creator. We are to submit to Truth, not ask Truth to submit to us.)

My motivation…

It is important to discuss what my motivation is before I go through more posts. One of my top reasons for writing about how to defend Christianity is simply so we can be prepared to do as the Bible prompts us to do, through written command (I Peter 3:15-16 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ”) and through example of Paul and others. It is my prayer that God will use this information to bring Him glory, as well as to open doors to use this information to help bring people to their knees in submission to Christ.

Perhaps quoting some of my favorite authors will help. In the introduction of Evidence for Christianity by Josh McDowell, Josh states “These notes, used with a caring attitude, can motivate a person to consider Jesus Christ honestly and direct him or her back to the central and primary issue – the gospel, or good news…” As Hank Hanegraaff eloquently writes in his book The Complete Bible Answer Book, “First, apologetics is the defense of the faith ‘once for all entrusted to the saints’ (Jude 3). … Furthermore, apologetics is pre-evangelism. … Finally, apologetics is post-evangelism. In the swirling waves of doubt and despair that often threaten to submerge our faith, it is crucial to be familiar with the pillars or posts on which our faith is founded – namely, that God created the universe; that Jesus Christ demonstrated he is God through the immutable fact of his resurrection; and that the Bible is demonstrably divine rather than human in origin.”

I am not here to suggest Christians always have to speak “intelligently”, nor am I here to suggest that learning how to defend the faith is the most important aspect of the Christian life. Indeed, we could have as much head knowledge as we could contain, but if we are not in relationship with Christ, then we don’t have what we truly need.

As Christians, we need to be living how Christ commanded. One of those ways we should be living is through study, and one of the studies we should be doing is how to defend Christ. So, I will claim that every Christian has the responsibility to know how to defend Christianity.

All of that to say, I simply want to help equip the saints to be faithful to the call we have – and humbly ask that Christ will equip me more throughout this process as well.

Christianity? Intelligent? Really?

If I were to approach you and ask: “Tell me, why do you believe in Christ? Why are you a Christian? Is it the intelligent thing to do?” What would you tell me? How would you respond? Think about it – don’t just pass this by. Truly spend some time and think about how YOU would respond to this question.

Would your response be something along the lines of: “Well, I have seen Christ change my life!” True – I’ve seen Him change my life, but what about the people who believe Buddha has changed their lives?

How about this one: “It’s how I was raised.” Or, “I believe it because I want to earn points with God.” What is YOUR honest response?

One of the things I do in my spare time is evangelism. I love it, and the Lord uses it to teach me a ton. Many Christians I speak to say, “Well, Christianity is just having blind faith.” Is that true? If it is, is that what I want to follow? Not at all! What about 1 Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”.  Does this point to “blind faith”?

Have you heard this one? “You believe what you want to believe, and I will believe what I want to believe, and we will all get to the place we want to go.” In otherwords, what is the point of Christ? Along those lines, I have people who don’t defend Christ, but they sure defend Christ’s teaching about “LOVE” …

Do you have an answer to the questions above?

So, one of my desires to do is start a facebook/blog about how to defend Christianity intelligently, as well as encourage Christians to stand on God’s word – all of it – for truth.  I can’t promise I’ll post something daily –but I do want to start posting some of these things – I do want to start equipping Christians. So, for those who are Christians, please pray that God gives me wisdom and direction, that He speaks through me and quiets my own heart, and that He goes before me. Please pray that God will grant me humility and allow me to speak with simplicity. Please pray for protection.

As I go through this process, please feel free to post responses, or questions. Feel free to add to the “discussion” – at least what I hope will be a discussion.