Apologetics in Christianity isn’t about saying, “I’m sorry.” It is a whole field of study that seeks to answer the questions men may ask about faith and answer the accusations that men may make about what we believe. It seeks to make believers out of doubters through reasonable explanation.
There is much, of course, that the world might reasonably doubt. After all, there is a lot of miracle involved in Christianity; a lot of faith required for things that cannot be seen, touched, or otherwise sensed; and a lot commands that call for us to behave in ways that the world would consider foolish or even crazy. Apologetics recognizes that a certain skepticism is a good and healthy thing, because there is much that claims to be religion, which is nothing but scam or fantasy.
Despite the assumptions that many make, Christianity does not rely on “blind faith”. Unlike pagan religions, myths, and legends, which all begin something like, “Long ago in a land far away,” Christianity has its roots planted firmly in verifiable foundations: known historical events, known timelines, known historical figures, known geography, perfect prophetic fulfillment, archaeology, multiple witnesses, and logic. Such foundations, if the listener is open to a fair evaluation, will lead naturally to an informed (not a blind) faith.
The things that the Bible says, the things that Christians teach, the promises, the warnings, and the requirements that are part of Christianity are real. They are a part of a reality that we may not be able to see, but this doesn’t mean that they aren’t real. They are just as real as the physical reality that we deal with every day, with laws and consequences that are just as established and reliable as any we know of in this world. God is real; the Bible is His word; you will live somewhere forever; it makes a difference how you live.
Over the next few posts I’d like to point out a few of these, to encourage my believing readers and appeal to my unbelieving ones. This stuff is real!
Why would God need Apologists? Can’t He, thru the Spirit, just explain for Himself as the scriptures say He will?
Presenting evidence for God and truth is perfectly appropriate. 1Pet. 3:15 “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;” Paul even taught, 2Cor. 10:4 “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,”
By the way, isn’t Faith a gift that has to be given by God anyway? We both know apologetics isn’t for the unsaved, but for the believers to give them reasons to continue believing.
Faith is available to anyone, who’ll listen to God’s word — Rom. 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” It is not bestowed and some and withheld from others.
Might want to reread ephesians 2:8
Eph. 2:8 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that (salvation) not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” The context of v. 8 makes it clear that salvation is the gift of God. Some versions (e.g., the NASB) footnote “that” to clarify that it refers to “salvation” in the verse. God does not arbitrarily choose to give some faith and leave others in doubt. Such a view contradicts John 3:16 in which we are told that God loved the world and gave His Son to die for “whosoever believes” — not to whomsoever God decides to grant faith. Faith is a human choice, not a divine choice.
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Definitely not Calvinist. Good for you. Thx