Sermon1stApril2012

Title:WhatisApologetics? AnIntroductiontoApologetics

Introduction <ReadActs2:2236>
ThisisPeterspeakingonthedayofPentecostonly52daysafterhehaddeniedJesus3 times!!WhathadhappenedthatchangedPeter'slifeforever?Peterhadwitnessedthe mostamazingmiracleinallofhistory.TheresurrectionandappearanceofJesus,thus provinghiminPeter'swordsbothLordandChrist.

ApologeticshasbeenaroundsincethebeginningofChristianity. FromthetimePeterspokeuntiltoday,Christianshavemademanyclaims:

ButforeveryclaimChristianitymakestherehasbeenacounterclaimorarejectionofthat claim. Forexample: TheChristianclaimsthatGodexists,thathecreatedtheuniverse,thatGodcreatedManin hisimage,thatGodisallpowerful,thatheseesandknowseverything,andistotallygood, just,holy,andloving theatheistclaimsGoddoesnotexist,theuniversecomeintobeingfromtotallynatural causes,lifecameintobeingfromnaturalcauses,whichthroughaprocesscalledevolution eventuallybecameman.AnditwasManthatinventedGod.

TheChristianclaimsthatthatGodispersonallyinvolvedinhiscreation. ThatGodisarelationalbeinganddesiresmantoknowhim,andinknowingGodmanwill

findpurposeandmeaninginlife. TheDiestontheotherhandclaimsthatGodmadetheuniverse,andsetthenaturalworldin orderthensatbackanddoesntinterveneintheaffairsofmanortheuniverse.

TheChristianClaimsthatJesusisbothFullyGodandFullyMan,andthatheclaimedthis deityforhimself,andthatmanisjustifiedormaderightbeforeGodonlythroughfaithin him,andthatheprovedthisbyrisingfromthedead. Allotherreligionsandworldviewswouldrejectthisclaim.SomewouldclaimJesuswasa goodmoralteacher,otherswouldseehimasaprophet,mostwouldtakeoffensethat JesuswastheonlywaytoGod,somewouldclaimhisresurrectionwasspiritualnot physical. Aswegoaboutourdailyroutineswewillcomeincontactwithpeoplewiththeirown worldview.Aworldviewsimplyput,issomeonesbasicbeliefsaboutthings.Familyvalues, education,cultureallcontributetoestablishingsomeonesworldview.Youcouldhavea ChristianWorldview,oranAtheistworldview,oranAgnosticworldview.Mostpeople probablyhaveaworldviewthatisperhapsamishmashofotherworldviews. IwasreadingafascinatingbookcalledReligionandYouth.Itlooksatsurveystakenby teenagersindifferentpartsoftheworldandanalysesthedata.Onecontributortothebook lookedatteenagersintheUnitedStates.HewritesWesuggestthatthedefactodominant religionamongcontemporaryteenagersintheUSAiswhatwecallMoralisticTherapeutic Deism.ThisreligionwhichemergedfromhundredsofinterviewswithUSteenagers, consistsofaGodwhocreatedandorderstheworld,watchingoverhumanlifeonearth. ThisGodwantspeopletobegood,nice,andfairtoeachother,butdoesnotneedtobe particularlyinvolvedintheirlives,exceptwhenheisneededtoresolveaproblem.Being happyandfeelinggoodaboutoneselfisthecentralgoalinlife.Whentheydie,good peoplewillgotoheaven. Ithinkhisfindingssayalot.DoweteachourkidsthatGodistheretohelpyouwhenyou haveaproblemorneedbutotherwisejustliveyourlifehowyouwantaimingalwaysforthe goalofbeinghappyandfeelinggoodaboutoneself?Isthiswhatthebibleteaches?I wouldsayNoitdoesnot!

1)SowhatisApologetics?
ApologeticsmaybesimplydefinedasthedefenseoftheChristianfaith. Apologeticsdealswiththequestionsbothbelieversandnonbelievershaveinregardsto theoriginoftheuniverse,theoriginoflife,theoriginofman,theexistenceofGod,who Jesusis,thebibleitsformation,authorityandtheology.
ThewordapologeticsderivesfromtheGreekwordapologia,whichmeanstogiveaverbal defense. Thewordappears17timesinnounorverbformintheNewTestament.

WestartedbyquotingPeterinActschapter2,letsnowturnto1stPeterchapter3verse 15b.ThisisthecatchverseforApologetics. Alwaysbepreparedtogiveananswertoeveryonewhoasksyoutogivethereasonfor thehopethatyouhave.Butdothiswithgentlenessandrespect,keepingaclear conscience,sothosewhospeakmaliciouslyagainstyourgoodbehaviourinChristmaybe ashamedoftheirslander. thewordansweristranslatedfromtheGreekwordapologia.IntheNewRevised StandardVersionitreadsAlwaysbereadytomakeyourdefensetoanyonewho demandsfromyouanaccountingforthehopethatisinyou. Nowthecontextof1stPeterisimportant.Inchapter1verse1wereadthathisletteris addressedtoGodselect,strangersintheworld,scatteredthroughoutPontus,Galatiaetc TherecipientsoftheletterwereascatteredChristianminority,livinginaworldthatwas indifferenttotheirfaith.Oftentheirfaithwasmisunderstood.Itcertainlywasntthedominant worldview. Iwouldsayinourworkplacesandschools,Christiansaredefinitelyintheminority.Ithink youwouldagreethattheChristianworldviewisnotthedominantworldviewatmostofour workplacesorschools. PeterisencouragingtheseChristiansastheysuffergriefinallkindsoftrials.(1:6) ItappearsthattheseChristiansarebeingmaliciouslyslandered(3:16)andinsulted.Andin somecasesevenbeaten(2:20)simplybecausetheyareChristians.

Peterencouragesthemtosubmittoeveryhumanauthority,toshowrespectto everyone(2:13)andtorepayevilwithblessingbecauseinreturntheywillbeblessed(3:9) HehighlightsChristssufferingsasanexamplesaying(2:23)Whentheyhurledtheirinsults athim,hedidnotretaliatewhenhesuffered,hemadenothreats.Instead,heentrusted himselftohimwhojudgesjustly. Soitisinthiscontextthatwereadchapter3verse15. Alwaysbepreparedtogiveananswer(ordefense)toeveryonewhoasksyoutogivethe reasonforthehopethatyouhave.Butdothiswithgentlenessandrespect,keepingaclear conscience,sothosewhospeakmaliciouslyagainstyourgoodbehaviourinChristmaybe ashamedoftheirslander. Peterissayingcontinuetodorighteveninthemidstofpersecutionandyoumighthavethe chancetogivethereasonforthehopeyouhave.Butalwaysspeakwithgentlenessand respect. Sowhatcanwetakefromtheseverses? Iwouldsayfirstofall,inregardstoApologeticsanddefendingourfaith,thecalltokeepour consciencesclearisparamount.Howmanytimesdowehearthephrasethechurchisfull ofhypocrites.NowyouandIknowthatthatissimplynottrue.MostpeopleIknowinthe churchareactuallyverysincereintheirfaith.Howevertheworldgetsthatperceptionfrom themedia.IfIsayTeleevangelist,whatisthefirstthingyouthinkof?IfIsaytoyouCatholic Priest,whatisthefirstthingyouthinkof?fIsayFundamentalist,whatisthefirstthingyou thinkof? WecanchangepeoplesperceptionofChristianityjustbybeinggenuineandbeing consistentandperhapsearntherighttogivethereasonforthehopewehave. ThesecondpointIthinkwecantakefromtheseversesisPeterencouragesthemto alwaysspeakwithgentlenessandrespect.IsometimescringewhenIhearChristians defendingtheirfaith.Theyseemtothinktheworddefendreallymeansattack!I'veheard allsortsofthingsovertheyears.Peopleattackingotherreligions,culturesandworldviews. Wearenotcalledtoattack,buttodefendandalwayswithgentlenessandrespect. Thethirdpointwecouldtakefromtheseversesisalwaysbeprepared. Imnotsureifyourelikemeornot.OfteninthepastwhenconversationsregardingGod,or thebiblehavecomeup,Ifindmyselfsometimescaughtoffguard.SoeitherItotallymiss

theopportunity,orImsoexcitedtotalkaboutmyfaiththatItalkwaytoomuch,tryingtofitin asmuchdetailandgospelmessageaspossible.Thisusuallyhastheeffectofturning peopleoff! OneApologistIheardsaidthatApologeticsisPreevangelism.ItspurposeistoIdentify andremoveobstacles. Itsalwaysbettertogettoknowapersonandfindoutthequestionstheyhavethantryto dazzlethemwithawholelotofanswersthateventhougharetrueareirrelevanttothat person.Ithinkthekeyisrespect.Showthemthatyourespecttheiropinionsandideas,but learnhowtodefendyourposition. TurnwithmetoActs25:2326:32 HerePaulhasbeenarrestedandtakentoCaesarea,whichisaRomantownontheCoast ofPalestine.CaesareawaswheretheRomanGovernorlived.Paulisgiventhe opportunitytogiveadefense(anapology)infrontofKingAgrippaandhissisterBernice. KingAgrippawasthesonofHerodwhohadJameskilledandPeterimprisoned.Hewas theGreatGrandsonofHerodtheGreatwhotriedtokillthebabyJesus. AsIreadnoticehowPaulspeaks,heshowsrespecttohisaudience,hetalksabouthis background,hetriestofindcommongroundwithhisaudience,heusespersonaltestimony andmentionsthescripturesaswelltopointhisaudiencetoChristssufferingand resurrection. <nowreadActs25:2326:32> ThebookofActsrecordsquiteafewotherdefensesorApologiesofPaul.Butyoucan readthoseforyourself. TheNewTestamentisfullofApologiesordefensesofthetrueororthodoxfaith.Manyof theNewTestamentbookswerewrittentorefutesomekindoferrororheresy.Andintothe 2ndCenturyandbeyond,ChristianApologistscontinuedtowriteApologiesorDefenses regardingmanythings.SometimesdefendingtheChristianworldviewtotheRoman Authoritiesandsometimesdefendingtheorthodoxpositionagainstheresy.
JustinMartyr(ca.100165),InhistwoApologiesheappealedfortheciviltolerationof Christianityandarguedthatitwasinfactthetruephilosophy.ToshowthatChristianityshouldbe tolerated,herefutedcommonerrorsandrumors(forexample,thatChristianswereatheistsand thattheyatefleshanddrankblood)andpresentedChristianityasamorallysuperiorreligion

AureliusAugustine(354430)Thegreatestapologistandtheologianofthisperiod.Hewasthe bishopofHippo,whoseapologeticandtheologicalwritingsrangedwidelyovertheareasof humanculture,philosophy,andhistory.Augustinewovetheproofshefoundcompellingintoan apologeticconsistingofanumberofstrands.Theseproofsincludedfulfilledprophecy,the consistentmonotheisticfaithandworshipofthechurch,themiraclesoftheBible,andespecially themiracleofthemassiveconversionofmuchofRomansocietytofaithinacrucifiedGod evenwhensuchfaithbroughtmartyrdom. Anselm(10331109),thebishopofCanterbury,isregardedasoneofthemostcreativeand originalphilosopherstheChristianchurchhaseverproduced.Heemphasizedthesideof Augustinesviewoffaithandreasonthatviewedfaithaspriortoreasonorunderstanding.The mostfamousbyfarofthesephilosophicalargumentshascometobeknownastheontological argument

ThomasAquinas(12251274)
InthethirteenthcenturyChristianEuropewasshakenbytherediscoveryanddistributionofthe philosophicalworksofAristotleandthestrongimpetusgiventotheAristotelianworldview Aquinasisperhapsbestknownforhisfiveways,fiveargumentsfortheexistenceofGod.

TheReformation
MartinLuther(14831546),JohnCalvin(15091564)

ApologeticsFacesSkepticism
UntilthepostReformationperiodmostEuropeanstookChristianityforgranted,andthemajor religiousdebateswereprimarilyintraChristiandisputesaboutthemeaningofcertainkey doctrinesofthefaith.Buttheseventeenthcenturysawtheriseofreligiousskepticismthat challengedtheverytruthoftheChristianfaith.Thisskepticismledtonewdevelopmentsin apologetics.

TheRiseofModernApologetics
ChristianapologeticswasforcedtoreinventitselfwiththeadventoftheEnlightenment C.S.Lewis(18981963)wasascholarofmedievalliteratureandanatheistwhoconvertedto Christianityinmidlife.HisapologeticworksincludedTheProblemofPain(ontheproblemof reconcilinghumansufferingwithanallgoodGod),TheScrewtapeLetters(fromaseniordevil instructingajuniordevilintheartoftemptation),Miracles(defendingbeliefinmiracles),and MereChristianity(defendingbeliefinGodandChrist).LewisinsistedthatChristianitywasbased onreasonableevidence,andthatonceapersonhadembracedthefaith,thetrueattitudeoffaith wastobelievedespitesuchseemingevidenceagainstChristianityasonespersonalsuffering andlosses.Amongthemostpopularargumentshedevelopedwasthetrilemma(asitwas latercalled):sinceJesusclaimedtobeGod,onemusteither(1)rejecthimasaliar,(2)dismiss himasalunatic,or(3)accepthimasLord.SincethefirsttwoalternativescontradictChrists

evidentsincerityandsanity,Lewisargued,wemustconcludethathereallyisLord.Lewiss writingshavehadatremendousinfluenceonChristianapologetics

AndofcoursethereareheapsandheapsofotherApologiststhatIhaven'tmentioned. Apologeticsinthemodernperiodhasbeenclassifiedintofourmaingroups.
Classicalapologetics Evidentialism Reformedapologetics Fideism

Theclassicalapologistseesreasonasthegroundofapologeticargument.The evidentialistseekstobuildacaseforChristianityfromthefacts.TheReformedapologist contendsthatGodsrevelationofhimselfinJesusChristandinScriptureistheproper groundforallthinkingaboutreason,fact,andhumanexperience.Thefideistpresents experienceofGodinJesusChristasselfjustifyingapartfromargument. Eachoneoftheseareashastheirstrengths,oftenwhenwethinkofApologeticstodaywe usuallythinkofeitherClassicalorEvidentialism,butallofthemhavetheirplace.

2)WhyisApologeticsImportant?
WilliamLaneCraighadthistosay:

TheresaneasterhymnthatsaysyouaskmehowIknowhelives,heliveswithin,myheart. NowIthinkonapersonallevel,thisanswerisperfectlylegitimate.Butwhenitcomesto engaginginaconversationinthepublicsquare,orinletterstotheeditor,orin conversationwithcoworkers,thenIthinkitisciriticalthatChristiansareabletopresent objectiveevidenceinsupportofourbeliefs.Otherwiseourclaimsholdnomorecredibility thantheassertionsofanyoneelsewhoclaimstohaveaprivatereligiousexperience. FortunatelyChristianityispeculiarinthatitisareligionrootedinhistoricalevents.Itmakes claimsthereforethatcanbeinvestigatedhistorically. HethengoesontopowerfullyprovethattheresurrectionofJesusactuallyhappened. AnotherApologistwasaskedthisquestion: WhydoweneedApologeticsintheChurch?Heanswered: WefindmanypeopleinChristianchurchstoday,donotknowwhattheybelieveorwhy theyevenbelieveit.WhyamIaChristian,andwhyismyreligionanydifferentfromanyone

elses?Andthat'sbecausewedontteachdoctrine.Doctrineisextremelyimportant.And whensomeoneaskswhydoyoubelieveasyoubelieve?,wearethenpreparedtogivea hopeforthereasonwebelieve. Ifheisrightandthechurchisnotteachingdoctrinethenwearegoingtobeinbigtrouble asthenextgenerationgrowsup.Iftheydontknowwhattheybelieveorwhytheybelieveit, thenthechurchwillbeinforallsortsofproblemsandissues.Iguessforthoseofuswho havechildrenitisuptoustoteachthem,sothattheyinturnwillhaveconfidencethattheir beliefsaretrueandcanstandagainstanyattack. SoIguessyoucouldsaythatApologeticsisvitallyimportantforatleastthefollowingthree reasons: Firstlybecausewearetoldtoinscripture1stPeter3:15 Secondlybecausehearingothersdefendthefaithgivesusconfidence.Andaswestudy Apologeticsforourselveswegatherabetterunderstandingofourfaith. Andthirdlybecausetheworldneedsit.ManypeopleareconvincedthatChristianityis irrelevanttotheirlives.Theultimategoaloftheapologististhatthelistenerwillchangetheir mindandcometofaithinJesusChrist. CanIencourageyoutocontinuetostudyyourfaith.Knowwhatitsallabout.Asklotsof questions,eventhehardones.TherearemanygreatbooksandDVDsonthesubjectof Apologetics. ThishasbeenjustanintroductiontoApologetics.ThismonthfollowingEasterwewill continuewiththistopic.ButifsomeofyoufeelthatApologeticssoundsabittoomuchor it'ssomethingthatyoudontthinkyoucandorememberthis: Jesuschoseordinarypeopletobehisapologists.Abunchoffishermen,ataxcollector,of coursetherewereafewintellectualsaswellsuchasPaul.Butanyonecandoapologetics, youdonthavetoknoweverythingaboutGodandtheBible.Ifwehaveapersonal testimonyregardinghowJesusfoundusthat'sallweneedtogetstarted. LetsPray.