|
Written by David Gaddy
|
|
Friday, 01 August 2008 03:38 |
The word Apologetics is the part of theology that asks you why you believe what it is that you believe. The word is derived from the Greek word apologia, which means a verbal defense for your belief. Of course, the English language has changed over the years and we now think of an apology being regret and remorse. But the original meaning of the word was anything but remorse. It was boldly being able to defend your belief and being ready to always give an answer for that hope which lies within you. But the term goes beyond simply explaining your stance. True Apology looks to show that given the scriptural as well as physical evidence for your belief, there is no other course but to follow it.
- Vindication - Presenting Evidence
- I Peter 3:15 - Do you know why you do what you do?
- The Scopes "monkey" trial is a good (or bad) example of how the theologians on the stand could not even explain where Cain found a wife. (search giantsofgath.com for the answer to that one).
- Answering Darwin - Darwinism is very weak science and really pretty easy to defend against if we just do a little homework.
- Answering Dan Brown and the like. Doubting the Bible's credibility is really in these days. But any real good look into history will debunk these revisionist theorist that proclaim gnostic writings were as valid as the gospels that are in the Bible.
- Textual Criticism - Understand the Bible, where it came from and it's validity. The Bible is the single best documented ancient book in history with over 5000 existing manuscripts dating back to over 1500 years.
- Defense
- The difference between defense and preemptive strikes. If someone throws a punch at you and you block it, that's true defense. If you take the opportunity to strike back, then that is no longer real defense, but a preemptive strike. Apologetics is about deflecting attacks, not making them.
- True defense comes when attack is made against you.
- Defending your honor or defending someone else can lead to a preemptive attack that is not true defense, but instead just a "justified" reason for attack.
- Philippians 1:1-18 - Paul saw himself on trial for his belief, but felt confident in his defense lawyer (God)
- Acts 22 - Paul's defense was his testimony. Note that in verse 3 he acknowledges their zeal for God. Many are apologist but they use bad apologetics
- Bad Apologetics
- Context - Scriptures that are pulled out of context to make a point can be very damaging to knowing the truth. Always know the context of a verse before throwing it around. For example, if you are defending why you do or do not a certain thing during an assembly, make sure the scriptures that you are using are talking about an assembly.
- Presumptuous Study - Entering a study with the answer already in mind can also be damaging to the truth. If you only use the Bible to prove what you already believe, then you only serve your selfish needs. To go to the Bible with an open mind is required. Let God lead you and not the other way around.
- Traditions - Making law from tradition can hinder the truth and lead to more bad apologetics. Just because Dad did it doesn't always make it law. Find out why you do the things that you do.
- Following others - God gave you a mind for a reason. Never feel that you are too dumb to study the Bible. Remember that the rain waters the trees and the grass at the same time. Just because someone is a good speaker, doesn't make him right.
- 1 Corinthians 1:11-15, 3:20-23
- Again... open minds and open Bibles.
- Acts 17:5-14 - The Jews in Thessalonica stood for their tradition while the Jews in Berea received it with open minds. But it was not a blind acceptance, they studied it daily to test it.
- Persuasion
- Apologetics is not about proving you're right and someone else wrong. It is only to be delivered with a soft approach and love.
- Apologetics is about removing doubts and barriers, not cramming down someone's throat. Get off your soap box!
- A true apology will persuade others to follow, but a loud mouth will only roll eyes. (I'm sure that's in Proverbs somewhere) :)
- Conclusion - Love, Study without bias, and stand for the truth.
|
