Being an Apologist and Doing Apologetics
From: Apologetics Then And Now DVD
by Ravi Zacharias
Note: This is a very good resource, if you are interested please buy it and help support Dr. Zacharias' ministry.
I. The Struggles of the Human Heart and Mind
1. Materialism
a. Big M Materialism
Matter is all that there is.
b. Small m Materialism
Gains, get things, that is all that matters.
2. Hedonism
Seeks pleasure, sensations.
3. Existentialism
The will to choose in the face of despair, "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps", angst, will to survive.
Came through an invasion of the imagination through the avenue of the arts. ala Sarte, Camus etc.
4. Naturalism
No need for any supernatural explanation, naturalism will explain it all.
II. The Scriptural Imperative
1. 1 Peter 3: 15 - 16
Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is within you. Do so with gentleness and respect.
2. 2 Corinthians 10: 4 - 5
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Not using worldly weapons, has divine power. C.S. Lewis -> do not get sidetracked into argument.
III. The Task of Apologetics
1. Clarify Truth Claims
Much of what is rejected of the Christian faith today by contemporary culture is not true faith, but a caricature of it.
Acts 2: 14-16
"baffled, proving Jesus is Christ, Reasoned, trying to persuade"
2. Give Answers To Specific Questions
Acts 9:22, Acts 17:17, Acts 18:4, Acts 9: 8-11
3. To Remove Obstacles To The Cross
a. 1 Corinthians 1:22
Entire goal of apologetics is to get the person to take a direct look at the cross of Jesus Christ. If you have not done that, you have not done the task of apologetics.
b. Analogy to John Locke - "clearing underbrush - may not do anything positive, get rid of junk ideas though."
IV. The Criticisms of Apologetics
1. It diminishes biblical truth claims.
2. It dries up spontaneity.
3. It detracts from the role of the Holy Spirit.
4. It displaces faith by reason.
If the apologist does any of the above then the criticisms are relevant, if not, they are not.
V. The Challenge of Apologetics
1. The Human Problem
Our problem is not finiteness or smallness but falleness and sinfulness.
2. The Sinners Insistence On Their Own View of Things
3. Pursues a Lie and Chases it Until they can Believe It
VI. The Components of Apologetics
1. Identification
(You to questioner, questioner to you.)
Biggest complaint of Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims is that Christians are quick to talk about Jesus but do not take the time to learn what they believe and why.
2. Translation
Putting the gospel in their way of thinking. Communicating at their level and them bringing them up to God's level (in terms of what concepts mean.)
3. Persuasion
Using reasons, illustrations, arguments. God has gifted each and every Christian in terms of making us persuasive in some way.
4. Justification
- What we are presenting.
- Why only the gospel is true.
VII. The Approach
1. Pragmatic
This has worked in my life. Not that it is true because it works, but that it works because it is true. Even false things can work for a short while.
This can backfire. "I believe in Krisha, and it has worked in my life." Most effective when dealing with those who are at 'rock bottom' and need something that works in their lives.
2. Experiential / Emotional
Ideas of longing, the search for joy and meaning which can only by completely found in Christ. Powerful role in deciding truth for people, especially in the unconscious. eg. C.S. Lewis -> desire, Suprised by Joy.
3. Philosophical / Intellectual
Philosophy comes at three levels:
- Theory
- Illustration
- Application
Here we defang questions and show that the questioner assumes things that could only be true if Christianity is true.
4. Historical
Christianity is a faith based on historical facts, you can check out things about it. We are proclaimers of things that actually took place.
5. Community Level
The importance of worshiping communities.
In postmodern culture one of the most powerful apologetics is a worshiping community.
VIII. The Goal
1. Awaken a sense of need. ie. Pascal's Wager
2. If Jesus is the "Way, Truth and Life", he will have an answer for that need.
3. Jesus is not only an answer, He is also True.
4. Show that one cannot remain neutral on this issue, you must decide one way or another.
5. Counter Bad Elements of Society's Current Beliefs.
Life is broken, only Jesus can put it back together again.
a. Materialism - balance matter with soul.
b. Hedonism - balance pleasure with purpose.
c. Existentialism - balance will with reason.
d. Rationalism - balance reason with emotions.
e. Postmodernism - balance language with reality.
f. Naturalism - balance imminence with transcendence.
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