Download - Grace Life Community Church
Grace Life Community Grace Life Community ChurchChurchApologetics Conference 2014Apologetics Conference 2014
Where are we Going?Where are we Going?• Where are we nowWhere are we now: A look at who we are and how we : A look at who we are and how we
think . . . AND WHY?!?think . . . AND WHY?!?
• The Big QuestionsThe Big Questions– Does God exist?Does God exist?– What about Neo-Darwinian Evolution?What about Neo-Darwinian Evolution?– Are there errors in the Bible?Are there errors in the Bible?– Why is Christianity exclusive – why are we the only ones Why is Christianity exclusive – why are we the only ones
who are right?who are right?– Theodicy – if God is Good and Omnipotent, why do we Theodicy – if God is Good and Omnipotent, why do we
suffer?suffer?
• SPEAKSPEAK: A better method for apologetics- or, How to do : A better method for apologetics- or, How to do apologetics without being sorry.apologetics without being sorry.
• Q&AQ&A
ReviewReview Books and resources mentioned:Books and resources mentioned:
Francis SchaefferFrancis Schaeffer How Should We Then Live*How Should We Then Live* Escape from ReasonEscape from Reason
Books recommended:Books recommended: D.A. CarsonD.A. Carson
The Gagging of God*The Gagging of God* Will DurantWill Durant
The Story of Philosophy°The Story of Philosophy° Neil PostmanNeil Postman
Amusing Ourselves to Death°Amusing Ourselves to Death° James SireJames Sire
The Universe Next DoorThe Universe Next Door
It was shown . . . It It was shown . . . It breaks downbreaks down
Michael Behe*Michael Behe* Darwin’s Black BoxDarwin’s Black Box
Stephen Meyer*Stephen Meyer* Darwin’s DoubtDarwin’s Doubt
Ray ComfortRay Comfort Introduction to 150Introduction to 150thth Anniversary of Origin Of Anniversary of Origin Of
SpeciesSpecies
Dissent From Darwinism ListDissent From Darwinism List
SOME HELPSOME HELP
StrobelStrobel Case for ChristCase for Christ
Norman GeislerNorman Geisler From God to UsFrom God to Us
BE CAREFUL: BART EHRMANBE CAREFUL: BART EHRMAN
SOME HELPSOME HELP
StrobelStrobel Case for ChristCase for Christ Case for the Real JesusCase for the Real Jesus
HabermasHabermas Case for the ResurrectionCase for the Resurrection
Some helpsSome helps
D.A. CarsonD.A. Carson How Long O’Lord?How Long O’Lord?
Lee StrobelLee Strobel The Case for FaithThe Case for Faith
John MacarthurJohn Macarthur Safe in the Arms of GodSafe in the Arms of God
BE CAREFUL: OPEN THEISMBE CAREFUL: OPEN THEISM Clark PinnockClark Pinnock John SandersJohn Sanders Greg BoydGreg Boyd
Answering Biblical Answering Biblical Questions Apologetically Questions Apologetically Without Being SorryWithout Being Sorry
1 Peter 3:15
Why are we doing this?Why are we doing this?
1 Peter 3:151 Peter 3:15 GIVE AN ANSWERGIVE AN ANSWER
2 Corinthians 5:11ff2 Corinthians 5:11ff WE BELIEVEWE BELIEVE
Mark 12:28-34Mark 12:28-34 LOVE GOD, LOVE LOVE GOD, LOVE
PEOPLEPEOPLE
15. but 15. but sanctify sanctify Christ Christ as Lord in your hearts, as Lord in your hearts, always always being being ready ready to to
make a make a defense to defense to everyone who asks you everyone who asks you to give an account for to give an account for
the the hope that is in you, hope that is in you, yet yet with gentleness with gentleness
and and reverence; reverence; -Peter 3:15 -Peter 3:15 NAUNAU
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord,
we persuade others. But what we are is we persuade others. But what we are is
known to God, and I hope it is known also to known to God, and I hope it is known also to
your conscience. 12 We are not commending your conscience. 12 We are not commending
ourselves to you again but giving you cause ourselves to you again but giving you cause
to boast about us, so that you may be able to to boast about us, so that you may be able to
answer those who boast about outward answer those who boast about outward
appearance and not about what is in the appearance and not about what is in the
heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is
for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for
you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us,
because we have concluded this: that one has because we have concluded this: that one has
died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he
died for all, that those who live might no died for all, that those who live might no
longer live for themselves but for him who for longer live for themselves but for him who for
their sake died and was raised. (their sake died and was raised. (2 COR. 5:11-2 COR. 5:11-
1515) )
29 Jesus answered, “The most important
is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the
Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind and with
all your strength.’ 31 The second is this:
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater
than these.” (MARK 12:28-31)
Why are we doing this?Why are we doing this?
In 1 Peter 3:15In 1 Peter 3:15
ApologiaApologia Means to give a Means to give a
defencedefence Used in the phrase, Used in the phrase,
“Defence of the Gospel”“Defence of the Gospel” Phil. 1:7Phil. 1:7 Phil. 1:16Phil. 1:16
15. but 15. but sanctify sanctify Christ Christ as Lord in your hearts, as Lord in your hearts, always always being being ready ready to to
make a make a defense to defense to everyone who asks you everyone who asks you to give an account for to give an account for
the the hope that is in you, hope that is in you, yet yet with gentleness with gentleness
and and reverence; reverence; -Peter 3:15 -Peter 3:15 NAUNAU
15. but 15. but sanctify sanctify Christ Christ as Lord in your heartsas Lord in your hearts, , always always being being ready ready to to
make a make a defense to defense to everyone who asks you everyone who asks you to give an account for to give an account for
the the hope that is in you, hope that is in you, yet yet with gentleness with gentleness
and and reverence; reverence; -Peter 3:15 -Peter 3:15 NAUNAU
15. but 15. but sanctify sanctify Christ Christ as Lord in your hearts, as Lord in your hearts, alwaysalways being being ready ready to to
make a make a defense to defense to everyoneeveryone who asks you who asks you to give an account for to give an account for
the the hope that is in you, hope that is in you, yet yet with gentleness with gentleness
and and reverence; reverence; -Peter 3:15 -Peter 3:15 NAUNAU
15. but 15. but sanctify sanctify Christ Christ as Lord in your hearts, as Lord in your hearts, always always being being ready ready to to
make a make a defense to defense to everyone everyone who asks you who asks you to give an account for to give an account for
the the hope that is in youhope that is in you, , yet yet with gentleness with gentleness
and and reverence; reverence; -Peter 3:15 -Peter 3:15 NAUNAU
15. but 15. but sanctify sanctify Christ Christ as Lord in your hearts, as Lord in your hearts, always always being being ready ready to to
make a make a defense to defense to everyone who asks you everyone who asks you to give an account for to give an account for
the the hope that is in you, hope that is in you, yet yet with with gentleness gentleness
and and reverencereverence; ; -Peter 3:15 -Peter 3:15 NAUNAU
15. but 15. but sanctify sanctify Christ Christ as Lord in your hearts, as Lord in your hearts, always always being being ready ready to to
make make
a a defensedefense to to everyone who asks you everyone who asks you to give an account for to give an account for
the the hope that is in you, hope that is in you, yet yet with gentleness with gentleness
and and reverence; reverence; -Peter 3:15 -Peter 3:15 NAUNAU
How do we do this?How do we do this? S.P.E.A.K.S.P.E.A.K.
SStart real Conversationtart real Conversation PPay attentionay attention EEvaluate their wordsvaluate their words AAsk questionssk questions KKindly respond and guideindly respond and guide
Write if possibleWrite if possible I write stuff down while they I write stuff down while they
speak, if I canspeak, if I can
Look for “hiccup”Look for “hiccup”
LET’S HAVE DINNERLET’S HAVE DINNER
IGORIGOR
““SPEAK” ApologeticsSPEAK” Apologetics StartStart with with theirtheir questions questions
Pay attentionPay attention to to theirtheir answers answers
EvaluateEvaluate theirtheir words words
Ask questions Ask questions about what about what theythey said said
Kindly respond and guide Kindly respond and guide back through back through theirtheir thoughts and wordsthoughts and words
WhoWho is in focus here? is in focus here?
Start with their Start with their QuestionsQuestions
What are they wondering?What are they wondering?
What did they comment on?What did they comment on?
What are they criticizing?What are they criticizing?
Igor – “The Bible is full of errors?”Igor – “The Bible is full of errors?”
Pay attention to their Pay attention to their AnswersAnswers
Good time to write down statementsGood time to write down statements This can freak some out, but once you explain that This can freak some out, but once you explain that
you want to listen well, it’s cool.you want to listen well, it’s cool. You can also keep your latter questions focused by You can also keep your latter questions focused by
pointing at things they actually said.pointing at things they actually said. Make sure to keep good eye contact, though.Make sure to keep good eye contact, though.
Focus on buzz wordsFocus on buzz words
Do not go “A.D.D.” on them – stick to THIS Do not go “A.D.D.” on them – stick to THIS discussiondiscussion
Igor – “A million errors in the Bible?!?”Igor – “A million errors in the Bible?!?”
Evaluate their WordsEvaluate their Words Pick out buzz wordsPick out buzz words
Organize thoughtsOrganize thoughts
Ask for clarificationAsk for clarification
Igor – “What do you mean by ‘errors’? Based on Igor – “What do you mean by ‘errors’? Based on what?”what?”
Ask Questions about what they Ask Questions about what they SaidSaid
Ask for more clarificationAsk for more clarification
Test with hypotheticalsTest with hypotheticals
Offer conclusions/comparisonsOffer conclusions/comparisons
Igor – “Can we talk about the top 50?”Igor – “Can we talk about the top 50?”
Kindly respond and guide them Kindly respond and guide them through their thoughts and wordsthrough their thoughts and words
Put your evaluations in orderPut your evaluations in order
Connect things they saidConnect things they said
Propose questions that highlight the logical Propose questions that highlight the logical fallaciesfallacies
Igor – “So, you don’t know the book or the author Igor – “So, you don’t know the book or the author or 1 of the ‘errors’? Why do you believe that, or 1 of the ‘errors’? Why do you believe that, then?”then?”
Points of ConcernPoints of ConcernNo one saved in a No one saved in a
debatedebate
The point is to listenThe point is to listen
Look for a “hiccup”Look for a “hiccup”
Show respectShow respect
And…And…
The point is to The point is to Listen!Listen!
Sometimes . . . there’s a Sometimes . . . there’s a gapgap There are things that There are things that
might be an invisible might be an invisible wall between you and wall between you and another – causing a another – causing a distance between you. distance between you. Being aware of these Being aware of these potential issues is potential issues is important.important.
Terms of DistanceTerms of Distance
SyllogismSyllogism
Exegetical FallaciesExegetical Fallacies
Cultural InfluenceCultural Influence
StereotypingStereotyping
Main/Predicate bait and Main/Predicate bait and switchswitch
Incorrect Hermeneutical Incorrect Hermeneutical LogicLogic
Categorical Switch of Categorical Switch of Truth/CultureTruth/Culture
Much like a practical Much like a practical syllogism – a blanket syllogism – a blanket assumptionassumption
Terms of DistanceTerms of Distance
CaricaturesCaricatures
Micro-ArgumentationMicro-Argumentation
Emotional Emotional Rejection/DistrustRejection/Distrust
Wrong DefinitionWrong Definition
Disproportionate Disproportionate StereotypingStereotyping
An overemphasis on An overemphasis on secondary Doctrine as secondary Doctrine as PrimaryPrimary
Negative experience Negative experience that is realthat is real
Wrong DefinitionWrong Definition
Terms of DistanceTerms of Distance
Doctrinal ConclusionsDoctrinal Conclusions
Satanic InfluenceSatanic Influence
Genuine thoughtful Genuine thoughtful doctrinal view, opposing doctrinal view, opposing biblical Christianitybiblical Christianity
Spiritual warfare is realSpiritual warfare is real
Two Big categoriesTwo Big categories
Doctrinal IssuesDoctrinal Issues
Personal IssuesPersonal Issues
Which is it?Which is it?
The Big QuestionThe Big QuestionWHAT HAPPENED?WHAT HAPPENED?
You need to slow it You need to slow it down and realize . . . down and realize . . .
God doesn’t need you to do this . . . He is God doesn’t need you to do this . . . He is letting you in on what He is doingletting you in on what He is doing
This may take a long timeThis may take a long time
It needs to be organic, naturalIt needs to be organic, natural
It needs to be a clear expression of love – It needs to be a clear expression of love – NOT MAKING A SALENOT MAKING A SALE
It needs to be biblicalIt needs to be biblical
A Walk Back HomeA Walk Back Home: A : A Progression of Degree to Progression of Degree to
gain groundgain ground Is it Possible?Is it Possible?
Is it Probable?Is it Probable?
Is it Likely?Is it Likely?
Is it Actual?Is it Actual?
HOW ABOUT A LITTLE HOW ABOUT A LITTLE PRACTICE?PRACTICE?
A R
EC
OM
MEN
DATIO
NA
REC
OM
MEN
DATIO
N
Stay in touchStay in touch
www.anunworthyservant.com
Twitter: @zoeesteatmisTwitter: @zoeesteatmis
FacebookFacebook
Grace Life Community Grace Life Community ChurchChurchApologetics Conference 2014Apologetics Conference 2014