EXPERIENTIAL APOLOGETICS Judi Fall Introduction to Apologetics /APOL500 February 7, 2010 INTRODUCTION Likely, the most important thing you can do, as a Christian, is to share the gospel with others. Whether you are a Christian or are not, you need to hear the gospel. But that being said, it is easier said than done. There are those who will be willing to hear and those who will not. Being able to give an answer to everyone who asks is known as apologetics, which means to “give an answer.” 1{Hindson, Caner, 28} Paul said in 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
The good news of Jesus Christ is intended to transform a person’s life.” The power of the gospel is the force which drives sanctification in the lives of those who follow Christ. Paul states in 18:17, “Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.” The Christian life, both publically and privately, provides a glimpse into what God is like to those around them. The importance of integrity isn’t for integrity’s sake, but rather for the chance of someone to put their faith and trust in
While few Methodists pastors believe in inerrancy, conservatives view scripture as the unique revelation of God. The Bible contains all we need to know to be saved and to live the Christian life. Conservatives believe that the four gospels are the heart of scripture and accurately portray the life of Christ. Christian Ethics- Because of their skepticism of human nature and reason, conservatives believe we must be guided by the principles found in the Old and New Covenants. Christian love must be guided by the moral teachings of scripture and the church.
This should be done by individuals that experience the love of Christ in their lives on a daily basis. Having knowledge of God’s word is one thing; living by God’s word is completely different all together, and would better position those employed to mirror what Godly principals the school stands
In order to receive salvation, one must have faith in the word of God and “preach Christ”. To “preach Christ” is to teach and minister about Jesus, who He is and what He did. Luther clearly tells us that no works can bring about salvation. He depicts an ideal Christian as one with great faith in God’s Word. In order to live a Christian life, one must look to Christ and place faith in Him.
Beginning in chapter 12 Paul discussed how Christians are to live. In Romans 12:1 Paul urges the Christians: “in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” Paul continuously reminds the people to live above reproach and renew their minds so that they do not become part of the world. In the entire book of Romans Paul discusses the topic of how we as Christians should live, but Moo makes a great point in our book of how chapter 12 is a more in depth teaching on this matter. Moo states that "All theology is practical, and all practice, if it is truly Christian, is theological. Paul's gospel is deeply theological, but it is also eminently practical.
There are people who live in a secular world, worlds that is non-religious, but who identify, in their hearts, with Christianity. They are a breed of people who are challenging the Church to become ecumenical in its thinking and if the Church will not get out into the community to help others this group will be found doing the work of the ‘Church’. Pastoral Carers and/or Ministers have challenging roles that must include these Christians who will most likely never come into their Churches. The inclusion of these people will exemplify the most powerful form of love that could ever exist, a love that is unconditional and a love that does not come with wrong motives. The traditions of man must give way to this new generation of worshippers, worshippers who are not frequenting the Church but are in the communities helping, reading ‘spiritual’ books to help them learn about being great people, and having a relationship with God.
Christopher A. Coleman Liberty University Apol 104-C16 Critical Thinking Assignment March 16, 2015 As Christ following believers, we understand that the word of God is the only source of absolute truth. The truth of the scriptures guides our thoughts and decisions. Understanding that we know that Jesus is our only hope, it is important to convey that message to non-believers, but not to be influenced by their worldview (Romans 12:2). In order to effectively engage the culture one must understand what the culture believes. One very popular worldview today is secular humanism.
The Bible has such a source of authority, God. This is what is commonly known as divine inspiration. Divine inspiration is “the guidance or influence of the Holy Spirit on the human writers of Scripture so that God controlled them in such a way that what they wrote was exactly what God wanted them to write without error.” (Towns 2008) Support for this inspiration is revealed in scripture like II Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” The term “God breathed” translates to mean “divinely breathed”. Elmer Towns notes “since breath is life, when God put His Spirit into the words of Scripture, He was also putting His life in Scripture.” (Towns 2008) God placed his endorsement of authority on the Holy Scriptures with his own breath and at the same time gave divine life to the Bible. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active…” The Bible is authoritative due to divine inspiration, but what good would this authority be if what was written in the Bible was unreliable?
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8) As a church we recognize that we serve the Triune God, and we stress the importance of developing our relationship with God and with Jesus, yet it seems to me that there is a lack of talk about our relationship with the Spirit. What is the Holy Spirit? I believe many of us regard the Spirit as something of an essence or wind-like force that surrounds us and leads us to be like God.