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 Bible is the witness to the central events of the Christian faith. “It was never intended to be a short cut to the problems of Christian living, or an encyclopaedia of moral instruction, or a compendium of moral rules.” Some Christians, such as Liberal Protestants, (Church of England) believe that the Bible needs re-interpreting for a modern society, for example, many
It gives great emphasis to the chronological order of the words of God and takes the written words as a whole, using each and every word literally to support your walk with God. Wesleyan theology, on the other hand, focuses on a more abstract interpretation of the bible. Wesleyans see the bible as an enhancement to the Christian faith. They are more into having great confidence in their faith and using the bible as a reference in order to follow God in a more abstract way. They focus on their relationship with God as a whole and don’t see the bible as a step-by-step manual as Fundamentalists do.
Prayer is communication with God, so as Christians it is important that it is more than just formal, memorised prayers but you must speak to God, telling the Lord in our own words what we think and feel. Prayer is an essential part of Christians lives and has been since its earliest days. It is the crucial component of the Christian faith as it is the tradition of communication with God. The role of personal prayer rituals plays a very significant role in the tradition since Christian’s model their lives on the example of Jesus. Personal prayer is the prayer of an individual.
To survive as a church in this modern western world, we need a huge paradigm shift of being missional. “Missional” is the buzz word today for outreach, evangelism, holistic gospel, and more. So it’s broad meaning can get lost in its overuse. I would define it as the incarnational reality of Christ naturally lived out to others, especially those far from God. Or more simply, Christ in us loving others far from God.
Afterwards one should live his or her life according to the commandments. Conclusion Just like the various interpretations of the Bible, one may read this framework and obtain a different meaning. However, one should understand in-order to become a Christian; one must repent, confess that he or she is a sinner and then be baptized. After that, he or she must keep God Commandments. One deepens their relationship with God by reading His word daily and fellowshipping with other
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.
StatenT Webb opens the first chapter of the book with a foreshadowing of the material’s subject matter that he is about to present in some respects: “we are a sickly unaware of our culture which surrounds us.” The author is committed to the idea that the principal challenge in today’s world for Christians is to challenge culture and stand up to culture when it departs from “kingdom values” contained in the Scripture. Conversely, Christians are to identify with culture when its behaviors line up with kingdom values. The author immediately wants to persuade the reader that one of the test of stating what we as Christians believe lies in our understanding of whether the Bible is speaking in transcultural (direction on the issue indicates that
Paul's gospel is deeply theological, but it is also eminently practical. The Good News of Jesus Christ is intended to transform a person's life. Until individual Christians own and live out the theology, the gospel has not accomplished its purpose. Paul has briefly touched on the practical significance of what he writes throughout Romans 1-11. But beginning in chapter 12 Paul turns his full attention on the ethical implications of the gospel.” (393) The process of sanctification is constant.
A Study of Godly Ethics The Principles of a Biblical Worldview The Bible establishes the guidelines of God's ethical boundaries for all Christ followers. On some issues, God's Word speaks explicitly; however, there is less clarity in other matters and more need for discernment. As Christians learn, accept, and live the reality of Christ, they move towards a life of godliness.1 Through this process, Christians can begin to discern more clearly and live out a biblical worldview.2 Christ followers should be characterized by truth.3 If they are to be characterize by truth, what truth is must be interpreted. In John 17:17, Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth.” God has expressed Himself through Scripture; His Word is true, reliable, eternal, and the sacred authority.4 The Bible is the very word of God and should be the starting point for all thinking.5 Jesus also said that He is the truth.6 Jesus exemplifies wisdom and knowledge.7 God loves His creation enough to tell them how to live and promises to give understanding to those who seek Him.8 The root of man's dilemma often comes from not seeking God or misinterpreting the nature of God's truth.9 “The reason so few people act like Christians is that they do not think like Christians.”10 How then does one begin to think like a Christian? Christianity should be seen as the outline for godly decision making and a strategy for daily living.11 The Word of God has the final jurisdiction and is pertinent for the choices that Christians must make, many of which have moral consequences.