Four fundamental questions
Does God exist?Is the God of the Bible the real God?Is the Bible from God?Is the Bible accurate in all it communicates?Three personal questions
Why do I believe?
Why do I believe God exists?Why do I believe the Bible tells about the true God?Why do I believe the Bible is from God?Why do I believe the Bible is accurate?How do I know?
How do I know God exists?How do I know the Bible tells about the true God?How do I know the Bible is from God?How do I know the Bible is accurate?How will you respond?
Believe themDoubt them but for no particular reasonDisagree vehemently by using weak argumentsLovingly, firmly, and fearlessly reject what is false and demonstrate for them the truthApologetics
Acts 24:10; 25:8, 16; 26:1-2, 24; II Timothy 4:16Paul in courtActs 22:1Paul before the Jewish mobII Corinthians 9:3Paul, defending his right to receive wages as a preacher and his decision not to do so from the CorinthiansPhilippians 1:7, 16Paul’s defense and confirmation of the gospelI Peter 3:15Always ready to make a defensePaul’s apologetics in I Corinthians 9
Defense #1: Paul’s “right to eat and drink”
Argues from consistency - I Corinthians 9:5-6Argues from similarity - I Corinthians 9:7Argues from authoritative precedent - I Corinthians 9:9-10, 13Argues from lesser to greater (~a fortiori) - I Corinthians 9:11Argues from moral fairness - I Corinthians 9:12Argues with appeal to ultimate authority directly on the question at hand - I Corinthians 9:14Defense #2: Just because Paul didn’t exercise his “right to eat and drink” did not make him less of an apostle
External motivation: To cause no hindrance - I Corinthians 9:12Purpose: Would not make his boast an empty one - I Corinthians 9:15Internal motivation: Preaching voluntarily brought a reward - I Corinthians 9:17Personal trustworthiness: A pattern of life to not exercise freedom, for the benefit of others - I Corinthians 9:19-22Higher objective: For the sake of the gospel - I Corinthians 9:23Charitable outlook: To share in the blessings with those he sacrificed for - I Corinthians 9:23Consistent with his foundation for life: Lived with purpose - I Corinthians 9:25-27What specifically are we defending?
Could be anythingThe plan of salvationWork, worship, and organization of churchesBiblical views of sexual moralityFor this class, foundational beliefs that all the rest depend onDoes God exist?Is the God of the Bible the real God?Is the Bible from God?Is the Bible accurate in all it communicates?Purpose in apologetics
I Peter 3:15 – Be ready to make a defense.
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