That is not the point.
The point is that God claims to love all. How can He do that and consign over 50% to eternal punishment.
Does God only love those who reciprocate His love?
Richard
PS if the only reason for loving God or doing His will is to go to Heaven then that is self Interest.
I guess it depends a lot on what you mean by apologetics as well as what is expected to be the result of having apologized.
My impression is that much of what is called “apologetics” consists of:
Yeah. If that’s apologetics, it’s worse than a waste of time. Who wants Jesus, if that’s what He endorses.
Obeying Jesus’ commands; treating people with real love and genuine respect; not just “good manners;” valuing people as people, not just “souls to get saved,” recognizing that people are still valuable if they never agree with me and still loving and serving them; spending money on the poor and changing the system that keeps them that way, rather than on materials to help one be a better “apologist”…
really get these things right first, before figuring out just what “apologetic strategy to employ.”
Most people are simply more interested in “lived coherance.”
If faith comes through the work of the Holy Spirit, all the arguing in the world is not going to change a person’s heart or mind. Demonstrating the gospel as something life changing and good by carrying it out really could start to change hearts and minds.
That’s still changing someone’s mind
The reason to love God is because he is lovely and going to heaven is to be with him. God made us to find joy in him. There is no problem with self-interest in God. He made us that way. So that in worshipping him we experience pleasure.
Oh… you did ask about this. It’s not what we were talking about, but this is a decent book if you’re interested in the subject
that may be the reality but it is not necessarily the true meaning.
Dogmatism and competitiveness are human failings
As a Lay Preacher apologetics are the tools of my calling. One of the first things i learned was that Rhetoric has only limited value. You cannot argue someone into faith. The second thing was that, as a preacher, you have an authority that can be abused. My job is not to persuade or indoctrinate but to try and explain what the Scriptures are teaching in the context of the modern world. I can explain why I believe something or how I interpret Scripture but I cannot insist that I have the only answer, or the only interpretation. If i can, I must give as many variations as possible and let the listener choose for themselves.
One preacher put it this way
We comfort the troubled and disturb the comfortable.
I wish it were as simple as just “proclaiming the Gospel”
Richard
I have never seen worship compared to sex before.
It makes it almost carnal.
I think what you are describing is drum and dance, not worship.
For me worship is not about emotion.
Any emotions are a response after the fact.
The culmination of true worship is the peace of God. (IMHO)
(Which we then proclaim for the whole world in the Blessing)
Richard
Yes and amen.
…
The hearer may still remain unconvinced.
For any number of reasons.
In which case rheir mind has not been changed. Their beliefs have not been changed.
This. (Plus extra characters)
And this is why apologetics even if it succeeds in showing belief isn’t stupid is usually so stupid in and of itself. But I guess if you’re being stupid for Jesus …
Exactly. We’re all trying to make sense who we are and what the universe wants us around for anyway. There didn’t need to be us, or bacteria or anything at all … but there is… Lots of stuff would be easier to bring about and sustain than us.
I think most of them work, maybe not all to the same degree, but they all work. I would say you are right about them not necessarily being our main tool, as atheists or people of other religions will always find refutations, and Christians will give responses in a vicious cycle. Yeah Christianity is declining right now, but a lot of things are. The west seems to be getting more and more apathetic about some important issues, especially younger generations (of which I am unfortunately apart of). They are being raised in more broken families with the divorce rate being upwards of 50%, which is definitely having an impact. As more issues arise, I think we stop caring because it seems to be too much, not to mention the fact that fewer kids are taught how to deal with them! Ultimately though, cultures and societies rise and fall over time, they evolve and change. Christianity has been dominant for most of the 2000+ years its been around, I wouldn’t be surprised that a decline would happen sooner or later, it will probably rise again.
I agree with this. Plus it is impossible to prove God’s existence anyway. The only point SHOULD really be showing that Christianity and/or theism is just as rational or more rational than we make it out to be. To show it is not a collection of “fairy tales” designed to make us feel better and/or control us.
So apologetics becomes verbal justification?
Richard
I have always viewed apologetics as being for Christians, for those who already believe. As others have mentioned, apologetics is usually a poor way of evangelizing. I think it is much better to connect on a person to person basis and to lead by example. Apologetics sounds more like a sales pitch than anything else which may turn people away.
Depends on your location and perspective. In the west, a decline is a fact. In my country, the decline started in early 1990’s and has continued since. But if we look at the global level, there are more Christians than ever. Especially Africa, some parts of Asia and South America host the majority of Christians today. We do not know exactly how much Christians there are because many parts of Asia are hostile and the local believers need to meet secretly but we know that there are more than ever.
The situation in the west may change if God sends again a time of revival. We had one national revival during 1980’s and during those years, the number and size of churches grew. When it ended, the decline started.
But how else can you answer criticism? Or even questions?
Words have a place, but are not /cannot be the be all and end all of witnessing or evangelism.
Richard
That’s a fair response. I do think there is a place for apologetics, but in recent times it has seemed to take on a life of its own. Or . . . I am just being overly sensitive. However, I do think internet culture has provided fertile soil for excessive debate and argument.
Balance would be a worthy goal.
The lion’s share of apologetics amounts to preaching to the choir. It is intended to make Christians feel better about their choice. We are expected to have an answer to criticism but apologetics isn’t the way to do it.
Forgive me, but that is cynicism to the extreme.
And there is no other way to answer verbal criticism. Even if it only to point toward actions or other evidence.
Apologetics is more than just rhetoric, or clever words. It involves reasoning and a display of logic that faith alone might deny.
Richard
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” -Colossians 4:6
This is a place for gracious dialogue about science and faith. Please read our FAQ/Guidelines before posting.
