Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Adult Sunday School Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb19991003.htm

BASIC CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: DEFENDING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
Part I: An Effective Contemporary Cosmological Argument For God's Existence And His Bible's Credibility
(Romans 1:18-20; Acts 17:24, 26-28)
  1. As believers, we are expected by God in a respectful, humble way to give an apologetic, a "legally recognized" defense of our faith to every man that asks us a reason for the hope that is in us, 1 Peter 3:15.
  2. As some have signaled a need to hone their apologetic skills, we begin a series on Christian Apologetics:
    1. An Effective Contemporary Cosmological Argument For God's Existence And His Bible's Credibility
    2. We have a Biblical starting point for our study in Christian Apologetics as follows:
      1. First, God WANTS us to be able to defend our beliefs to all who ask about our faith, 1 Peter 3:15.
      2. Second, God has evidences in nature that every unsaved person can see testify of Him, Rom. 1:18-20.
      3. Third, God has arranged historical events and geo-political boundaries to "nudge" men to seek and find Him though He is never far from every unsaved party on earth, Acts 17:24, 26-28!
      4. Fourth, there are people around us with "closed minds" with whom it is counterproductive to converse on our faith, cf. Romans 1:18, 21-23. We should not seek to testify to them, cf. Matthew 7:6.
    3. Encouraged, armed and directed by this insight, here is an effective contemporary cosmological argument for God's existence and His Bible's credibility that any open-minded human can find persuasive:
      1. [This field-tested cosmological argument was developed by Christian Apologist, Norm Geisler in his many interactions with secular university professors and students. It is also recommended by Ravi Zacharias who has had an impact for Christ in his interactions with students at institutions like Harvard. (cf. Ravi Zacharias, Can Man Live Without God? (Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1994), p. 190-191)]
      2. Here is that field-tested and workable, effective contemporary argument:
        1. Point One - Some things undeniably exist.
        2. Point Two - My nonexistence is possible.
        3. Point Three - Whatever has the possibility not to exist is currently caused to exist if it does exist by another.
        4. Point Four - There cannot be an infinite regress (throw back) of current causes of existence.
        5. Point Five - Therefore, a first uncaused cause of my current existence exists.
        6. Point Six - This uncaused cause must be infinite, unchanging, all-powerful, all-knowing and all-perfect.
        7. Point Seven - This infinitely perfect being is appropriately called "God."
        8. Point Eight - Therefore, God exists.
        9. Point Nine - This God who exists is identical to the God described in the Christian Scriptures.
        10. Point Ten - Therefore, the God described in the Bible exists.
    4. In supplying this argument, we must follow God's lead as supplied in Scripture as follows:
      1. First, we must discern if the unsaved party is at all open to our argument before sharing it, for if he has a closed mind, we will only create barriers besides violating Matthew 7:6 in trying to share this defense.
      2. Second, once the unsaved party has indicated an interest and an open mind, we can supply this contemporary cosmological argument if the party needs to accept the existence of God, 1 Peter 3:15.
      3. Third, if the party indicates that he has accepted some of the points already, say points one through eight, but has trouble with (say) the Bible being credible, we use point six and go next to nine and ten.
      4. Fourth, the party may need specifics to believe the Bible's credibility, or accept our Bible's credibility as opposed to another one that, say has an Apocrypha. We need another lesson on doing that (to follow)!
      5. Fifth, if we run into a question from an unbeliever that we cannot answer, honestly tell him we don't have the answer now, but we will seek a more knowledgeable authority and get back to him on it! Such honesty breeds trust, and such a response to being stumped itself can be a witness! (Romans 12:17b)
      6. Sixth, be prayerful at every step as the unbeliever's thinking is clouded by Satan, cf. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.
Lesson: God expects us to defend our faith (1 Peter 3:15), so we should be equipped to do so effectively. The KEY to making a good defense is not to pretend to know ALL the facts, but humbly share enough of them to bridge the gap of ignorance, and to do so in the spiritual power provided by Jesus Christ!

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