If you’ve hung around “church people” very much you’ve either heard it or said it yourself: “No one’s ever argued someone into the kingdom of God.” I understand the sentiment behind the statement but it’s like saying, “If we share the gospel and meet opposition we’ll just shut it down, we don’t want to argue.”
The reality is that many people of come to faith in Christ through the work of apologetic ministries like Reasonable Faith with William Lane Craig, RZIM with Ravi Zacharias, or even through Lee Strobel’s work in the series of “The Case For…” books. Each of these ministries (and others not mentioned) regularly show that the gospel of Christ does not need to be accepted on blind faith. They all work to advocate that Christian faith is based on reason and evidence.
Church: as we endeavor to be obedient to the Great Commission, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, let us also endeavor to be prepared to reason with people for the sake of the gospel. May we not call people to blindly put their faith in Christ, without reason. As we engage people in this manner we will emulate Paul’s example.
The book of Acts has multiple instances of Paul reasoning with people. We are told in Acts 19:26 that, “Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.” Then we get to a scene in Acts 17 where Paul stands in the Areopagus and reasons with the Athenians about the unknown god. He proclaims the creator God of the Bible and the coming judgment. Yes, some who hear him believe right then, but many responded, ‘We will hear you again about this (17:32).’ Paul had to continue to reason with these men about the validity of salvation through Christ.
Paul had a habit of reasoning in this manner. We see Paul defending his faith again in Acts 26 when he is before King Agrippa. Paul shares his testimony and the gospel, calling for repentance and turning to God. Festus said, “Paul, you are out of your mind… (26:24)” Paul continues to reason to the point when Agrippa chimes in and says, ‘In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian (26:28)?’
The reality is that many people of come to faith in Christ through the work of apologetic ministries like Reasonable Faith with William Lane Craig, RZIM with Ravi Zacharias, or even through Lee Strobel’s work in the series of “The Case For…” books. Each of these ministries (and others not mentioned) regularly show that the gospel of Christ does not need to be accepted on blind faith. They all work to advocate that Christian faith is based on reason and evidence.
Church: as we endeavor to be obedient to the Great Commission, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, let us also endeavor to be prepared to reason with people for the sake of the gospel. May we not call people to blindly put their faith in Christ, without reason. As we engage people in this manner we will emulate Paul’s example.
The book of Acts has multiple instances of Paul reasoning with people. We are told in Acts 19:26 that, “Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.” Then we get to a scene in Acts 17 where Paul stands in the Areopagus and reasons with the Athenians about the unknown god. He proclaims the creator God of the Bible and the coming judgment. Yes, some who hear him believe right then, but many responded, ‘We will hear you again about this (17:32).’ Paul had to continue to reason with these men about the validity of salvation through Christ.
Paul had a habit of reasoning in this manner. We see Paul defending his faith again in Acts 26 when he is before King Agrippa. Paul shares his testimony and the gospel, calling for repentance and turning to God. Festus said, “Paul, you are out of your mind… (26:24)” Paul continues to reason to the point when Agrippa chimes in and says, ‘In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian (26:28)?’
Paul knew, just as we do, that if people are to repent and turn to God through faith in Christ they will need to hear the gospel and they will need someone to tell them (re. Romans 10:14-15). Nonetheless Paul himself, as he went proclaiming the gospel, also went defending faith – not blind faith but reasoned faith. Therefore, we ought do the same; especially in a culture that is becoming more and more intolerant of Christianity and its teachings.
Church: equip yourselves. Pick up a book by Lee Strobel in defense of Christ, Faith, the Creator, or Hope. Pick up a book like Who Made God? By Ravi Zacharias and Norman Geisler. Read Truth Matters or On Guard. There are a couple good starter books by Paul Little, Know What You Believe and Know Why You Believe. There are podcasts and videos all over the internet. Go to http://www.garyhabermas.com/, http://www.reasonablefaith.org/, or http://rzim.org/ and explore the wealth of articles, videos, debates, etc.
JUST DO SOMETHING to get in the game, get equipped, and get confident defending the gospel of Christ.
Church: equip yourselves. Pick up a book by Lee Strobel in defense of Christ, Faith, the Creator, or Hope. Pick up a book like Who Made God? By Ravi Zacharias and Norman Geisler. Read Truth Matters or On Guard. There are a couple good starter books by Paul Little, Know What You Believe and Know Why You Believe. There are podcasts and videos all over the internet. Go to http://www.garyhabermas.com/, http://www.reasonablefaith.org/, or http://rzim.org/ and explore the wealth of articles, videos, debates, etc.
JUST DO SOMETHING to get in the game, get equipped, and get confident defending the gospel of Christ.