WHY WE KNOW THAT CHRISTIANITY IS TRUE?
WHY WE KNOW THAT CHRISTIANITY IS TRUE?
Over the past few weeks I had the privilege of having a discussion with three gracious men who claim to hold an atheistic worldview. When I told them that I was a Christian and that I believed in God because I believed it was true, they looked shocked. When I told one of them that if it were proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christianity was not true then I would not be one, I was asked why? I said, “Because it is not true?” He said “Why does that matter? Don’t you just have faith?”
It became obvious to me that he felt that Christian faith is not based on reason. In fact, it seemed to me that all of the atheists that I spoke with felt that those who chose to believe in the Gospel were choosing to believe in myths like the tooth fairy or the Great Pumpkin. It was shocking for them to hear that I was a Christian because I believe that Christianity is a factual faith. After all, Jesus was all about giving convincing proofs of the Gospel. After His suffering, He showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3 (NIV)
Over the next several weeks I want to very briefly share 12 points that show that Christianity is true. The technical term for what we will be looking at in these blogs is called “apologetics.” Apologetics is not making an apology for the Christian faith but it is having the ability to give reasons for what you believe. I mean if you say you believe the Gospel or that God exists or that the New Testament is true can you give a good reason? That is what Apologetics is about. So we will begin looking at 12 points that show that Christianity is true
I also want to share with you what I think apologetics can do and what I think it cannot do. I believe the role of apologetics in helping people “believe that.” In other words, apologetics can give a reasonable foundation to “believe that” God exists, or the Bible is reliable, Jesus rose from the dead. It can show that believing the Gospel truths is not a blind leap in the dark, but instead there are good reasons to believe it is true. In fact, every Christian is called to be able to give good reasons for what they believe. Here are just a few passages:
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” I Peter 3:15 (NIV)
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” II Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)
“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Jude 3 (NIV)
“He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” Titus 1:9 (NIV)
As followers of Christ we are called to know, defend and lovingly share the truth of the Gospel. The role of the Christian as an apologist is to help people see the reasons for belief in the Gospel.
Apologetics can help people “believe that” but only the Holy Spirit can enable people to “believe in” the Gospel. Apologetics can lead the person to the eternal water of the Gospel but it cannot make them drink. Just knowing all the right things about God does not save you. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.” Even the devil has orthodox views of God but is not saved. So apologetics is about helping people think rightly about God and gives good soil for the Holy Spirit to do His work. But only the Holy Spirit can enable people to “believe in” Jesus. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears…” John 16: 13 (NIV) (John 6: 44)
Therefore the goal of the next several weeks is three fold. First, to help believers understand the reasons we believe the Gospel of Jesus is true. Secondly, to help believers learn some simple tools in defending their faith in the Gospel. Thirdly, to give believers greater confidence in sharing the Gospel in the post-modern world in which we live.
Next time we will talk about why: TRUTH ABOUT REALITY IS KNOWABLE.
Sources:
Norman Geisler. Twelve Points That Show Christianity Is True.
Norman Geisler and Patty Tunnicliffe. Reasons For Belief. Bethany House 2013.
Norman Geisler and Joseph Holden. Living Loud Defending Your Faith.” B&H Publishing Group 2003.