Apologia Session 1-September 26th | Why Apologia? (Nate) Big Idea’s: · Why Apologia? Purpose of this series · Explore the theology and biblical doctrine of “apologia”. · Challenge your biblical beliefs and traditions to help you dig deep roots in doctrine and fellowship with Christ. · Define common worldviews and cults and have a holistic bible answer in response. · Try and differentiate between biblical truth, historic traditions, and false doctrine. Some common reasons people walk away from Christian faith: · Abuse within the church · Lack of intellectual response to critics · The moral demands of historic Christianity · Misgivings about the Bible · Secular philosophies · Legalism · The problem of suffering · If God is good, then why…? · Doubts that are discouraged or dismissed Unbelief vs. Doubt (Unbelief in this context, is a choice of the will to deny God and His biblically laid out plan for humanity. Simply put, you choose not to believe. Doubt is a hesitation in belief or a pause to consider something you are uncertain about. You can faith in what God says and still wrestle intellectually with the circumstances that speak contrary.) Have any of these have affected your faith? If so, how? What other factors may cause people to question their beliefs? Is this a good or bad thing? (Deconstruction of faith, crisis of faith, questioning of faith) What is Apologia? 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Apologia-Speech of defense, examine, judge, to investigate, enquire into, scrutinize, sift, question (specifically in a forensic sense of a judge to hold an investigation or to interrogate, examine the accused or witnesses) Apologetics (Gk: apologia, “defense”) deals with the protection of Christian theology from external attacks. Polemics defends orthodox Christianity from internal doctrinal threats such as heresy and aberrant teachings.[1] “For thou ours is a godless age, it is the very opposite of irreligious. The true believer is everywhere on the march, and both by converting and antagonizing he is shaping the world in his own image. And whether we are to line up with him or against him, it is well that we should know all we can concerning his nature and potentialities.” Eric Hoffer-The True Believer Why Talk About False Teachers/Prophets? Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. In the Bible they name them. Sometimes we need to name them. 2 Timothy 4:9-16 2 Timothy 1:15 1 Timothy 1:19-20 2 Tim 2:17-18 3 John 9-10 Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. · A false gospel? Someone who preaches a biblically solid gospel but misspeaks about portions of scripture is not preaching a false gospel. They are simply unaware. False teachers and preachers are teaching blatant heresy and another gospel. Romans 1:16-32 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Take Away: · In what ways may your faith be vulnerable to questions, doubts, or temptations? · Being faithful to God doesn’t mean we can never question parts of our faith tradition. · Is there anything in your religious tradition that has given you pause?  · Deconstruction is the process of “systematically dissecting and often rejecting the beliefs you grew up with”. In what ways can this process be healthy? Unhealthy? Additional Resources: · The Bible · A Good Systematic Theology Book · Alisa Childers Podcast -How to equip your kids to think critically about their beliefs. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alisa-childers-podcast/id1260262855?i=1000534372836 · Another Gospel-Alish Childers · Foundation Worldview Ministry Website: https://foundationworldview.com/ · Kingdom of the Cults Book-Walter Martin · Handbook of Today's Religion Book-Josh McDowell · Evidence that Demands a Verdict Book-Josh & Sean McDowell · Case for Christ Book-Lee Stroebel · Understanding the Times Book-Jeff Myers and David A. Nobel · Cultish Podcast on Itunes · What’s So Great About Christianity?-Dinesh D’Souza · Beyond Belief to Conviction- Josh McDowell · The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse- David Johnson & Jeff VanVonderen · The Second Coming of the New Age-Steven Bancarz & Josh Peck · Fault Lines-Voddie T. Baucham · Jesus Among Secular God’s-Ravi Zacharias & Vince Vitale · The Bible Vs. Joseph Smith Documentary-Amazon · Mama Bear Apologetics-Hillary Morgan Ferrer · We Believe (Survey of Theology)-Fellowship Church NWA · I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist-Norman Geisler and Frank Turek. · Mere Christianity-C.S. Lewis · The Pursuit of God-A.W. Tozer [1] Geisler, N. L. (2002). Systematic theology, volume one: introduction, Bible (p. 16). Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers.