Is Love our Most Convincing Proof?

Is Love our Most Convincing Proof?

To make a good argument, it is vital to have true premises and valid logic. However, a good argument is not all there is to the Gospel message. There is also the evidence of love. Day-to-day the people around us (or in our social media circles) are watching us to see if we demonstrate an attitude of love and concern for others. Francis Schaeffer coined a phrase concerning the powerful testimony of our love for one another: “the final apologetic.” It is an approach that will always be relevant.

The latest Outreach Magazine volume focuses on evangelism and apologetics.  In my article, “Why ‘The Final Apologetic’ Still Matters,” I discuss the power of a two-fold approach to apologetics: strong arguments paired with demonstrative love. I also include why we cannot treat people as a “Jesus project,” as well as a caution to Christians who publicly criticize other Christians in a way that violates the teaching of the Scriptures they are attempting to defend.

From Outreach Magazine’s site, “In this issue, Ravi Zacharias echoes the words of the apostle Peter, urging us to offer answers in the power of gentleness and respect. Ed Stetzer
notes that Christians seem to really love evangelism—as long as someone
else is doing it. He states it plainly: ‘Stop talking yourself out of
evangelism.’ InterVarsity’s James Choung reminds us that the gospel implies words. ‘Actions aren’t enough. Actions don’t interpret themselves.’ Apologist Mary Jo Sharp
calls to mind what Francis Schaeffer called ‘The Final
Apologetic’—ultimately how we live and how we love underscores our
message or erases its impact. There’s a lot here to provoke thought and, by God’s grace, action.”

To get the issue click here.

Christians, Politics, and the Big Questions

Christians, Politics, and the Big Questions

Earlier this week, Ed Stetzer, President of LifeWay Research, posted the following tweet:

“Statistically, the unchurched lean heavily Democrat. So—and I know it’s just me talking crazy now—if you want to reach the unchurched, maybe constant Facebook/Twitter posts about how stupid Democrats are might be a bad idea.”

The tweet ignited conversation amongst Christians on social media: re-posting, commenting, approving, and disapproving. I didn’t re-post the tweet, but after reading his article expounding on the reasoning behind the tweet, I decided to make a few comments about Christianity and politics.


You can read Stetzer’s article here.

First, it is easy to talk politics on a basic level. Rallying around a party because it’s your party doesn’t take much consideration or thoughtfulness. Christians who constantly post on social media with an “us versus them” mentality may unwittingly convey that they don’t think through the issues at any level of depth. Being that we are followers of the greatest thinker who ever lived, Jesus Christ, this can lead to a misrepresentation of our Lord.


Jesus didn’t rally around a party. He saw all people as God’s creation and was broken hearted over the evil that was rampant amongst them. He lived in a time that was also politically charged—we are not special to that circumstance—yet he did not spend much time arguing the policies and practices. Jesus went deeper. He did what J. Gresham Machen described as “destroy the obstacle at its root,” (referencing 2 Cor 10:5). He addressed the sin in mankind, which is the root of the problems we face. [2]


Second, as Stetzer points out, these might be the people we are trying to reach with the Gospel.  I’m not saying that one political party represents lost people while the other does not. This would be a superficial understanding of mankind. However, if people in one party are statistically higher in labeling themselves as unbelievers, then it makes no sense to constantly attack them, when we are commanded to preach the good news to them (Mark 16:15).[1]  Take a quick inventory: What good news have you offered today to those who do not believe in God?

Third, when Jesus so thoughtfully answered the Pharisees, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s, ” he didn’t just avoid their political and legalistic entrapment, he also taught us an impacting truth about who we are in God. What did Jesus teach we should give to God? He said we should render to God, “the things that are God’s.” What do we have that belongs to God? The entirety of our lives belong to God (1 Cor. 10:31)! There is no compartmentalization of our lives into the party-politics-trash-talking room and evangelism-good-news-preaching room. This is a definite mistake.


The Christian should see the world through the lens of the teaching of God. Christ said that those who hold to his teachings will know the truth and the truth will set them free (John 8:32). To what freedom was Jesus referring? It is freedom from the slavery to sin (John 8:34-36), which conversely is the freedom to do what is good. Christians do not have to engage in politics like those who have no freedom from sin. We should engage the issues at hand thoughtfully, as would our Lord, recognizing the root of the problem, sin, is in the heart of every man. So we should be wise in how we approach the political realm, recognizing that politics are a huge platform for broadcasting messages of any kind; including the message of true freedom for all mankind.

We should also recognize that politics provide us with a great opportunity to discuss the most important questions of life: What is good? What is a human? What is justice? How should I live? How do we ground human rights? Every time a person discusses politics they are assuming the answer to a deep philosophical question, namely, “what is good.” People do not argue for their political view because they think it is evil and will do harm to mankind. They argue for what they think is good for mankind (or at least for themselves). This opens up a wide door to discuss how that person is grounding their view of good. You can ask, “How do you know what is good?” For a Christian, that goodness is rooted in the essential nature of God.  Now you have a conversation on a fundamental understanding of the Christian view of God. This is how politics can play a role in helping to spread the Gospel: politics can help uncover the grounding for an individual’s beliefs (and whether or not they have any grounding).


Christians, grasp the opportunity you’ve been given in this country with freedom of speech to use your words to “destroy the obstacle at its root.” We shouldn’t be silent with regards to political issues, but we should recognize the unique opportunity given by the political realm to speak life to mankind, as much as possible. Remember, we are all experiencing the pain and suffering that comes as a consequence of evil. We have the choice to participate in sin, furthering death and destruction, or we can speak words of truth and light, advancing redemption and restoration.  What is one change you can make in your political involvement to help show others freedom in Christ?

_________________________________
[1] For Christians who are of any party affiliation.

[2] Machen quote from J. Gresham Machen, “Christianity and Culture,” Princeton Theological Review

Siri: What Is The Meaning Of Life?

Siri: What Is The Meaning Of Life?

42?  Just one thing?  Meaninglessness?  
I was asked to write on the topic: “The Meaning of Life:  Does Life Have Meaning Without God?”  In A God-Centered Worldview curriculum, you’ll find my section along with other worldview topics. 
A big shout out to William Lane Craig and Nancy Pearcey whom I quote in my section!
I am
thrilled with LifeWay’s Gospel Project (Ed Stetzer, General Editor, Trevin Wax, Managing Editor)!  If your church is still deciding
curriculum for the upcoming months, I encourage you to consider the Gospel Project.  The core values of the Gospel Project: 1. Deep, But Not Dry, 2. Christ-Centered, 3. Story-Focused, 4. Mission-Driven.

But wait, there’s more

Are you ready engage worldview questions at a deeper level?  I invite you to consider Houston Baptist University’s Master of Arts in Apologetics:

Program Description

The mission of the Master of Arts in Apologetics program is to develop
students who are capable of serving their community and the Church
successfully in a variety of vocations, including academic, parachurch,
and ecclesiastical professions. The Master of Arts in Apologetics degree
is intended to provide students with interdisciplinary training in
apologetics so that they understand and engage with contemporary
worldviews and culture in order to transform the world for Christ, as
academics, as apologists, and as followers of Christ.

HBU’s MA in Apologetics is set apart from other apologetics programs by
its interdisciplinary nature and its engagement with culture and the
arts and humanities. Furthermore, the program includes a strong
component of coursework in writing and communication in apologetics,
designed to help students achieve excellence in writing, speaking, and
other forms of apologetics engagement. The degree includes a thesis
option, which is ideal for students who wish to pursue further work at
the doctoral level.

The “mere Christian” focus of the program and the ecumenical nature of
the faculty means that the MA in Apologetics is designed to serve all
parts of the body of Christ, and welcomes Catholic and Orthodox as well
as Protestant students.

MJ

DEBATE: Does God Exist?

DEBATE: Does God Exist?

When: Saturday, November 9th, 7:30pm to 9:30pm 

Where: Houston Baptist University*
Dunham Theater, Morris Cultural Arts Center
7502 Fondren Rd
Houston, TX 77074

Morris Cultural Arts Center:
https://www.hbu.edu/About-HBU/The-Campus/Facilities/Morris-Cultural-Arts-Center.aspx

Campus Map: https://www.hbu.edu/About-HBU/The-Campus/Campus-Map.aspx

Register here (space is limited)
More information
Download a promotional flyer here

Sponsors:
Houston Baptist University Apologetics Department
First Evangelical Church Houston
Reasonable Faith Houston
Confident Christianity
Houston Baptist University Ratio Christi

*Location has changed to HBU

Index Card Questions No. 2: Conversing with a Family Wiccan

Index Card Questions No. 2: Conversing with a Family Wiccan

Q: I have a foster daughter, whom has “left” her faith. She
now claims to be Wiccan/Pagan. She is very hostile and any tiny mention of
faith provokes wrath.


Up until now I’ve been trying to let the consistency of our
faith, the solid love we show her and patience reflect our faith. But my heart
grieves for her. Any specific ideas for [her]?
A: Thank you for your question. First, keep in mind that a
person who has straight up intellectual
objections
has no need of hostility. The intellectual objector is one who
has a truth claim question; they should not exhibit an adverse emotional reaction
to the issue at hand. A strong hostility towards belief in God would greatly
hinder a person from having an open mind that is willing to consider the
possibility of God’s existence.

However, in my experience, it is difficult to find anyone
who is a straight up intellectual objector to the existence of God. You may
find instead that she has a strong emotional commitment to her beliefs. If so, it
may be much harder for her to investigate what she believes.

My suggestion would be to ask her about her newfound beliefs as a Wiccan.
– Find
out what it is that she believes.
– Ask her why she thinks her beliefs are true.
This
is going to be a bit trickier than it sounds. She may question your motives for
asking. If that is the case, first, make sure your motives are as good as you
can get them. By this I mean that you are not out to embarrass her or show her
up. You must have a genuine interest in understanding her point of view in
order to effectively engage her in this conversation. If your motives are not
good, then neither will your conversation be good.

Ask her to name the source of her beliefs so you can read up
on her beliefs, this is specifically for the purpose of aiding the avoidance of
strawman building. Tell her that you wish to read the source for yourself so you
can learn about the belief and not misrepresent her view. Form some questions
based on this reading.
Ask her to support any statements you find in the belief
system that are self-refuting or inconsistent with the world we know.  I would ask this like Greg Koukl in his book Tactics, “Can you help me with
something….?” or “I’m not sure I understand this…..”
Basically, make the conversation about her views rather than
about yours. She may turn the conversation around to your views. If so, you
should provide some answers, but she must also provide answers. She is holding
to a view that also needs to be evidenced and reasoned.

I hope this helps you get started! I pray that your conversations will be
fruitful instead of hostile.

Thanks,
MJ

– Here’s an article on Wicca to get you started on understanding Wiccan beliefs, but don’t suppose this is necessarily what your foster daughter believes.

In Defense of the Bible – July 1st

In Defense of the Bible – July 1st

“In Defense of the Bible,” for which I’m a contributing author, released today July 1st! Woohoo! 

Other contributing authors include:
Daniel B. Wallace, William A. Dembski, Paul Copan, Darrell L. Bock, Craig A. Blaising, R. Douglas Geivett, Steven B. Cowan, Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Douglas K. Blount, Terry L. Wilder, and more!

In Defense of the Bible is a substantive and scholarly work. It provides a clear and comprehensive treatment of the critical issues related to the Holy Scriptures. This book will serve the church well.” – Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Check it out on Amazon and grab a copy.


Index Card Questions: No. 1

Index Card Questions: No. 1

      Sometimes, when I give a presentation, I’ll have the
audience write down their questions on 3”x5” cards. I do this for three main
reasons: 1) I can answer more questions when they are written down rather than
verbally asked; 2) The questions are usually more precise; and 3) More people
generally ask questions this way. However, due to the fact that more people ask
questions this way, I rarely get to answer all of the questions (I’m not sure
I’ve ever answered all these questions). So I am beginning a series called
“Index Card Questions” to answer some of the questions I missed at
conferences.  As my current schedule does
not allow, I will not be interacting so much with the replies or comments to my
answer. However, please feel free to engage in a courteous fashion.  Caveat: I will remove any comments that
include ad hominem, cursing, spamming, and trolling. The goal of the comments section
is productive conversation; if that is not the goal of your comments, then you
will most likely be blocked or removed.


Question #1: How does a person prepare for a degree in
Apologetics? 

A person can prepare for a degree by beginning to read some
basic works in apologetics. I recommend:
The Case for Christ Series by Lee Strobel, as well as all of
his “Case for” books

These will get you familiar with some basic objections to the Christian
worldview.
Then it is time to move into more in-depth works:
But don’t feel overwhelmed! You can read as many or few as
you’d like. I posted a bunch to give you many options. 
The other suggestion is to find out about university
programs. Make some contacts via their websites. Our program at Houston Baptist
University is brand new as of Spring 2013. 
We are currently working on a fully online degree that we expect to get
up and as early as the fall of 2014. The program is rooted in a cultural
apologetics approach, designed to be an interdisciplinary apologetics program.
We want you to learn the arguments, and to help you practice apologetics in
whatever field interests you.  For more
information on our program or to contact us visit: http://www.hbu.edu/maa 
Next question, same card:
Question #2: Do you speak to youth on this topic?

Indeed! And how I love to do so. Do you have something in
mind? J
This summer I am speaking at the Summit Ministries Worldview Camps for youth and at the 5 Words Apologetics Conference for youth,
but I will also be available to work with other youth groups and retreats. My
topics vary for youth, but I do a lot of training in conversational
apologetics: how to engage in productive dialog with friends and family on the
topic of God.
Thanks for your questions!

Question #3: Are your books available at Amazon? If
not….where?
My books are available on Amazon.com and also at LifeWay.com.  Defending the Faith: Apologetics in Women’sMinistry, Why Do You Believe That? A Faith Conversation, and my contribution to
Come Let Us Reason, eds. Paul Copan and William Lane Craig