When I first encountered a group of apologist on the internet I was really amazed and confused. They called themselves as The Bereans Apologetics Reasearch Ministry. These people has a forum on their website, where registered members may discuss matters of faith. Members of the forum consists of Evangelicals, Roman Catholic, SDA's, INC's, ADD's etc. I got really confused since I believe that debating is wrong and very unChristian. I believe that our focus should only read and preach the scripture and prayer.
With that frame of preference I still try to register into their forum site. I have also read the verses of this ministry.
Acts 17:11
11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
and
1 Peter 3:15
15 But in your hearts revere 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,
After reading the verses I found myself discussing and sharing the good news to the unbelievers and critics of Christianity. In this paper I will discuss the following.
I. Misconceptions about apologetics, dialouges and debates.
II. The advantages of engaging into dialouges or debates.
III, Some tips for a friendly approach in apologetics.
I. Misconceptions about apologetics.
Like what I have said above, it was my belief that engaging into a religous dialogue is a BIG-NO-NO to serious Christians. We need only to pray and share the love of God to others (without arguing with them). Some, if not most of Christians, misused or misunderstood Paul's letter to Timothy and say that we are not allowed to debate since it will promote controversy or speculations instead of truth.
1 Timothy 1
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
But by looking at the passage Paul didn't prohibit Tim to engage to a dialouge but on the contrary he admonished Timothy to do so. The basis of their controversy is not truth, not the Bible but myths. Paul is not prohibiting discussion perse but discussion without the basis of truth.
If you will read the gospels, our Lord engaged into discussion into the religious genuises of His day. Disarming the lies with the truth. If you will read John3 you will read a good point from our Lord in His discussion with Nicodemus.
Apostle Paul as well engage into discussions into his missions. We can read at Acts 17 the following words:
2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.
-Danes
11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
and
1 Peter 3:15
15 But in your hearts revere 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,
After reading the verses I found myself discussing and sharing the good news to the unbelievers and critics of Christianity. In this paper I will discuss the following.
I. Misconceptions about apologetics, dialouges and debates.
II. The advantages of engaging into dialouges or debates.
III, Some tips for a friendly approach in apologetics.
I. Misconceptions about apologetics.
Like what I have said above, it was my belief that engaging into a religous dialogue is a BIG-NO-NO to serious Christians. We need only to pray and share the love of God to others (without arguing with them). Some, if not most of Christians, misused or misunderstood Paul's letter to Timothy and say that we are not allowed to debate since it will promote controversy or speculations instead of truth.
1 Timothy 1
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
But by looking at the passage Paul didn't prohibit Tim to engage to a dialouge but on the contrary he admonished Timothy to do so. The basis of their controversy is not truth, not the Bible but myths. Paul is not prohibiting discussion perse but discussion without the basis of truth.
If you will read the gospels, our Lord engaged into discussion into the religious genuises of His day. Disarming the lies with the truth. If you will read John3 you will read a good point from our Lord in His discussion with Nicodemus.
Apostle Paul as well engage into discussions into his missions. We can read at Acts 17 the following words:
2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.
-Danes
diba yan yung website na napilitang isara dahil hindi makasagot sa mga alagad ng Iglesia Catolica? hahahahahaha
ReplyDeleteMr. Anonymous,
DeletePlease pakibasa po ang commenting rules, especially yung #10. Then we will answer your question.
God bless!
-Jeph