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Grace Life Community Church. APOLOGETICS CONFERENCE: SHOW AND TELL. Where are we Going?. Where are we now : A look at who we are and how we think . . . AND WHY?!? The Big Questions Does God exist? What about Neo-Darwinian Evolution? Are there errors in the Bible?
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Grace Life Community Church APOLOGETICS CONFERENCE: SHOW AND TELL
Where are we Going? • Where are we now: A look at who we are and how we think . . . AND WHY?!? • The Big Questions • Does God exist? • What about Neo-Darwinian Evolution? • Are there errors in the Bible? • Why is Christianity exclusive – why are we the only ones who are right? • Theodicy – if God is Good and Omnipotent, why do we suffer? • SPEAK: A better method for apologetics- or, How to do apologetics without being sorry. • Q&A
So . . . Let’s get this party started Think about it . . . . . . A little survey What is the most important ideal to you? What is the most important principle in our country? In our culture – Western Culture. What does everyone strive for – want – desire?
DID YOU KNOW?.. There is a problem with the WAY you think . . .
A little test . . . • I say, • Bacon, Lettuce and . . . • Do, re, me, fa, so, la, ti . . . • “Money is the . . .” • “This girl is on . . .” • Ba-da-ba-ba-ba . . . • “You only need the light . . .” • “Only miss the sun . . .” • “Only know you love her . . .”
Maybe . . . ? • 2-9 = 7 • 3-7 = 4 • 2-8 = 6
How do I know these things? • There is a certain way that we think: • Not just what we think about • But, also . . . why we think that way. • Do you know why?
A quick flow of Western Civilization • Graeco-Roman Roots • Humanism – We are the beginning/middle/end of our reality • Modernity (enlightenment) – we got it! • Nihilism – Life stinks, there is no point. • Existentialism – what we experience/feel is what is true • Postmodernity – Relativism, Pluralism, Duplicity
Three terrible steps • Relativism – The Ideal • Everything is relative – no absolutes – no truth • This is only a half-truth, which quickly becomes a whole-lie • Things are relative, but to a fixed point, NOT all things in motion • Pluralism – The Illusion • All ideals are equal • No one is wrong . . . So no one is right. • “My truth”, “True for me”, “My life” • Duplicity – The Individual • “Put your best foot forward.” • “You’re at church now!”
Schaeffer said this . . . How Should we then Live & Escape from Reason
So . . . we could be in trouble It’s not just out there . . . It’s in here – the Church.
I said, “God loves you. Do you believe in God?”He said, “Yes.”
I said, “Are you a Christian or a Jew?”He said, “A Christian.”
I said, “Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?”He said, “Protestant.”
I said, “Me, too! What franchise?”He said, “Baptist.”
I said, “Me, too!Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?”He said, “Northern Baptist.”
I said, “Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?”He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist.”
I said, “Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?”He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region.”
I said, “Me, too!” Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?”He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.”
“You need to be your own person.” “What matters most is that you are true to yourself.” “If you just try hard enough andbelieve in yourself, you can do anything you want – you can be anything you want.” “Chart your own course.” “You need to make your own way.” “Get out there on your own.”
According to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, there are approximately 41,000 Christian denominations and organizations in the world.
So . . . we could be in trouble I wonder . . . Do you believe?
The Gospel in 10 Points • God is Creator • God created man • God created man with/for a purpose • Man desired another and said, “no” • Man got what he wanted • Man is now dead, in darkness and despair • In steps Jesus – our Substitute • Man is saved from God, by God – The Gospel Proper • The Resurrection is the HOOK • Believe in God • ***The Gospel continues because Jesus is our . . .
So . . . we could be in trouble I wonder . . . Do you believe?
Doctrine about . . . • Creation • Church • Devil • Resurrection • Heaven • Hell