We live in an age of a prevailing belief known as “Religious Pluralism”, which says no one religion (especially Christianity) holds the exclusive title to “absolute truth.” Religious pluralism says all religions ultimately lead to one nebulous God, the Creator and Savior of us all.
A Way or The Way?
Unfortunately today, those who believe in a first-century Jewish Rabbi as “THE way” are seen as harsh, mean-spirited, arrogant and backward. And who wants to be like that? However, simply swap that definite article (‘the’) for an ‘a’ and instantly Jesus (and His followers) become a lot more palatable to modern tastes. The Gospel aroma magically becomes more pleasant to millions in an all-inclusive world. One little word makes all the difference in a person’s beliefs about salvation, life and the life to come. It reveals whether you’re an exclusivist (a belief that only one religion is true) or a pluralist (all religions lead to God). Pluralism is prevalent in our culture and sounds like this:
- “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere.”
- “As long as it works for you and makes you happy.”
- “There is no such thing as ultimate (or absolute) truth.”
- “I believe there are many ways to God.”
- “It’s rude to say one person’s religion is better than another’s.”
- “It takes everyone’s truth to equal the truth.”
- “What makes you think your religion is right and everyone else is wrong?
Sound familiar?
It is now socially unacceptable to criticize another person’s religious beliefs (unless of course you’re slamming Christianity!). But keep in mind that, historically, ours has always been a creedal faith, meaning our beliefs direct and influence our attitudes and actions. As Christ-followers, we believe God has made Himself known through creation, our conscience and special revelation in Scripture. And He has never stuttered when He spoke, making His character crystal clear so that we wouldn’t mistake Him for any other so-called “gods”. And 2000 years later, in the midst of our culture’s buffet-style theology, Christianity still maintains that God’s identity isn’t optional (or even open to a face-lift).
Nothing New Under the Sun
The idea of pluralism is also nothing new. Way back in the Old Testament era, a diverse range of religious beliefs co-existed alongside ancient, monotheistic Judaism. Baal worship and various forms of Canaanite deities are systemic throughout the Jewish record. And it was in this world-view context that God spoke, clearly setting Himself apart from other deities and distinguishing Israel from other nations. A simple read of the Old Testament and one can see that God isn’t hip on sharing His glory with other belief systems or so-called gods.
“I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols” (Isaiah 42:8).
“…My glory I will not give to another” (Isaiah 48:11b).
And though Scripture claims the Lord does all things well, sharing His glory apparently isn’t one of them. He is decidedly intolerant on that particular issue. Interestingly, when the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians took Israel into captivity it was largely due to the Jewish nation’s worship of multiple gods, abandoning their allegiance to the one true God. Over time, it had become very fashionable to mix the worship of Yahweh with Ashtoreth and Molech, the cultural gods of Baal.
God isn’t a Middle School Girl
But God’s intolerance of rivals isn’t because He’s “insecure” or jealous like some middle school girl. God’s jealousy for His glory goes much deeper than mere human emotion or understanding. This guarding of His glory and an unwillingness to share the spotlight of praise is rooted in the essence of God Himself. The very nature – even the idea of God – demands that he has no peers. No equals. If the Bible is true, then Yahweh stands alone as God. By direct inference, this would logically mean there is no such thing as Allah. No Molech. No Baal. No Krishna.
So, do the logic. Either Yahweh is God or He isn’t. And if He isn’t, then every other religion or belief system on planet earth is equally valid – or at least on the same level as Jesus. Like your choice of music, food, clothing or lifestyle – it’s whatever works best for you. Personal preference and experience then become the path to paradise, not some irrefutable absolute truth about an invisible Supreme Being. Unfortunately, this preference for pluralism didn’t work out so well for the Jewish nation, resulting in painful and prolonged consequences – displacement, subjugation and slavery. And in time, they realized God was not the syncretistic, eclectic Deity who is one of many faith options.
No Matter the Fashion Truth Excludes Falsity
Fast-forward to today. What are people really saying when they affirm, “It doesn’t really matter what you believe as long as you are sincere and treat others fairly.” Does this make sense? Is it even rational? With a myriad of belief systems available today, it can be both confusing and difficult as Christians paddle their way upstream against the flow. As some postmodern theologians suggest, time and history has changed God’s character and what ancient Scripture says is true of Him. But the author of Hebrews (who claimed the Word of God was living) maintained, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 4:12; 13:8). The prophet Malachi wrote, “For I the LORD do not change” (Mal 3:6). Since God exists outside of time, centuries of history and the advance of civilizations cannot alter His character. . . or caused Him to warm up to the idea of pluralism. According to Scripture, there is still only room for One on Heaven’s throne.
Footnotes:
*This post is adapted from my book, The Fifth Gospel, Harvest House, 2014.
Recommended resources related to the topic:
How Can Jesus be the Only Way? Mp4, Mp3, and DVD by Frank Turek
Jesus, You and the Essentials of Christianity by Frank Turek (INSTRUCTOR Study Guide), (STUDENT Study Guide)
Another Gospel? by Alisa Childers (book)
Can All Religions Be True? mp3 by Frank Turek
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bobby serves as lead pastor of Image Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is well known for his YouTube ministry called, One Minute Apologist, which now goes by the name Christianity Still Makes Sense. He also serves as the Co-Host of Pastors’ Perspective, a nationally syndicated call-in radio show on KWVE in Southern California. Bobby earned his Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, his Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Birmingham (England), where he was supervised under David Cheetham and Yujin Nagasawa. Bobby’s also written several books, including The Fifth Gospel, Doubting Toward Faith, Does God Exist, and Fifty-One Other Questions About God and the Bible, and the forthcoming Christianity Still Makes Sense, to be published by Tyndale in April 2024. He’s married to his lovely wife Heather, and together they have two grown kids: Haley and Dawson.
Why People Love a False Jesus
Theology and Christian ApologeticsBy Melissa Dougherty
You know something I never see? I never see the average person say that Buddha was made up from stories of ancient pagan gods. Or that Gandhi was actually a Jewish mystic who was misunderstood. Or that Mohammad was an atheist. There’s usually only one historical figure that is distorted more than any other to fit whatever modern agenda they need at the moment: Jesus Christ.
You can get the identity of Buddha, Gandhi, Mohammad, and even other historical figures such as Alexander the Great or Abraham Lincoln wrong, and it does not have any bearing on what that means to you spiritually. In a manner of speaking, who they are is meaningless in this regard. But people would correct you in a hot second if you made a false claim about who they are historically. This is because it’s verifiable to see who these people were, what they did, and what they stood for.
So why do people not hold this same standard to Jesus, the one Person who can affect their spiritual standing before God? I believe there are a few reasons.
1. People Don’t Want Jesus to Be What the Bible Says.
If Jesus is who He says He is, and the Bible is true, then this has consequences. Does it really matter if Buddha wasn’t who He claimed to be? Not really. People might feel a little jaded, but they would believe that their spirituality wouldn’t be in limbo. However, Christianity is different. Jesus’s claim to divinity and the exclusive way to be saved has consequences for humanity. And, quite simply, humans love to run after other gods. They have to turn away from idols and self-worship to turn to the One True God who has the power to save. But that means giving up certain aspects of their lifestyle that are sinful they have grown accustomed to. It brings them death and destruction and they are blinded by it. Jesus says in John 3:19-20 that “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of the light because their deeds are evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.”
So people make another Jesus that likes what they like, believes what they believe, and approves of what they do.
2. Spiritual Warfare
I don’t find it to be any coincidence at all that it’s specifically Jesus who has all the attention when it comes to the variety of identities. Satan doesn’t care if you say you believe in God. Even he believes that. He doesn’t even care if you believe in Jesus. As long as it’s a false Jesus, one that has no power to save you. This is one of the oldest rules in the devil’s playbook: distort Jesus. His energy goes into fighting truth, not lies. Jesus says Satan is the Father of Lies and that it would be foolish for Satan to cast himself out because then his kingdom wouldn’t stand. He perpetuates the lies and does what he can to distort the truth.
Who cares about the other spiritual figures because they aren’t really his target. If anything, they’re his allies.
3. People See Truth as Hate
We live in an odd time. People don’t want truth. They want affirmation. This is true even outside of religious circles but also exists in casual friendships, families, and work acquaintances. I’m sure people have witnessed other people’s complete lack of humility and perhaps even a complete disconnect from reality, all in the name of “their truth.” They want their voice to be heard. And they make it heard by shutting everyone else up. It’s a grand level of entitlement that is sweeping our nation with a vengeance. So, when you speak up about Jesus and who He really is, as described in the Bible, if it hurts them emotionally or is seen as unloving, then they discard it because it’s hateful. Our culture has a strong view of truth: if it’s not loving, then it’s not true. This is how the average postmodern New Ager sees truth, too, by the way.
So, their guard goes up if they perceive anything that you’re saying as hurtful to them. Ironically, what informs this way of thinking usually comes from a place of hurt. But instead of looking at it as an obstacle to overcome and grow from, people now expect others to cater to their emotional needs with no expectation of themselves to take any responsibility to grow.
False Christ, False Gospel
Ultimately, when people deny truth and who Jesus is, they are embracing a false version of Him who isn’t going to save anybody. They might have some comfort in their denial, but it’s only a comfort that leads to destruction. Stop running from Jesus. Run to Him. Go to the Scriptures and read about who Jesus is. Let the Holy Spirit guide and convict you and lead you to the Living Waters, the Bread of Life, who will give you what you’ve been yearning for.
Recommended resources related to the topic:
Was Jesus Intolerant? by Frank Turek (DVD and Mp4)
How Can Jesus be the Only Way? Mp4, Mp3, and DVD by Frank Turek
Cold Case Resurrection Set by J. Warner Wallace (books)
Person of Interest: Why Jesus Still Matters in a World that Rejects the Bible by J. Warner Wallace (Paperback), (Investigator’s Guide).
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Melissa Dougherty is a Christian Apologist best known for her YouTube channel as an ex-new ager. She has two associate’s degrees, one in Early Childhood Multicultural Education, and the other in Liberal Arts. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies at Southern Evangelical Seminary.
The Deconstruction of Christianity | with Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett
PodcastPodcast: Play in new window
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What is this thing called “deconstruction” that has disrupted, dismantled, and destroyed the faith of so many people? Is it really a quest for truth, or is this radical spiritual makeover motivated by something else? As the deconstruction movement continues to grow in popularity, families and faith communities are often blindsided by individuals who leave Christianity and place the blame on “toxic Christians” or the allegedly “immoral” God of the Bible. How do you keep the line of communication open with “exvangelicals” and what types of questions can help foster meaningful faith conversations?
This week, our friends Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett join Frank to get to the heart of deconstruction and provide answers for Christians looking to tactfully engage people who have been swept up in the movement. During this podcast episode, they’ll discuss the inspiration behind their brand-new book, ‘The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, and How to Respond‘ and also identify some of the pitfalls that have led many to abandon Christianity altogether. Listen as Frank, Alisa, and Tim answer questions like:
If the deconstruction movement has come knocking on your door, this is the episode for you! As you’ll hear during the conversation, having a strong grasp on the true Gospel and a working knowledge of apologetics can help Christians to escape the draw to deconstruction. Frank, Alisa, and Tim will only scratch the surface in this podcast, so be sure to check out the upcoming midweek podcast where they’ll dive deeper into the consequences of deconstruction, its connection to critical theory, and the best way to communicate with people who call you “toxic”.
To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.
You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Tim and Alisa’s book: https://a.co/d/1MnXiDr
Alisa’s website: https://alisachilders.com/
Tim’s website: https://www.timbarnett.org/
Red Pen Logic on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RedPenLogic
Reality Apologetics Conference (Texas): https://www.realityapologetics.com/tx/
How to Evangelize Muslims | with Dr. Brady Blevins
PodcastWhat are the major “Do’s and Don’ts” of witnessing to Muslims? On last week’s podcast, Dr. Brady Blevins from Watchman Fellowship gave listeners some great advice on how to have effective faith conversations with Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses. This week, Brady returns to the program to discuss how Christians can effectively engage in conversations with Muslims about Jesus and the Bible in a way that feels natural and how researching their (sometimes difficult!) questions has helped him understand proper theology. He and Frank answer questions like:
As you’ll learn in this episode, effective evangelism is a lot more about gardening than it is about harvesting. Our job is to be obedient ambassadors for Christ by interacting positively with the people He puts on our path (or on our doorstep!) and letting Him handle the rest. You’ll also discover that there is no one better to help us on this mission of interfaith apologetics than Brady, as he shares stories from many of the fascinating conversations he’s had with his Muslim friends over the past 10-15 years!
Be sure to sign-up for his PREMIUM COURSE ‘Conversations with the Faiths‘ which starts on 2/5 to experience a total deep-dive into Mormonism, Islam, and JWs in addition to 5 Zoom Q&A sessions with Brady. Or, choose from one of the three self-paced options listed in the resources below!
To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.
You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.
Resources mentioned during the podcast:
Watchman Fellowship
‘Conversations with the Faiths‘ – PREMIUM COURSE
‘Conversations with Muslims‘ – SELF-PACED COURSE
‘Conversations with Mormons‘ – SELF-PACED COURSE
‘Conversations with JWs‘ – SELF-PACED COURSE
Has God Warmed Up to Religious Pluralism?
Theology and Christian ApologeticsWe live in an age of a prevailing belief known as “Religious Pluralism”, which says no one religion (especially Christianity) holds the exclusive title to “absolute truth.” Religious pluralism says all religions ultimately lead to one nebulous God, the Creator and Savior of us all.
A Way or The Way?
Unfortunately today, those who believe in a first-century Jewish Rabbi as “THE way” are seen as harsh, mean-spirited, arrogant and backward. And who wants to be like that? However, simply swap that definite article (‘the’) for an ‘a’ and instantly Jesus (and His followers) become a lot more palatable to modern tastes. The Gospel aroma magically becomes more pleasant to millions in an all-inclusive world. One little word makes all the difference in a person’s beliefs about salvation, life and the life to come. It reveals whether you’re an exclusivist (a belief that only one religion is true) or a pluralist (all religions lead to God). Pluralism is prevalent in our culture and sounds like this:
Sound familiar?
It is now socially unacceptable to criticize another person’s religious beliefs (unless of course you’re slamming Christianity!). But keep in mind that, historically, ours has always been a creedal faith, meaning our beliefs direct and influence our attitudes and actions. As Christ-followers, we believe God has made Himself known through creation, our conscience and special revelation in Scripture. And He has never stuttered when He spoke, making His character crystal clear so that we wouldn’t mistake Him for any other so-called “gods”. And 2000 years later, in the midst of our culture’s buffet-style theology, Christianity still maintains that God’s identity isn’t optional (or even open to a face-lift).
Nothing New Under the Sun
The idea of pluralism is also nothing new. Way back in the Old Testament era, a diverse range of religious beliefs co-existed alongside ancient, monotheistic Judaism. Baal worship and various forms of Canaanite deities are systemic throughout the Jewish record. And it was in this world-view context that God spoke, clearly setting Himself apart from other deities and distinguishing Israel from other nations. A simple read of the Old Testament and one can see that God isn’t hip on sharing His glory with other belief systems or so-called gods.
“I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols” (Isaiah 42:8).
“…My glory I will not give to another” (Isaiah 48:11b).
And though Scripture claims the Lord does all things well, sharing His glory apparently isn’t one of them. He is decidedly intolerant on that particular issue. Interestingly, when the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians took Israel into captivity it was largely due to the Jewish nation’s worship of multiple gods, abandoning their allegiance to the one true God. Over time, it had become very fashionable to mix the worship of Yahweh with Ashtoreth and Molech, the cultural gods of Baal.
God isn’t a Middle School Girl
But God’s intolerance of rivals isn’t because He’s “insecure” or jealous like some middle school girl. God’s jealousy for His glory goes much deeper than mere human emotion or understanding. This guarding of His glory and an unwillingness to share the spotlight of praise is rooted in the essence of God Himself. The very nature – even the idea of God – demands that he has no peers. No equals. If the Bible is true, then Yahweh stands alone as God. By direct inference, this would logically mean there is no such thing as Allah. No Molech. No Baal. No Krishna.
So, do the logic. Either Yahweh is God or He isn’t. And if He isn’t, then every other religion or belief system on planet earth is equally valid – or at least on the same level as Jesus. Like your choice of music, food, clothing or lifestyle – it’s whatever works best for you. Personal preference and experience then become the path to paradise, not some irrefutable absolute truth about an invisible Supreme Being. Unfortunately, this preference for pluralism didn’t work out so well for the Jewish nation, resulting in painful and prolonged consequences – displacement, subjugation and slavery. And in time, they realized God was not the syncretistic, eclectic Deity who is one of many faith options.
No Matter the Fashion Truth Excludes Falsity
Fast-forward to today. What are people really saying when they affirm, “It doesn’t really matter what you believe as long as you are sincere and treat others fairly.” Does this make sense? Is it even rational? With a myriad of belief systems available today, it can be both confusing and difficult as Christians paddle their way upstream against the flow. As some postmodern theologians suggest, time and history has changed God’s character and what ancient Scripture says is true of Him. But the author of Hebrews (who claimed the Word of God was living) maintained, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 4:12; 13:8). The prophet Malachi wrote, “For I the LORD do not change” (Mal 3:6). Since God exists outside of time, centuries of history and the advance of civilizations cannot alter His character. . . or caused Him to warm up to the idea of pluralism. According to Scripture, there is still only room for One on Heaven’s throne.
Footnotes:
*This post is adapted from my book, The Fifth Gospel, Harvest House, 2014.
Recommended resources related to the topic:
How Can Jesus be the Only Way? Mp4, Mp3, and DVD by Frank Turek
Jesus, You and the Essentials of Christianity by Frank Turek (INSTRUCTOR Study Guide), (STUDENT Study Guide)
Another Gospel? by Alisa Childers (book)
Can All Religions Be True? mp3 by Frank Turek
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bobby serves as lead pastor of Image Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is well known for his YouTube ministry called, One Minute Apologist, which now goes by the name Christianity Still Makes Sense. He also serves as the Co-Host of Pastors’ Perspective, a nationally syndicated call-in radio show on KWVE in Southern California. Bobby earned his Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, his Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Birmingham (England), where he was supervised under David Cheetham and Yujin Nagasawa. Bobby’s also written several books, including The Fifth Gospel, Doubting Toward Faith, Does God Exist, and Fifty-One Other Questions About God and the Bible, and the forthcoming Christianity Still Makes Sense, to be published by Tyndale in April 2024. He’s married to his lovely wife Heather, and together they have two grown kids: Haley and Dawson.
How to Evangelize Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses | with Dr. Brady Blevins
PodcastKnock, knock. Who’s there? If a Mormon or a Jehovah’s Witness comes to your door, what should you do and what should you say? As tempting as it may be, resist the urge to close the blinds and pretend you’re not home or even worse, slam the door in their faces. Evangelizing someone involved in a cult may seem hopeless, but what if God wants to use you (yes YOU!) to reach them with the TRUE Gospel?
What are the “Do’s and Don’ts” of witnessing to members of the WatchTower Society and the so-called Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? That’s what we’re addressing in this week’s podcast as Frank interviews Dr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist of Watchman Fellowship and instructor for our brand-new online course, ‘Conversations with the Faiths.’ During this podcast episode, Frank and Brady will answer questions like:
As you’ll be reminded during this episode, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons are not your enemy. But if you want to be effective in reaching them, you’ve got to exercise patience and prepare to have ongoing conversations with their members. And what better way to prepare than by signing up for Brady’s course, ‘Conversations with the Faiths‘? Class starts on Monday, 2/5 so enroll NOW and stay tuned for the upcoming midweek podcast where Brady will lay out the game plan for evangelizing Muslims too!
To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.
You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.
Resources mentioned during the podcast:
Watchman Fellowship
‘Conversations with the Faiths‘ – PREMIUM COURSE
‘Conversations with Muslims‘ – SELF-PACED COURSE
‘Conversations with Mormons‘ – SELF-PACED COURSE
‘Conversations with JWs‘ – SELF-PACED COURSE
Tackling the Top 5 Objections Young People Have to Christianity | with Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle – Part 2
PodcastHow can Christians defend the faith in light of today’s most common objections from young atheists and agnostics? America’s “best and brightest” have a bone to pick with God and the Christian worldview, which means evangelizing this demographic is of the utmost importance. But how can Christians effectively reach young people when factors like the problem of evil and the reality of suffering prohibit them from wanting to embrace theism?
Back by popular demand, Cliffe and Stewart Knechtle of the popular YouTube channel, Give Me An Answer, return to share more insights on how they tackle today’s toughest philosophical questions from college and university students. Does the truth of Christianity depend on how good (or bad) Christians live out their faith? Why is free will a necessary component of a moral universe? Is there biblical precedence for open-air evangelism? What effect has moral relativism had on the minds of high school students? All this and more will be discussed in Part 2 of this lighthearted but highly informative midweek podcast episode!
To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.
You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.
Ask Cliffe YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@askcliffe
Give Me An Answer (website)
Grace Community Church in New Canaan, CT
The Pulpit Apologist, Pt. 2
Theology and Christian ApologeticsIn my previous blog, I briefly unpacked five ways apologetic preaching can help the church navigate these challenging times, while also sharing four of eight points of what it looks like to apologetically equip our congregations today. In this post, I’ll briefly unpack points five through eight before concluding with a few final thoughts. That said, if we’re going to apologetically equip our churches, here’s how we can do that.
Fifth, set an apologetic tone that is humble and refuse to be a bully from the pulpit.
Sadly, many pastors have used this humility as an excuse to avoid apologetics altogether. But that would be throwing the baby out with the bath water. We can’t detach our pulpit presentation from our personal character. Apologetics in preaching is important, but we want to present a humble apologetic. As James Sire reminds us in A Little Primer on Humble Apologetics, “It is important to see that a humble holy life is far more significant than one’s ability to fashion and present a verbal apologetic for that life.”[1]
Sixth, it’s holistic.
Apologetics often has the reputation of being all head and no heart. But with a holistic approach to apologetics, it’s a head, heart, and hands endeavor. Many left-brain types of people love to conquer content, but the point of the content is to shape our character.
Seventh, apologetics can’t save anyone.
This point is a concession. As great as apologetics can be, it doesn’t save people. But it can erase obstacles preventing people from seeing the truth. And the good news is this. The Holy Spirit can accomplish more through one powerful encounter than we can through an entire lifetime of preaching.
Eighth, remember, the pulpit is not meant to be exclusively used for apologetics.
I’ve had many people come to churches where I’ve pastored only to say, “We want to be a part of an apologetics church” and I’m quick to reply, “We aren’t an apologetics church, but rather we are a church that does apologetics.” There’s a difference. Our faith is not only to be defended but enjoyed. There’s more to the church than apologetics. There’s’ community, service, outreach, and so much more. The church is the place to practice heaven on earth. And think about it. In heaven there won’t be a need for apologetics.
As I bring this to a wrap, the general principles we discussed might benefit from some specific preaching tips. Here are a few practical tips to remember for making your pulpit more apologetically mindful.
Footnotes:
[1] (2006; pgs. 16-17)
Recommended resources related to the topic:
Jesus, You and the Essentials of Christianity by Frank Turek (INSTRUCTOR Study Guide), (STUDENT Study Guide)
I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (Paperback), and (Sermon) by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek
Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl (Book)
Counter Culture Christian: Is the Bible True? by Frank Turek (Mp3), (Mp4), and (DVD)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bobby serves as lead pastor of Image Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is well known for his YouTube ministry called, One Minute Apologist, which now goes by the name Christianity Still Makes Sense. He also serves as the Co-Host of Pastors’ Perspective, a nationally syndicated call-in radio show on KWVE in Southern California. Bobby earned his Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, his Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Birmingham (England), where he was supervised under David Cheetham and Yujin Nagasawa. Bobby’s also written several books, including The Fifth Gospel, Doubting Toward Faith, Does God Exist, and Fifty-One Other Questions About God and the Bible, and the forthcoming Christianity Still Makes Sense, to be published by Tyndale in April 2024. He’s married to his lovely wife Heather, and together they have two grown kids: Haley and Dawson.
Tackling the Top 5 Objections Young People Have to Christianity | with Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle
PodcastDo young people today reject theism and Christianity for the same reasons as past generations? If you ask the average American college student why they doubt Christianity or God’s existence, you’re sure to get a range of responses. But are their objections grounded in evidence, reason, and rationality? Or are they allowing their emotions and desires to guide their unbelief?
Evangelizing college students is no easy task, but today’s guests have mastered the art of dialoguing with young people who have major questions when it comes to faith, morality, and identity. This week, Frank sits down with the humble father/son duo, Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle of the popular YouTube channel, Give Me an Answer. During the episode, Frank, Cliffe, and Stuart will answer questions like:
As you’ll hear throughout this conversation, Cliffe and Stuart take a head, heart, and hands approach when they evangelize on college campuses. This podcast episode is all about showcasing how to present both the love and the truth of Christ without (purposely) offending a potentially hostile audience. We know you’re going to appreciate what Cliffe and Stuart have to say, so be sure to subscribe to their YouTube channel and stay tuned for the upcoming midweek podcast episode where Frank will wrap up the conversation with Cliffe and Stuart on how to effectively engage young people through Christian apologetics.
To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.
You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.
Ask Cliffe YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@askcliffe
Give Me An Answer (website)
Grace Community Church in New Canaan, CT
The History of Modern-Day Israel with Bill Federer – Part 2
PodcastWhat are the historical and ideological factors that have shaped the modern state of Israel and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Religion, corruption, and even money laundering cannot be overlooked when having a nuanced discussion on what has happened and is happening in that region. But with the complexity of this ongoing war of ideologies and power grabs, where does the true solution lie?
During last week’s podcast, Frank and our guest, best-selling author and historian Bill Federer, walked us through some of ancient Israel’s history as documented through archaeology and in the Old Testament. This week, Bill briefly revisits the miraculous re-founding of Israel in 1948 and then gets into the weeds of many of the challenges that the Jews have faced in light of re-establishing their nation and protecting it from Islamic regimes that are dedicated to destroying Israel for good. Listen as Frank and Bill answer questions like:
As Bill ties up some of the loose ends from the prior podcast episode, he’ll take us even deeper into the centuries-long hostility between Arab nations, Muslim fundamentalists, and Israel. Part 2 of this series is sure to leave you with a better understanding of the significance of the October 7th Hamas attack, decades-old oil transactions, critical theory, and how they’re all linked to a long chain of antisemitic uprisings from past and present history. And just in case you missed Part 1, be sure to go back and check out the previous episode that aired on 1/5 so that you’re fully in the loop!
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Previous podcast (Part 1): The History of Modern-Day Israel with Bill Federer – Part 1
Bill’s book: What Every American Needs to Know about the Qur’an: A History of Islam & the United States
What Does it Mean to be “Legalistic?”
Theology and Christian ApologeticsLegalism. What do you think of when you hear this word? Some people might think of someone who is a stick in the mud. Maybe even someone who relies on the Bible too much instead of following their hearts. Some might think of a strict religion with lots of rules. Others say it’s a “spirit” of criticism and division.
I believe one of the best ways to define legalism is as follows: Legalism entails the establishment of man-made rules and traditions as the benchmark for what is considered holy and right. This is precisely what the Pharisees did, imposing an unattainable burden where almost every action and word is deemed wrong and sinful by these standards. For example, I remember someone giving me an earful when I decided to place my Bible on the floor because my purse had fallen over, and I needed to pick it up. Some people believe that placing the Bible on the floor or putting any object on it means you are disrespecting God. Muslims hold a similar belief regarding the Quran. I believe this is truly what makes the distinction between regarding the Bible as the word of God and literally worshiping it. It’s a holy book. We need to read and study it. But it’s physically just an object. This mindset causes Christians to hold impossible standards for themselves and others.
If the King James Bible was good enough for Jesus It’s good enough for me. . . right?
Legalism looks like instructing women not to wear pants or makeup, permitting only specific foods at certain times, and adopting a skewed perspective on holiness, just to name a few. I know this from experience. When I first became a Christian, I attended what I would consider a highly legalistic church. This church had numerous stringent rules, such as women being forbidden to wear pants, allowing only one ear piercing per ear, prohibiting tattoos, disallowing music with drums (which included movies or shows featuring drums as well, as everything was perceived as either demonic or worldly), insisting on the exclusive use of the King James version of the Bible, prohibiting the placement of the Bible anywhere other than on a table or shelf, forbidding writing in it, and even dictating how bright and colorful your clothes could be.
A Burden that’s Breaking People’s Faith
This is the essence of legalism. Many Christians would be surprised to know that this is a significant factor contributing to many people’s deconstructing faith. It is a burden imposed by people, not by God, which gives the perception of an angry and distant God who is perpetually displeased with you, no matter how hard you try.
Here Christians must understand the difference between holiness and legalism. They are not the same. Holiness is being set apart, adhering to God’s standards rather than conforming to worldly norms. Legalism tells you to strictly adhere to man-made rules, often discouraging critical thinking. This distinction is key. For example, questioning someone who claims to have received a message from God is not legalism. This is practicing discernment, which is what we’re supposed to do. It raises a huge red flag when a teacher refuses to entertain questions or scrutiny regarding their teachings or messages.
Where’s the Love?
True Christianity involves reading the Bible, comprehending its content, and obeying God out of love. This is a reasonable expectation for those claiming to be Christians. It does not however mean we have to become overly critical or judgmental. Excessive legalism lacks grace. Legalism is aggressive and accusatory. Jesus removes burdens, while legalism restores them. This reminds me of the animated version of “Pilgrim’s Progress,” where the character Christian encounters Legality Hill, a mountain covered in countless rules resembling the Ten Commandments. An angry god at the top of the mountain instructs Christian to follow all the rules to reach him, ultimately showing the impossibility of such impossible demands. This is one of the best pictures of what legalism looks like.
Jesus saved His harshest words for the Pharisees who were the poster children of the day for legalism. Listen, He did not denounce their good deeds, but rather their hypocrisy and prioritization of tradition and human-made rules over God’s commands. Don’t miss this distinction. Many religious denominations, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and various Word of Faith teachings, adopt a works-based approach, where salvation depends on your actions rather than faith in Jesus alone. Extreme legalism often comes from fear and pride. People are afraid of being deceived. And in that fear of deception, they may become ungracious and overbearing towards other people. Think of a helicopter Christian, trying to protect everyone from anything bad ever happening to them. They overdo it.
It’s essential to stand for truth, the Gospel, and the core doctrines of what the Bible teaches, it is equally important not to impose an unreasonable burden on others without extending grace. Love doesn’t mean we’re pushovers. It means we speak truth. But we’re wise and discerning and not overbearing jerks about it. We’d be wise to remember the message in 1 Corinthians 13 about love. Without speaking and acting in love, our words become mere noise, like a clanging gong.
Recommended resources related to the topic:
Jesus, You and the Essentials of Christianity by Frank Turek (INSTRUCTOR Study Guide), (STUDENT Study Guide)
Another Gospel? by Alisa Childers (book)
Hell? The Truth about Eternity (MP3 Set), (DVD Set), and (Mp4 Download Set) by Dr. Frank Turek
How to Interpret Your Bible by Dr. Frank Turek DVD Complete Series, INSTRUCTOR Study Guide, and STUDENT Study Guide
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Melissa Dougherty is a Christian Apologist best known for her YouTube channel as an ex-new ager. She has two associate’s degrees, one in Early Childhood Multicultural Education, and the other in Liberal Arts. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies at Southern Evangelical Seminary.