Apologetics short article

Extracted from Daily Apologetics Dose (D-A-D), Glory Apologetics facebook page

1. Divorce

Divorce is a very difficult issue. Scripture is clear that God Himself created the institution of marriage, and He intended it to be permanent (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-6). Divorce was never a part of God’s original plan. In fact, God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). The marriage relationship was intended to be dissolved only when one of the marriage partners died (Romans 7:1-4; 1 Corinthians 7:8-9; 1 Timothy 5:14).

When sin entered the world, it affected God’s ideal in marriage and many other things. Scripture tells us that even though divorce was not God’s ideal, He nevertheless allowed it because of man’s sinfulness (Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Matthew 19:7-8).

From a biblical perspective, divorce is allowable only under two circumstances: when one of the marriage partners is unfaithful (Matthew 19:9), and when the unbelieving partner deserts the believing partner (1 Corinthians 7:15-16). Divorce for any other reason is a violation of God’s ideal.

Even in cases in which a person has biblical grounds for divorce, God’s desire is that the innocent person, if at all possible, forgive the offending spouse and be reconciled to him or her. This follows from God’s command to forgive others of their wrongs toward us (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).

Pearl of Wisdom: God forgives us of all our sins—including the sin of divorce (Colossians 2:13). However, we may still experience the painful consequences of our actions. Violating God’s ideal brings a heavy price.

2. Suicide

Issues of life and death lie in the sovereign hands of God alone. Job acknowledged to God, “[man’s] days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass” (Job 14:5). David likewise acknowledged to God, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16 NIV).

Suicide certainly violates God’s commandments. The sixth commandment instructs, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). This command is based on the fact that human beings were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Moreover, the command itself has no direct object. It doesn’t say, “You shall not murder someone else.” It simply says, “You shall not murder.” The prohibition thus includes not only murdering someone else but also murdering oneself.

The lives of certain biblical saints are instructive on the issue of suicide. Paul, for example, went through extremely tough times: “We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8; see also 1 Kings 19:4). Nevertheless, Paul did not succumb to breaking God’s commandment against murder and commit suicide. He depended on God, and God came through and sustained him. We must follow Paul’s example.

Pearl of Wisdom: You have probably heard people say that God helps those who help themselves. The truth is, God helps the helpless. Trust Him when life throws you a punch.

3. Capital Punishment

In Genesis 9:6, capital punishment is instituted in view of the sanctity of human life. The basis for this severe punishment is the fact that human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). The idea in Genesis 9:6 seems to be that human beings are so valuable as individuals that anyone who tampers with their sacred right to live must face the consequences of losing his or her own life. Moreover, murdering a human being is an outrage against the sovereign God who created humanity.

The death penalty was incorporated into the Mosaic code (Exodus 21:12; Numbers 35:16-31). As well, in Romans 13:1-7 the apostle Paul taught that human government has a God-given right to use force in its resistance of evil. Romans 13:4 specifically indicates that the government has the right to take the life of a criminal. Second Peter 2:13 indicates that the government is authorized to punish those who do evil, and capital punishment is evidently one of the means of accomplishing this. This threat of capital punishment constitutes a deterrent to crime.

The Ten Commandments include a prohibition against murder (Exodus 20:13). However, murder by a citizen and execution by a government are two different things in Scripture. One is a premeditated crime; the other is a deserved punishment.

Pearl of Wisdom: Government is set up by God (Romans 13:1-7), so capital punishment is the enacting of divine judgment through the instrumentality of government.

4. Civil Disobedience

This issue calls for caution and balance. The Bible encourages us to obey the government unless the government requires us to disobey God’s laws. Let’s look at a few details.

Paul commanded believers to be submissive to the government because authority is ordained of God (Romans 13:1-7). Paul said resistance to government is resistance against God (verse 2). Government, Paul indicated, resists evil (verse 4). Even after the Roman government imprisoned him several times, Paul taught believers to obey the government.

Despite this, Scripture also indicates that when the government commands believers to go against God’s commands, they must obey God rather than the government. After being commanded by the Sanhedrin not to preach any further, “Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men’” (Acts 5:29).

This is also illustrated in the book of Daniel. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego righteously disobeyed the king when they were commanded to worship the golden image (Daniel 3). Daniel also righteously disobeyed the government when it commanded him to stop praying to God (Daniel 6). In both cases, God confirmed that they had made the right choice by delivering them from their punishment.

Pearl of Wisdom: Always obey God. No exceptions. Always obey government. One exception—when obeying government causes you to disobey God.

5. Lying

Some critics allege that God condoned lying in Old Testament times. This is a false accusation.

Scripture forbids lying (Exodus 20:16; Leviticus 19:11), passing along false reports (Exodus 23:1), and testifying falsely (Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 5:20). We are assured that liars will not go unpunished (Proverbs 19:9; 21:28). Lying is viewed as a sin (Psalm 59:12) and is considered an abomination to God (Proverbs 12:22), for God abhors falsehood (Psalm 119:163). Scripture also affirms what, to many, is obvious: “God is not man that he should lie” (Numbers 23:19).

But some people point to 2 Chronicles 18:20-21, where we are told that God permitted the activity of a “lying spirit.” Of course, what God causes and what He allows are two different things. God allowed Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden, but He did not cause it. God allowed Lucifer’s rebellion against Him, but He did not cause it. God allowed Ananias and Sapphira to lie to Peter, but He did not cause them to do so.

Likewise, 2 Chronicles 18:20-21 reveals that God permitted the activity of a lying spirit, but He did not cause the spirit to engage in this activity. As boggling as it is to the human mind, God is able to bring good even out of the freewill, evil acts of others (Romans 8:28).

Pearl of Wisdom: The triune God is full of truth—the Father (Psalm 31:5), the Son (John 14:16), and the Holy Spirit (John 14:17).

6. Permissible but Not Necessarily Beneficial

Drunkenness, of course, is forbidden by God. It is simply not an option for the Christian. In Ephesians 5:18, the apostle Paul explicitly instructed, “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”

Drinking wine in moderation, however, is permissible (see John 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:3, 8). I should note, though, that in biblical times wine was typically diluted by a ratio of 20 parts water to one part wine—essentially wine-flavored water. Sometimes in the ancient world, hosts would go as strong as one part water and one part wine, and this was considered strong wine. Anyone who drank wine unmixed was looked upon by the Greeks as a Scythian, a barbarian.

We must all ask ourselves, though drinking may be permissible, is it beneficial? The following verses speak to this issue:

• “‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be enslaved by anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12).

• “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble” (Romans 14:21).

• “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Pearl of Wisdom: Being other-centered instead of self-centered brings a smile to the face of God.

7. Living Ethically

Salvation is by faith in Christ alone (Acts 16:31) with no works in view
(Romans 3:28), but God desires the believer to live a life of high ethics and good behavior. As Christians depend on the Holy Spirit, they are empowered to live the kind of lives that are pleasing to God (Galatians 5:16-24).

Scripture admonishes us, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12). Our walk is to be blameless (Psalm 15:2), and our obedience to God should be obvious to all (Romans 16:19).

We are to be “without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,” in which we “shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). We are to “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12).

God calls us to rid ourselves of such things as “anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk” (Colossians 3:8), as well as “deceit and hypocrisy and envy” (1 Peter 2:1). And we must keep a clear conscience (1 Peter 3:16), ever remembering that just as God is holy, so we are called to be holy in all we do (1 Peter 1:15). We are to take on the family likeness (that is, God’s family)!

Pearl of Wisdom: Ethical living can be contagious. Your example can motivate change in others.

8. Flex Some Apologetic Muscle

The word apologetics comes from the Greek work apologia (defense).

Apologetics—which focuses on the defense of Christianity—is seemingly a lost art in the modern church. Today the prevailing emphasis seems to be something like this: “God is a God of love. Let’s just love everyone. We shouldn’t challenge other people’s beliefs because that is unloving.” Contrary to such misguided notions, Jesus—love incarnate—constantly challenged (sometimes forcefully) the beliefs of those He encountered (see Matthew 23). We must follow His example.

Scripture provides us with role models in apologetics. Paul, for example, acted as an apologist when he gave reasons for the faith to both the Jews and Gentiles (Acts 17:15-34; 18:4). Apollos is another great example, for in Achaia he earnestly contended for the faith, refuting unbelievers in public debate and proving from the Scriptures that Jesus truly is the Christ (Acts 18:24-28).

Apologetics provides well-reasoned evidences that empower nonbelievers to choose Christianity rather than any other religion. Apologetics can be used to show the unbeliever that all the other options in the smorgasbord of world religions are not really options at all because they are false. Apologetics can remove mental roadblocks that prevent nonbelievers from responding to the gospel.

Apologetics not only provides a defense for the faith but also provides security to Christians. Believers can be sure their faith is not a blind leap into a dark chasm, but rather an intelligent decision founded on fact. Apologetics does not replace our faith; it grounds our faith.

Pearl of Wisdom: Apologetics demonstrates why we believe what we believe.

9. Faulty Doctrine Can Hurt

People can twist Scripture and cause their own destruction (see 2 Peter 3:16). We see multiple modern examples of this.

The Watchtower Society has long prohibited blood transfusions—even when doctors say death is inevitable without one. Jehovah’s Witnesses fallaciously believe that the scriptural prohibition against the pagan practice of eating blood applies to transfusions (Leviticus 7:26-27; 17:11-12). For this reason, many Jehovah’s Witnesses carry a signed card stating that they are not to receive blood transfusions if they are found unconscious. Many—including children and even babies—have died in this cult as a result.

Here’s another example. Larry Parker—under the influence of a teacher who took Scripture verses on faith out of context—stopped giving his diabetic son insulin, and the boy died. In remorse, Parker later wrote the heartbreaking book We Let Our Son Die.

The Jong Mal Ron (“end-time theory”) movement flourished in Korea in the 1990s. Based on misinterpretations of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and other verses, followers set a specific date for the rapture. They also believed that if a person was too heavy, he or she would not be caught up in the rapture. A number of pregnant women in the group got abortions.

Pearl of Wisdom: Bad hermeneutics can lead to human suffering. We need to imitate the Bereans by carefully and thoroughly testing all truth claims against the Scriptures (Acts 17:11).

10. Common Objections on Trinity: Answered

OBJECTION: If the Son and the Holy Ghost are co-equal persons in the Godhead, why is blasphemy of the Holy Ghost unforgivable but blasphemy of the Son is not? (Luke 12:10).

#RESPONSE: Anti trinitarians here make another category mistake. They confuse ontological Trinity (essence or nature) with the economical Trinity (works/functions). They think that Trinitarianism teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are identical as their function or position. But this is not so.

Scripture teaches clearly that the three Persons do have different functions—economical Trinity. The three Persons of the Godhead are coequal ontologically (in terms of essence or nature). But they have different functions and perform different tasks.

For instance, Acts 4:12 states that “there is no salvation in no one else.” So, does that mean that Jesus’ authority was superior to that of the Father because the Father is not included in the passage?
Or, in 1 Corinthians 12:11, when we read that spiritual gifts were distributed by the Holy Spirit, “as He wills” does this mean because there is no passage that says the Father distributes these types of sign gifts that the Father is not “coequal” or less divine than the Holy Spirit? Not at all, for difference in function does not equal difference in nature. Consider the differing roles that husbands and wives share in the covenant of marriage. Given the argument, are we to actually assume that because the husband is the “head of the wife” that he superior in nature than that of the wives (cf. Eph. 5:23). Or, even the differences in function between the employer and the employee, would one seriously see these differences in function as necessitating an inequality in nature?

Thus, as with the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the scribes were attacking the very Agent of God, the Holy Spirit, who was working through Christ: they said that Jesus was possessed by a demon (cf. Mark 3:30).

Here again, though, the argument actually works against the #Onenessposition itself. For if God is unipersonal, that is, one Person, how can anyone blaspheme only the Holy Spirit without blaspheming the Father and Son? Of course, Jesus did not say this, rather He clearly pointed out that blaspheming the Holy Spirit, not the Father or Himself, was an “unforgivable sin.”

~Christiandefense

11. Reasonable Faith

Some philosophy can help establish the truth of Christianity. For example, here are some philosophical arguments for the existence of God:

The cosmological argument. Every effect must have an adequate cause. The universe is an effect. Reason demands that whatever caused the universe must be greater than the universe. That cause is God—who Himself is the uncaused First Cause (Hebrews 3:4).

The teleological argument. The universe displays an obvious purposeful design. This perfect design argues for a Designer, and that Designer is God (Psalm 19:1-4).

The moral argument. Every human being has an innate sense of “oughtness,” or moral obligation. Where did this sense of oughtness come from? It must come from God. The existence of a moral law in our hearts demands the existence of a moral Lawgiver (Romans 1:19-32).

The anthropological argument. Human beings have a personality (mind, emotions, and will). Since the personal cannot come from the impersonal, there must be a personal cause—and that personal cause is God (Genesis 1:26-27).

The ontological argument. Most human beings have an innate idea of a perfect being. Where did this idea come from? Not from man, for man is an imperfect being. Some perfect being must have planted the idea there. Thus God must in fact exist.

Pearl of Wisdom: Some people claim believing in God is unreasonable, but the truth is that not believing in Him is actually unreasonable.

12. Philosophy Can Be Helpful

Many Christians today seem to misunderstand the apostle Paul’s warning in Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition.” The truth is, the Bible—interpreted rightly —is no more against philosophy than it is against religion. The Bible is against vain philosophy. Likewise, the Bible is not opposed to religion per se, but only against vain religion (James 1:26-27).

In Colossians 2:8, Paul is not speaking about philosophy in general, but about a particular philosophy that was apparently influencing the church at Colossae, which is usually understood as an early form of Gnosticism. This is indicated by Paul’s use of a definite article (in the original Greek), which should be translated “the philosophy” or “this philosophy.” So Paul was referring to this particular Gnostic-like philosophy that had invaded the church in Colossae—a philosophy that involved legalism, mysticism, and asceticism (all of which are antithetical to Christianity)—and not to all philosophy. God places no premium on ignorance or shallow thinking (see Matthew 22:37; Acts 17:17, 28,34; Philippians 1:16; Titus 1:12; 1 Peter 3:15). An awareness of the various philosophical disciplines can equip Christians to argue against anti-Christian philosophies (Acts 17:22-31) and use philosophical tools in proving the truth of Christianity. More on this tomorrow!

Pearl of Wisdom: We shouldn’t be reluctant to study philosophy, for it can help us refute error and defend the truth of Christianity.

      13. Human Life Begins at Conception

Scripture asserts that everything God has created reproduces after its own kind (Genesis 1:21,24). This means that following the moment of human conception, what is in the womb is truly human (see Psalm 139:13-15; Jeremiah 1:5; Exodus 21:22-24).

Some babies are born months before their due date, and even though they may need medical life support to survive, they are obviously human beings. Some babies born as early as the fourth month have survived! Does a simple change in location—from inside the womb to outside it—render the baby a human being? Such an idea is absurd.

Abortionists sometimes rebut that abortion is certainly acceptable if the child will have birth defects. However, this is not the issue. If the unborn fetus is a human being, no one has the right to take its life, regardless of whether it has birth defects.

Consider a child who is already born and has birth defects. Should we execute this child simply because of a missing limb? Of course not! If the unborn baby is a human person, then to kill the unborn baby is really no different from killing a young child.

Pearl of Wisdom: Human life is precious because humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26).

      14. Laziness

The Bible has much to say about work versus laziness. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, points out in Proverbs that the lazy person’s home and lawn are practically in ruins because he never works and sleeps most of the time (Proverbs 24:30-34). Lazy hands truly make a man poor (10:4), so he ends up with nothing (20:4).

Such a person has a tough life and suffers the consequences of his laziness (15:19). Yet he continually makes excuses to get out of work instead of working to make a better life (22:13; 26:13). He also acts like a know-it-all, not listening to the wisdom of others (26:16). This kind of person is a continual pain to employers (10:26). He is always chasing fantasies instead of doing real work (28:19). He may say he intends to do a good job, but mere talk leads only to poverty (14:23).

Solomon thus warns against loving sleep too much—it will inevitably lead to poverty (Proverbs 20:13). Drowsiness clothes a person in rags (23:21). A wise person works whenever work needs to be done (10:5).

Solomon recommends that we learn a lesson from the ant: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?” (6:6-9 NIV).

Pearl of Wisdom: Work hard, doing all things as if you were working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23).

      

      15.  Self-Defense

Self-defense may result in one of the greatest examples of human love. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). When protecting one’s family or neighbor, a Christian is unselfishly risking life for the sake of others.

To not engage in self-defense (or defense of others) is morally wrong. To allow murder to take place when one could have prevented it is immoral. To permit a young girl to be raped when one could have hindered it is an evil. To watch a child be treated with cruelty without intervening is morally reprehensible. Not resisting evil is an evil of omission (see James 4:17).

The basis for self-defense is similar to just-war theory and selectivism.
To not respond to a bully nation seeking to destroy or injure a less powerful nation or group of people is to fail morally. This principle is illustrated in Abraham’s battle against the kings of Genesis 14, in which Abraham sought to rescue Lot from these unjust aggressors. (For another example, see 1 Samuel 23:1-5.)

When Paul’s life was in great danger of being unjustly taken, he engaged in self-defense by appealing to his Roman citizenship. He appealed to the military might and protection of the Roman army (Acts 22:25-29). Nothing in the text indicates that Paul thought anything was wrong with such military defense.

Pearl of Wisdom: The Bible defends the concept of self-defense.

      16. Just War

War is justifiable only under certain circumstances. Seven principles have been suggested to guide our thinking. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354–430) enunciated many of these early in the fifth century.

• Just cause. Defensive wars are just; unprovoked aggression and attempts to plunder are not.

• Just intention. Revenge, conquest, economic gain, or mere ideological supremacy do not justify war. Just wars protect or rescue people from a hostile attack.

• Last resort. War is an alternative only after all nonviolent methods of solving disputes have been exhausted.

• Formal declaration of war by a nation. Terrorists, militias, and mercenaries cannot declare war.

• Limited objectives. The goal of a just war is never the complete destruction of the opposing nation. Hostilities must cease as soon as the objectives have been reached.

• Proportionate means. Only the level of force necessary to secure victory over opposing combatants should be utilized. Annihilation is out of the question.

• Safety of noncombatants. Every effort must be made to protect civilians.

Pearl of Wisdom: Just-war principles help minimize the death and devastation of war.