A Defense of Christian TheologyA Defense of Christian Theology

ICECICECJohn Oakes, PhDJohn Oakes, PhD

6/11/106/11/10

Apologetics Course OutlineApologetics Course Outline Existence of GodExistence of God JesusJesus

Messianic PropheciesMessianic Prophecies Claims of JesusClaims of Jesus Miracles of JesusMiracles of Jesus Resurrection of JesusResurrection of Jesus

The BibleThe Bible Inspiration and InerrancyInspiration and Inerrancy How We Got the Bible, CanonHow We Got the Bible, Canon Contradictions?Contradictions?

History, Archaeology and the BibleHistory, Archaeology and the Bible Science and ChristianityScience and Christianity Christian and Other World ViewsChristian and Other World Views Defense of Christian TheologyDefense of Christian Theology

Problem of Pain, Suffering and EvilProblem of Pain, Suffering and Evil Free Will/PredestinationFree Will/Predestination The Problem of HellThe Problem of Hell

The most difficult questions:The most difficult questions: TrinityTrinity Problem of Evil, Problem of SufferingProblem of Evil, Problem of Suffering Violence for God in OTViolence for God in OT Problem of HellProblem of Hell

One Possible Response:One Possible Response: That’s the way it is and if you don’t like it That’s the way it is and if you don’t like it

tough for you!tough for you!

A Primer on World ViewA Primer on World View

One's world view is the One's world view is the perspective one uses to perspective one uses to process and interpret process and interpret information received about information received about the world.  the world. 

James W. Sire put it this way, James W. Sire put it this way, "A world view is a set of "A world view is a set of presuppositions (ie. presuppositions (ie. assumptions) which we hold assumptions) which we hold about the basic makeup of about the basic makeup of our world." our world." 

James W. Sire, James W. Sire, The Universe Next The Universe Next Door Door (InterVarsity Press, 1997)(InterVarsity Press, 1997)A Jain World

View

The Bible and Other World ViewsThe Bible and Other World Views

If Genesis 1:1 is true, then animism, polytheism, If Genesis 1:1 is true, then animism, polytheism, pantheism, dualism, naturalism, deism, pantheism, dualism, naturalism, deism, postmodernism and every other ism is false.postmodernism and every other ism is false.

Conflicting world views cannot be accommodated Conflicting world views cannot be accommodated with one another. Biblical theism is incompatible with one another. Biblical theism is incompatible with all these other world views.with all these other world views.

A “Good” World View DefinedA “Good” World View DefinedA. It is true.A. It is true.

It is consistent with reality. It is consistent with reality. It is consistent with what we know to be true from It is consistent with what we know to be true from

experience. It works.experience. It works.

B. It answers satisfactorily the questions people really B. It answers satisfactorily the questions people really want answered.want answered.What is prime reality/the ultimate cause/the nature of What is prime reality/the ultimate cause/the nature of

God?) God?) What is the nature of external reality-the world around us?What is the nature of external reality-the world around us?What is my value as a human being?What is my value as a human being?What happens to a person at death? What happens to a person at death? How do we know what is right and wrong? How do we know what is right and wrong? What is my purpose? What is my purpose? What is the nature of my relationship, with the "prime What is the nature of my relationship, with the "prime

reality?" reality?"

C. It causes those who hold to it to be better people C. It causes those who hold to it to be better people than they would otherwise have been if they held to than they would otherwise have been if they held to competing alternative world views.competing alternative world views.

The Christian World ViewThe Christian World View1. The physical world is: a. real b. created out of nothing 1. The physical world is: a. real b. created out of nothing

(ex nihilo) and c. essentially good.(ex nihilo) and c. essentially good.

2. There exists an unseen spiritual reality which is not limited 2. There exists an unseen spiritual reality which is not limited to or defined by the physical reality. Human beings have a to or defined by the physical reality. Human beings have a spiritual aspect to their nature.spiritual aspect to their nature.

3. The creator of both the physical and spiritual realm is the 3. The creator of both the physical and spiritual realm is the God who reveals himself in the Bible.God who reveals himself in the Bible.

4. Human beings have both a physical and a spiritual nature, 4. Human beings have both a physical and a spiritual nature, The spiritual nature is more essential as it is eternal.The spiritual nature is more essential as it is eternal.

5. God is not easily defined but he can be characterized by 5. God is not easily defined but he can be characterized by certain qualities. God is a person. God is love, God is just, certain qualities. God is a person. God is love, God is just, God is holy, God is omniscient, omnipotent and God is holy, God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent.omnipresent.

The Christian World View (cont.)The Christian World View (cont.)

6. Although all God’s creation, including the physical 6. Although all God’s creation, including the physical world is good, evil does exist. Such evil is the result world is good, evil does exist. Such evil is the result of freedom of will given to created beings and their of freedom of will given to created beings and their subsequent decision to use that freedom to rebel--to subsequent decision to use that freedom to rebel--to “sin” “sin”

7. Because of God’s justice and his holiness, those who 7. Because of God’s justice and his holiness, those who choose to rebel against him will ultimately be judged choose to rebel against him will ultimately be judged and separated from God for eternity.and separated from God for eternity.

8. The solution to evil, to sin and its eternal 8. The solution to evil, to sin and its eternal consequences is provided by God through the consequences is provided by God through the atoning substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ.atoning substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Christianity Offers Solutions to the Big Problems Christianity Offers Solutions to the Big Problems of Human Beingsof Human Beings

The Problem of Sin (the substitutionary death of The Problem of Sin (the substitutionary death of Jesus)Jesus) Romans 7:24,25Romans 7:24,25

The Problem of Suffering (compassion)The Problem of Suffering (compassion) Matthew 9:35-36 Matthew 9:35-36

The Problem of DeathThe Problem of Death 1 Corinthians 15:54-561 Corinthians 15:54-56

Hindu World ViewHindu World View

Maya. The physical world is an illusion.Maya. The physical world is an illusion.

Brahman. Universal soul.Brahman. Universal soul.

The goal: Nirvana; oneness with the universal The goal: Nirvana; oneness with the universal soul which is within yourself.soul which is within yourself.

The Hindu world view has man looking inward, not The Hindu world view has man looking inward, not outward.outward.

Evil is the denial of Atman—of God in youEvil is the denial of Atman—of God in you

The Four Noble Truths of SiddharthaThe Four Noble Truths of Siddhartha

Suffering is not getting what one wants.Suffering is not getting what one wants.

The cause of suffering is desire which leads to rebirth.The cause of suffering is desire which leads to rebirth.

The way to end suffering is to end desire.The way to end suffering is to end desire.

The way to the end of desire and of suffering is the The way to the end of desire and of suffering is the eight-fold path.eight-fold path.

Buddhism encourages dispassion, not compassion.Buddhism encourages dispassion, not compassion.

The eight-fold path to The eight-fold path to bodhi/dharma/nirvana/lack of sufferingbodhi/dharma/nirvana/lack of suffering

Right viewpoint (the four noble truths).Right viewpoint (the four noble truths). Right values.Right values. Right speech.Right speech. Right actions.Right actions. Right livelihoodRight livelihood Right effortRight effort Right mindfulnessRight mindfulness Right meditationRight meditation

Islamic Worldview:

God is very distant from mankind

In Islam, Allah determines everything, even who will choose to follow him.

2:142, 6:39 6:125

Inshallah God willing. It is God’s will that people suffer..

Islam: Salvation is earned through the efforts of those who were pre-selected by Allah to inhabit a very sensual paradise.

Christianity: Salvation is granted by the grace of a loving God to those who, through faith and repentance and baptism accept that love.

A Question: Who reaches out to whom?

Naturalism/Scientism/MaterialismNaturalism/Scientism/Materialism

The belief that the only reliable or valid The belief that the only reliable or valid instrument to deciding the truth or even instrument to deciding the truth or even the value of any proposition is the the value of any proposition is the scientific method.scientific method.

No basis for ethics or morality, no No basis for ethics or morality, no supernatural, no God, no truth (except supernatural, no God, no truth (except that found by science), no consciousness, that found by science), no consciousness, no “I.” Justice is a figment of our no “I.” Justice is a figment of our imagination.imagination.

Scientific MaterialismScientific Materialism Scientific Materialism accepts only one Scientific Materialism accepts only one

reality: the physical universe, composed reality: the physical universe, composed as it is of matter and energy.  Everything as it is of matter and energy.  Everything that is not physical, measurable, or that is not physical, measurable, or deducible from scientific observations, is deducible from scientific observations, is considered unreal. considered unreal. LifeLife is explained in is explained in purely mechanical terms, and phenomena purely mechanical terms, and phenomena such as Mind and Consciousness are such as Mind and Consciousness are considered nothing but epiphenomena - considered nothing but epiphenomena - curious by-products, of certain complex curious by-products, of certain complex physical processes (such as brain physical processes (such as brain metabolism)metabolism)

Postmodernism: The Loss of TruthPostmodernism: The Loss of Truth

Truth, if such a thing exists, is the property Truth, if such a thing exists, is the property of culture. There is no absolute truth. All of culture. There is no absolute truth. All truth is relative. It is created by societies. truth is relative. It is created by societies. There is no ultimate moral authority or There is no ultimate moral authority or moral absolute. moral absolute.

Doctrine of the TrinityDoctrine of the Trinity

Tertullian AD 160-Tertullian AD 160-220220

The Father and the The Father and the Son are different Son are different “not in condition, “not in condition, but in degree; not but in degree; not in substance, but in in substance, but in form; not in power, form; not in power, but in aspect”but in aspect”

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance (homoousios, of the same substance, consubstantial as opposed to homoiousios) with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Is this what we believe?

A Question: Who reaches out to whom?

InitiativeInitiative

Human approachHuman approach Truth Truth

God God GodGod

Mankind Mankind Mankind Mankind

Works Salvation: Man reaches out to God.

IslamHinduismJainaSikkhismGnosticismNew AgeBuddhism?

Salvation by Grace: God reaches out to man.

JudaismChristianity

Apologetics and the TrinityApologetics and the Trinity

Bottom line, the trinity is a mystery. We Bottom line, the trinity is a mystery. We cannot defend it as a logical concept.cannot defend it as a logical concept.

The “apologetics” of the trinity is that God The “apologetics” of the trinity is that God became a man so that he could reach out to became a man so that he could reach out to us—so that we could know Him.us—so that we could know Him.

The Problem of Evil: What is it The Problem of Evil: What is it and what is its cause?and what is its cause?

Augustine on EvilAugustine on Evil

When accordingly it is inquired, whence is evil, it When accordingly it is inquired, whence is evil, it must first be inquired what is evil, which is nothing must first be inquired what is evil, which is nothing else than corruption, either of the measure, or the else than corruption, either of the measure, or the form or the order, that belong to nature. Nature form or the order, that belong to nature. Nature therefore which has been corrupted, is called evil, therefore which has been corrupted, is called evil, for assuredly when incorrupt it is good; but even for assuredly when incorrupt it is good; but even when corrupt, so far as it is nature, it is good, so far when corrupt, so far as it is nature, it is good, so far as it is corrupted it is evil.as it is corrupted it is evil.

Sin is not the striving after an evil nature, but the Sin is not the striving after an evil nature, but the desertion of a better, and so the deed itself is evil, desertion of a better, and so the deed itself is evil, not the nature which the sinner uses amiss. For it is not the nature which the sinner uses amiss. For it is evil to use amiss that which is good.evil to use amiss that which is good.

Augustine: Evil and Free WillAugustine: Evil and Free Will

About Augustine: “Evil arises from the About Augustine: “Evil arises from the corruption of a nature which is essentially corruption of a nature which is essentially good. What is called evil is good corrupted; good. What is called evil is good corrupted; if it were not corrupted it would be wholly if it were not corrupted it would be wholly good; but even when it is corrupted, it is good; but even when it is corrupted, it is good in so far as it remains a natural thing, good in so far as it remains a natural thing, and bad only in so far as it is corrupted.”and bad only in so far as it is corrupted.”

““A man’s free will avails for nothing except A man’s free will avails for nothing except to sin.”to sin.”

Sin, Redemption, SalvationSin, Redemption, Salvation Augustine!!!!!Augustine!!!!!

The City of God The City of God SoveriegntySoveriegnty

Total depravityTotal depravity Monoergism (only God)Monoergism (only God) PredestinationPredestination Original SinOriginal Sin Infant baptism required Infant baptism required

for salvationfor salvation SacramentalismSacramentalism TransubstantiationTransubstantiation City and StateCity and State Opposed DonatistsOpposed Donatists

Augustine of Hippo (from 6th century)

Q: What is the nature of “the Fall” of mankind? Q: What is the nature of “the Fall” of mankind? What happened in the garden?What happened in the garden?

Puritans: “In Adam’s fall we sinned all.”Puritans: “In Adam’s fall we sinned all.”

Romans 5:12-19 What “death” is this in v. 12Romans 5:12-19 What “death” is this in v. 12

Martin Luther 1483-1541

Augustinian Monk

Faith AloneGrace AloneScripture Alone

Predestination

Ulrich Zwingli

1484-1531Opposed baptismal regenerationDouble PredestinationReformed Theology

“Those individuals who end up damned forever in hell are also eternally determined by God for that fate.”

John Calvin 1509-1564

Institutes of Christian ReligionHis emphasis: the sovereignty of God

TULIP

TULIPTULIP TTotal depravityotal depravity UUnconditional electionnconditional election LLimited atonementimited atonement IIrresistable gracerresistable grace PPerseverence of the saint (once erseverence of the saint (once

saved, always saved)saved, always saved)

Free Will: God Gives Us a ChoiceFree Will: God Gives Us a Choice

Why? Because he loves us.Why? Because he loves us.

The result: We rebelled and brought evil into The result: We rebelled and brought evil into the world. Is this God’s fault? What is the the world. Is this God’s fault? What is the

alternative?alternative? Deuteronomy 30:15-20Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Joshua 24:15Joshua 24:15 John 7:17John 7:17

Pelagius AD c. 354-430

Works Salvation?Affirmed the existence of free will. “Evil is not born with us, and we are procreated without fault.” Rejected infant baptism. Taught that we become holy through our own effort?

Thomas Aquinas:

“God, therefore, is the first cause, who moves causes both natural and voluntary. And just as by moving natural causes He does not prevent their actions from being natural, so by moving voluntary causes He does not deprive their actions of being voluntary; but rather is He the cause of this very thing in them, for He operates in each thing according to his own nature.”

In other words, Aquinas believed in free will and not a strict monergism.

Free Will, An Illustration: The Prodigal Son

Jacob Arminius

(1560-1609)

Opposed Reformed idea of predestination.

Are we Arminians?

Apologetics and Evil: What are the Apologetics and Evil: What are the alternatives?alternatives?

Dualism: Good and Evil in an unending more or Dualism: Good and Evil in an unending more or less equal balanceless equal balance

Pantheism: The physical world is evil. Evil is Pantheism: The physical world is evil. Evil is being tied down to the physical—it is missing the being tied down to the physical—it is missing the god-likeness in you.god-likeness in you.

Naturalism: There is no evil.Naturalism: There is no evil.

Postmodernism: Evil??? Postmodernism: Evil???

Determinism/Fate God is the cause of evil.Determinism/Fate God is the cause of evil.

Christianity and the Problem of EvilChristianity and the Problem of Evil

Evil is very much real. Quite indirectly, it is Evil is very much real. Quite indirectly, it is the product of God’s love. God loved us so the product of God’s love. God loved us so much that he loved us and that he gave us a much that he loved us and that he gave us a choice. We chose evil, and thus evil came into choice. We chose evil, and thus evil came into the world.the world.

Remember your alternatives: Remember your alternatives: Predestination/Determinism God is the cause of evil.Predestination/Determinism God is the cause of evil. Deny evil existsDeny evil exists Physical creation is evil, but you are GodPhysical creation is evil, but you are God An unending battle/balance between good and evil.An unending battle/balance between good and evil.

Question #3 The Problem of SufferingQuestion #3 The Problem of Suffering

Does answering the question of evil answer the Does answering the question of evil answer the question of suffering? Not quite.question of suffering? Not quite.

Causes of suffering:Causes of suffering: Sin/evilSin/evil Natural causesNatural causes God’s discipline on those he lovesGod’s discipline on those he loves

Pain and Suffering: An Apologetic Pain and Suffering: An Apologetic ProblemProblem

Agnostic: Agnostic: God of the Bible is completely good and loving.God of the Bible is completely good and loving.

God of the Bible is all-knowing and all-God of the Bible is all-knowing and all-powerful.powerful.

Conclusion: Given all the pain and suffering in Conclusion: Given all the pain and suffering in the world, the God of the Bible is not real.the world, the God of the Bible is not real.

Question #4 Violence and Slavery in OTQuestion #4 Violence and Slavery in OT

The critic of Christianity: The God of the Old The critic of Christianity: The God of the Old Testament is a sadistic, violent ethnic cleanser.Testament is a sadistic, violent ethnic cleanser.

1 Samuel 15:2-3 “This is what the Lord of Hosts says: ‘I 1 Samuel 15:2-3 “This is what the Lord of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amelekites did to the Israelites when witnessed what the Amelekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them along the way as they were coming out they opposed them along the way as they were coming out of Egypt. Now, go and attach the Amelekites, and of Egypt. Now, go and attach the Amelekites, and completely destroy everything they have. Do not spare completely destroy everything they have. Do not spare them. Kill men and women, children and infants, oxen and them. Kill men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

This is pretty tough stuff!This is pretty tough stuff!

Response to the Question of Violence in Response to the Question of Violence in the OTthe OT

If you are not bothered by this on some level, I am If you are not bothered by this on some level, I am worried about you!worried about you!

The argument assumes that physical death is The argument assumes that physical death is bad/evil. This is a false assumption. Sin is evil but bad/evil. This is a false assumption. Sin is evil but death is not. Death is a transition, hopefully, to death is not. Death is a transition, hopefully, to something better.something better.

God has a perfect right to judge—not us.God has a perfect right to judge—not us.

There is the issue of the religion of the Amelekites. There is the issue of the religion of the Amelekites. Sacrificing of children in fire, worshipping gods by Sacrificing of children in fire, worshipping gods by having sex with a prostitute in the temple, etc.having sex with a prostitute in the temple, etc.

The situation for the children in this situation was The situation for the children in this situation was hopeless.hopeless.

Violence in the OT (cont.)Violence in the OT (cont.)

In the case of Amelek and other Canaanites, both God’s In the case of Amelek and other Canaanites, both God’s love and his justice demanded that something be done.love and his justice demanded that something be done.

Either God was going to create a nation or he was not. Either God was going to create a nation or he was not. If God is going to have a “people,” then such people If God is going to have a “people,” then such people must have a physical land and must have an army.must have a physical land and must have an army. God’s plan is to choose a man, then a nation, through God’s plan is to choose a man, then a nation, through

whom to send a savior. God’s plan to bless humanity whom to send a savior. God’s plan to bless humanity through Jesus trumps all else.through Jesus trumps all else.

It is sinful to take the life of another in anger, out of greed It is sinful to take the life of another in anger, out of greed or selfishness, but it is not necessarily sinful to take a life or selfishness, but it is not necessarily sinful to take a life in war.in war.

Everything God did to Israel as a nation was to limit Everything God did to Israel as a nation was to limit their ability to wage war.their ability to wage war. No authority to establish an empire.No authority to establish an empire. No standing army.No standing army. No cruelty, no abuse, no rapeNo cruelty, no abuse, no rape

The Problem of Slavery in the OTThe Problem of Slavery in the OT First, let us acknowledge that, on some level, God First, let us acknowledge that, on some level, God

legislating slavery is troubling.legislating slavery is troubling.

God accommodated rather than approved slavery.God accommodated rather than approved slavery.

All of God’s regulations with regard to slavery were to All of God’s regulations with regard to slavery were to limit it. (Eph 6:9)limit it. (Eph 6:9) Slaves could not be bought and sold.Slaves could not be bought and sold. Humane treatment. Deuteronomy 23:15, Leviticus 25:14Humane treatment. Deuteronomy 23:15, Leviticus 25:14 All slaves were eventually given their freedom at the All slaves were eventually given their freedom at the

Jubilee year.Jubilee year.

God is not concerned with physical slavery nearly so God is not concerned with physical slavery nearly so much as spiritual slavery.much as spiritual slavery.

Nevertheless, Paul asked Philemon to free his slave Nevertheless, Paul asked Philemon to free his slave Onesimus in an inspired passage.Onesimus in an inspired passage.

William Wilberforce. It was Christian influence which William Wilberforce. It was Christian influence which ended the slave trade world wide.ended the slave trade world wide.

The Problem of HellThe Problem of Hell Romans 3:10f There is no one righteous, not even Romans 3:10f There is no one righteous, not even

one.one.

Revelation 20:15 If anyone’s name was not found Revelation 20:15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Rev 21:8 …the fiery lake of burning sulfur. of fire. Rev 21:8 …the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. Rev 20:10 … They will be This is the second death. Rev 20:10 … They will be tormented day and night for even and ever.tormented day and night for even and ever.

Does God choose to send us to hell? No! We choose Does God choose to send us to hell? No! We choose hell and God, in his justice, accepts our decision.hell and God, in his justice, accepts our decision.

Is suffering in hell literally eternal? Is joy in heaven Is suffering in hell literally eternal? Is joy in heaven literally eternal?literally eternal?

Attributes of GodAttributes of God EternalEternal OmnipresentOmnipresent OmniscientOmniscient OmnipotentOmnipotent Righteous, HolyRighteous, Holy LoveLove JusticeJustice

God is not merely loving, he is loveGod is not merely loving, he is loveGod, in his awesomeness is fully love and fully God, in his awesomeness is fully love and fully

justjust

Love and JusticeLove and Justice For God so loved the world…For God so loved the world…

The wages of sin is death Rom 6:23The wages of sin is death Rom 6:23 The law of sin and death Rom 8:2The law of sin and death Rom 8:2

We like God’s love, but we are not so fired We like God’s love, but we are not so fired up about his justice.up about his justice.

When we reach heaven, we will understand When we reach heaven, we will understand and fully appreciate, on an emotional level, and fully appreciate, on an emotional level, God’s justice. Rev 11:17-18 Rev 16:5-6 God’s justice. Rev 11:17-18 Rev 16:5-6 The elders are thankful that God’s The elders are thankful that God’s judgement has finally come. You are just, O judgement has finally come. You are just, O God.God.

Psalm 94:1-3 David How long, O LordPsalm 94:1-3 David How long, O Lord

Here is the Good NewsHere is the Good News

God’s love met God’s justice at the cross. God’s love met God’s justice at the cross. As far as we are concerned, love won.As far as we are concerned, love won.

Romans 3:21-26Romans 3:21-26