THE DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL: THE NEED FOR CONSTANT RE-CALIBRATION
THE DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL
THE NEED FOR CONSTANT RE-CALIBRATION
Dealing With The Age Of Knowledge
The Age Of Knowledge Economy
The Age Of Elevation Of The Gift Of Garb
The Swiftness, And Therefore Ultimate Dependence On Tech & IT
Preparing A People That Will Escape The Trap
This is the Age Of Communication Revolution!
Daniel 12: 4 “…Knowledge shall increase…”
A revolution (Latin revolutio, “a turn around”) is a fundamental change in political power, social dynamics, economic or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time when the population rises up in revolt against the current authorities.
Revolutions have occurred through human history and vary widely in terms of methods, duration, and motivating ideology. Their results include major changes in culture, economy, and socio–political institutions, usually in response to overwhelming autocracy or plutocracy.
Examples of past revolutions
- Atlantic Revolutions
- American Revolution
- French Revolution
- Haitian Revolution
- Modern history
- Long nineteenth century
- Industrial Revolution
- Risorgimento
The Industrial Revolution, for example, was the transition to new manufacturing processes in the period from about 1760 to sometime between 1820 and 1840. This transition included going from hand production methods to machines, new chemical manufacturing and iron production processes, the increasing use of steam power, the development of machine tools and the rise of the factory system.
Social Theorists say that there have been three industrial revolutions.
The Third Industrial Revolution:
How Lateral Power is Transforming Energy, the Economy, and the World.The fundamental economic change occurs when new communication technologies converge with new energy regimes, mainly, renewable electricity.
I believe that it is quash Technical –Communication Revolution – Talking And Knowledge (IT, TECH, etc)
TED, GOALCAST, etc
You become special, celebrated and attract money by being a great Speaker, Orator, Hi-Tech man, Think Liberal Ideas that promise liberties, etc. In fact, you are invited everywhere!
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Romans 12: 1 – 12
“…which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,…”
==> Video Clip 1
1Peter 3: 15,16
“…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason … speak evil of you, as of evildoers,…”
Philippians 1: 1-3
“…inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. ..”
Verses 12-18
“… understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; … more bold to speak the word without fear.
…, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. … earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, …”
1:16, 17 Paul’s circumstances were for the “defense of the gospel.”
He wanted to make a formal presentation of Christianity’s authenticity.
1:19-20 Paul’s final salvation would come through remaining true to Christ in the face of difficulties.
Paul did not expect to be ashamed (lit. “put to shame”). Christians will be vindicated by persevering in the truth.
The Defense in Greek
= ‘apologia’
Strong: from the same as 626; a plea (“apology”):-answer (for self), clearing of self, defence.
ἀπολογία
apologia
Thayer Definition:
1) verbal defence, speech in defence
2) a reasoned statement or argument
A Related Word by Thayer´s/Strong´s Number: from the same as 1G626
“Apologetics” comes from the Greek word apologia, meaning “defense” or “answer.”
==> VIDEO CLIP 2
Christian apologetics is the practice of giving reasons that support the Christian faith and responding to objections raised against it. Apologetics contributes to the restoration of a view of the Bible as a source of knowledge of its subject matter as opposed to a source of true belief to be accepted by a blind act of the will. Christian apologetics strengthens the church by answering the critics of biblical doctrines and by encouraging the believer’s faith.
John 14:6 “I am the Way, the Truth…”
John 17: 16-18 “…Thy Word is Truth…”
The word “apologetics” derives from the Greek word apologia, which was originally used as a speech of defense. In ancient Athens it referred to a defense made in the courtroom as part of the normal judicial procedure. After the accusation, the defendant was allowed to refute the charges with a defense ( apologia).
There Are Four Functions Of The Calling Of Apologetics:
The first function may be called vindication or proof, and involves marshaling philosophical arguments as well as scientific and historical evidences for the Christian faith.
The second function is defense.
This function is closest to the NT in the use of the word apologia, which is, defending Christianity against the plethora of attacks made against it in every generation by critics of varying belief systems.
The third function is refutation of opposing beliefs.
This function focuses on answering the arguments non-Christians give in support of their own beliefs.
The fourth function is persuasion.
Going beyond convincing people that Christianity is true, but persuading them to apply its truth to their life. This function focuses on bringing non-Christians to the point of commitment.
Practical Research:
A divinely graced person is guided to devour books by atheists and Christians, peruse through scientists and theologians work, and study archaeology, ancient history, and world religions. The stunner is to find that Christianity’s factual foundation is a lot firmer than really believed.
Focusing on science, more recent discoveries have further cemented the conclusions the veracity of God’s Word. For instance, cosmologists now agree that the universe and time itself came into existence at some point in the finite past. The logic is inexorable: Whatever begins to exist has a cause, the universe began to exist, and therefore the universe has a cause. It makes sense that this cause must be immaterial, timeless, powerful, and intelligent.
Physicists have discovered over the last 50 years that many of the laws and constants of the universe such as the force of gravity and the cosmological constant—are finely tuned to an incomprehensible precision in order for life to exist. This exactitude is so incredible that it defies the explanation of mere chance.
The existence of biological information in DNA also points toward a Creator.
History:
History shows that Jesus, and Jesus alone, fulfilled ancient messianic prophecies against all mathematical odds. The New Testament is rooted in eyewitness testimony and that it passes the tests that historians routinely use to determine reliability.
The pivotal issue is the resurrection of Jesus. Anyone can claim to be the Son of God, as Jesus clearly did.
The question was whether Jesus could back up that assertion by miraculously returning from the dead.
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Ephesians 4: 17-24
“… walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity (futility) of their mind, …”
“… be renewed in the spirit of your mind; “
1 Corinthians 3: 18-21
“…For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain…”
Col 2: 18,19
“.., vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, …”
1 Cor 4: 1- 4
“…, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another”
Vrs 18-20
Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
1 Cor 5: 2
“And ye are puffed up,…”
Romans 1: 28
“…God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;”
2 Peter 3:18
“…, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. “
1 John 4:6
‘…spirit of truth, and the spirit of error”
Jude 1: 10
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
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WHO DETERMINES WHAT IS GOOD and WHAT IS BAD?
Think on these:
Psalm 105:15
Saying, Touch not mine anointed,
and do my prophets no harm.
Matthew 24: 14
“..smite his fellowservants, …”
Deut 27: 24
“Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen. …”
1Kings 20: 35-37
And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the Lord, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him…”
What is good?
Genesis 3: 5-7
“For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil….”
Who determines what is good or what is bad?
1Thess 2: 3-7
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
Isa 5: 20 -22
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil;
that put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes,
and prudent in their own sight!
Is Good God?
Do we know what is GOOD?
Heb 5: 14
1 Kings 3: 9
Matthew 16:23 Good Ideas VRS God
Mark 10: 28 Man’s Good Vrs God’s Good
The Reference Point!
Matthew 24 The End Time Great Deceptions
Proverbs 14: 12 NLT
Recall Lot in Genesis 12!
2 Corinthians 11: 3 I fear for you!
The Garden – Gen 2: 16-17 TEV
25,000 Various species of fruit bearing trees!
The Four Phased Strategy Of Deceit
Phase 1 – Focus on Restraints and Lack
Phase 2 – Negate the Word
Phase 3 – Twist or Pervert God’s Character
Phase 4 – Give the forbidden offer
James 1: 16,17 every good gift