Evangelistic Apologetics
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Prolegomenon
Prolegomenon
Paul has been tried three times and not found guilty.
Before the Council in Jerusalem. (23:1-9)
Resurrection was on trial. (vs 9)
Found innocent
English Standard Version Chapter 23
Then a great clamor arose, and some of lthe scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, m“We find nothing wrong in this man.
Felix (Drusila)
Festus
Why is it important? We want to know what is expected of us so that we don’t feel blind-sided or caught off guard.
A Circular Family Tree
A Circular Family Tree
Herod, Agrippa the First had
One Son
Agrippa the 2nd
Two Daughters
Drusilla, who divorced her husband to marry Felix
Berenice, who was involved in a myriad of relationships, including an incestuous relationship.
Why is this important to us?
The self-centered, pleasure and comfort seeking environment that Paul dealt with is the same culture that we deal with.
The gospel message is antithetical to a hedonistic, self-serving, pleasure and comfort seeking culture.
Introduction
Introduction
Apologetics ἀπολογέομαι
Apologetics ἀπολογέομαι
Apologetics is a required class in seminary.
When I took it, the first week we had a debate on whether or not the practice of apologetics is evangelistic or not. Most agreed that it wasn’t necessarily an evangelistic endeavor. (Idea of an apologist: William Layne Craig, JP Moreland, Josh and Sean McDowell debating well know atheists. christopher hitchens, sam harris.
Kalam Cosmological argument, fine tuning of the universe, Divine Hiddenness, easy to see why it is academic
I’m here to tell you tonight, that, while apologetics can indeed be just an academic affair, it is, nonetheless evangelistic, and, I might add that just as we are all theologians, we are all apologists.
So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.
Acts
They were planning an ambush.
When I took it, the first week we had a debate on whether or not the practice of apologetics is evangelistic or not. Most agreed that it wasn’t necessarily an evangelistic endeavor. (Idea of an apologist: William Layne Craig, JP Moreland, Josh and Sean McDowell debating well know atheists. christopher hitchens, sam harris.
I’m here to tell you tonight, that, while apologetics can indeed be just an academic affair, it is, nonetheless evangelistic, and, I might add that just as we are all theologians, we are all apologists.
What is an apologist?
What is an apologist?
Simply put, apologetics, and more precisely, Christian apologetics, is a defense of the faith.
Defense, however, implies a reactive measure, contrasted with evangelism which is a proactive endeavor.
Evangelism: proclaim
Apologetics: defense
So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
We have seen three times, paul engaged in defending (not just himself, but the faith)
Before the Council in Jerusalem. (23:1-9)
Resurrection was on trial. (vs 9)
Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”
Found innocent
English Standard Version Chapter 23
Then a great clamor arose, and some of lthe scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, m“We find nothing wrong in this man.
Felix (Drusila) (Chapter 24)
Festus (Chapter 25)
Paul has been on the defensive.
So we have seen Paul engaging in defense—of his innocence against false claims.
Always done in reaction, or in response, to some external force or objection.
If apologetics is a defense, how can it be evangelistic?
How is apologetics evangelistic?
How is apologetics evangelistic?
Lets look at the objective of evangelism.
14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Acts 26:14-
Receiving of forgiveness is preceded by turning from darkness to light (repentance) which occurs after their eyes have been opened (figuratively, blind, now see)
So the objective of evangelism is: (Transforming Mission, David Bosch)
to proclaim salvation in Christ to the lost, calling them to repentance and conversion, announcing forgiveness of sin and inviting them to become living members of Christ’s earthly community and to begin a life of service with others in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Who are apologists?
Who are apologists?
Why are we apologists?
Why are we apologists?
To put this another way:
How do we do apologetics?
How is
How is
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Expect to give a defense.
Expect to give a defense
apologia
Evangelism is proclaiming, or preaching the gospel, with the end goal that people will receive faith through the hearing of the word.
Why should we expect this?
Expect to alienated a large segment of the population.
Living as a Christian may alienate our friends and acquaintances.Paul, on mission for the chief priests (vs 12) is converted.
Living as a Christian may alienate our friends and acquaintances.
Paul, on mission for the chief priests (vs 12) is converted.
So again the question, how is apologetics evangelistic? Evangelism is an implied offensive strategy where Apologetics is defensive.
Here is the answer: Look at Agrippa’s objection and Paul’s response.
Actually start with Festus in
24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
Acts 26:24-29
2 peter
And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
Acts
Paul’s defense, his apologetic, was aimed at conversions, not only of his primary audience, Agrippa, but everyone else who witnessed it.
Apologetics is evangelistic in that it should have, as the primary goal, to communicate the gospel.
Implications:
know the gospel.
communicate the gospel
- Francis of Assisi: Always be ready to share the gospel and when necessary, use words.
Knowing this now, how do we engage in apologetics?
How should we practice apologetics?
How should we practice apologetics?
We have seen how Paul has been thoughtful and respectful, to Felix, Festus and now Agrippa.
We too should be respectful.
With gentleness and respect.
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
Closing
Closing
Even our gentleness is an apologetic.
short or long, I’m trying to convert you and everybody within earshot should be like me (except for these chains)
The quickest way to lose credibility and undermine our testimony is to get defensive in our defense.
Argumentative culture. Christianity speaks counter to this present cultre.
The quickest way to lose credibility and undermine our testimony is to get defensive in our defense.
The quickest way to lose credibility and undermine our testimony is to get defensive in our defense.
on the other hand, being gentle and kind reflects the character of Christ, who is the one we are trying to defend.
If we are not gentle in how we present the good news, how will the good news be perceived?
Getting frustrated and angry is counter productive and is antithetical to the gospel message of peace.
Closing
Closing
So yes, this is absolutely applicable to Paul, to present day evangelists, preachers and professional apologists, but what about us?
The call to evangelism is for all of us. Just because you may not have the gift of evangelism doesn’t excuse you from doing evangelism.
We’ve already learned from Peter that we need to always be ready to make a defense.
We are also called to to proclaim the gospel, each and every one of us.
18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
2 cor 5:
All of us are called t
Expect that when we present the gospel, we are not just presenting it to our target audience, but to an even wider audience.
Illustration: Tithing, Ted Pappenfus