Apologetics Is Like Washing Dishes With Dad

Apologetics Is Like Washing Dishes With Dad

by Robin Wilson

2 Corinthians 4:6-7(NASB)
6 "For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves"

I have a wonderful father. Back in the 60's when I was a young child my dad often washed the dinner dishes for my mother after one of her fantastic meals. When I was little I would beg Dad to let me "help" him. Every parent knows the help of a 3 year old is not really help. My Dad would smile patiently, pull up a chair and let me "wash" the dishes. I didn't notice at first that he would rewash my dishes. Once when I caught him I asked why are you doing that? I already washed them. My dad would say he was just fixing a few mistakes so everything would be good.

People invested in apologetics have a burden for souls and sharing the Gospel. We desire to help spread the Good News of God's completed work of salvation through Jesus Christ. We study, we write, we witness, we debate, we speak, we take complex concepts and break them down, we use the Bible, science, history, archaeology, logic, reason and philosophy in creative ways to get people to "see".  But at times we lose sight of our place. We may think it is "us" that makes the headway when in fact it is God using our flawed attempts and then "fixing" them. God has allowed us to share in His work by witnessing, and helping each other, but it is He that draws the person, changes the person and completes the work.

I am so glad God allows us to work for Him and I am also glad God "rewashes my dishes" to make it all work out for His good and perfect will. All God needs is a willing heart with a desire to see lost people come to Christ and the the discipline to study His Word.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31(NASB)
The Wisdom of God
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”

20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

What a wonderful God that gives us purpose in life and despite our flaws allows us the "help" in His  perfect work.

by Robin Wilson

APOLOGETIC DISCUSSION: THE EDITH BUNKER VERSION VERSUS JOE FRIDAY

Apologetic Discussion : The Edith Bunker Version Versus Joe Friday

By Robin Wilson 

If you have watched these two old time TV shows you know exactly what I am talking about. A long story with lots of detail versus a short to the point conversation. Which is best? Or is there a "best"? 

It depends on who you are talking to. I consider Paul one of the world's greatest Apologists. Paul was such a wonderful choice as an Apostle.  He was intelligent, well educated, quick on his feet, bold, perceptive, serious, and adaptive. Paul used his perception to analyze who he was witnessing to and fashions his discussion to meet the needs. Paul uses both methods... the long story and the short to the point approach

Here Paul uses the Joe Friday method giving hard facts and evidences

Acts 17
Paul at Thessalonica
17 Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women.

Here Paul uses the Edith Bunker version with much detail and creativity to an audience that loves stories and details

Acts 17
Paul at Athens
16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. 17 So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. 18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming?20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.” 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)
Sermon on Mars Hill
22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ 29 Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” 33 So Paul went out of their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

As Apologist we need to care enough about our audience to adapt. Remember the words of God through Paul:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

By Robin Wilson 

Apologetics: It Tastes Like Chicken

Apologetics: It Tastes Like Chicken 

by Robin Wilson

Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Taste! What a wonderful sense. Often times when tempted with exotic meat the tempter who has already tried the meat will say "It tastes like chicken". The assumption is that everyone has tasted chicken. Let me assure you, frog legs DO NOT taste like chicken. They taste like pond water and yes I have tasted both. 

Having become a Christian at an early age I put my "God goggles" on and from that day forward have seen through the eyes of a Christian worldview for a very long time. As an apologist, I at first found it hard to take off these "goggles" and "see" the world from a godless point of view.  If you are sincere in your witness to the lost you will need to do this from time to time. 

As Christians we must remember that we have not only "tasted" the Lord to see that He is good but also "ingested" Him in our being by way of the Holy Spirit. You can taste something and spit it out, it is a whole other thing to consume it. 

Hebrews 6:3-6"3 And this we will do if God permits.4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame."

There are many people that have "tasted" God and have claimed to know Him, yet in reality they spit Him out.... never ingesting the Holy Spirit. As apologists we need to avoid describing our Lord in the terms that only Christians understand.  Remember these people may have never "tasted chicken" and have nothing to compare it to. Do not assume a person has "tasted the Lord".  

1. You may not be able to use  Bible verses with a person that has no respect for the Bible.
2. You may not be able to use terms that we as Christians understand the meaning of, like being "saved".
3. You may not be able to simply state how God has changed your life for the better and expect them to understand what you mean by this. 

Keeping this in mind and look for creative ways to introduce them to Jesus

1. Get to know the person and their background.
2. Ask them to explain why they are hostile to God. Let them talk and not respond until they completely explain.
3. After listening to what they say ask the Lord to guide you in your responses and don't check your brains at the door. This person has been placed in your path for a reason. God is willing to guide you.  Luke 12:11 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

You are not alone in this Great Commission. It may seem like a daunting task to explain the taste of chicken to a person that has never tasted it, but it is not impossible.  

Matthew 28:19-20
"19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always,even to the end of the age.” Amen."

By Robin S. Wilson  

The Bread of Life: What Is It?

by Robin S. Wilson

Ronny Cammareri: They say bread is life. And I bake bread, bread, *bread*. And I sweat and shovel this stinkin' dough in and out of this hot hole in the wall, and I should be *so* happy! Huh, sweetie? 

Here at the Holidays no matter what your religion is, every culture has special Holiday breads. These breads can be cultural, festive, ceremonial or just plain delicious. For all of human history "bread" has been a very important sustain-er of life. There are so many references to bread in the Bible and it's importance.

In the movie "Moonstruck" Nicolas Cage plays a bread baker angry at life. Years ago I won a trip to the South Pacific Islands of Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora in a cost savings contest run by the hospital I worked at. I developed a computer program alert system that warned of duplicate blood tests being ordered on the same patient saving the hospital and patients thousand of dollars a month. It was a great trip. My hubby is a city boy and was a bit homesick we were staying in grass huts on two of the islands but on Tahiti we stayed in a hotel with an "American Movie Channel" which played 3 movies over and over again all day 24/7 "Paint Your Wagon", "A Cry In The Dark" and "Moonstruck". When I think of bread I can't help but remember the above picture and quote.

Jesus used everyday life and elements of everyday life to teach important lessons. Bread was often the topic. Bread was an essential dietary item of daily life. After having feed the five thousand plus people Jesus was faced with the same dilemma we find today in churches .... people began to follow Him for the wrong "bread".... not the Bread of Life but for free food. These people just like people to day were seeking the WRONG bread. Just like the bread Ronny Cammareri was baking... there is no life in it nor happiness.

John 6:26-4 (NASB)26 Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” 28 Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” 30 So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them,“Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.” 34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.”
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him whosent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

What also strikes me is that these people were following Him due to the miracle of the loaves and fishes seeking bread and then they ask Him: "So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? " Not unlike people today that go to church to "get" the fleshly needs met and totally miss the Spiritual needs they have in lacking the Bread of Life... Jesus. It appears that the "Health and Wealth" gospel is nothing new under the sun.

Earthly bread keeps our flesh alive, but Jesus the Bread of Life keeps our spirit and soul alive for all eternity. Jesus is just as essential to Eternal life as food/bread is to earthly life. So this Christmas season as I eat my favorite Christmas bread, German Stollen,  I will focus on my Savior Christ Jesus who gave Himself for me.

Luke 22:19 (NASB)19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

"Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." (Luke 2:15)

CHRIST WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM, "THE HOUSE OF BREAD" (the literal meaning of the city’s name) Bethlehem, the “house of bread”! In Hebrew Beth-lehem is two words and means “house” and “bread” (lehem). The Hebrew Language is read from right to left, and so Bethlehem is written like this:

  bread           house

By Robin S. Wilson