1. Giving an Answer: Defense Defense The Problem of Evil People who have never heard Atrocities in the name of Christianity OT Genocide I believe in one less God than you Original sin is not fair! Christianity was derived from pagan religions Christianity is all about blind faith Christians are all hypocrites The Bible says Not to judge Religion impedes science The Bible has been changed so many times

2. Giving an Answer: Defense The Problem of Evil Claim If the Christian God is all powerful, and all good, then he would not allow evil to exist. But evil does exist. Therefore the Christian God does not exist. Responses What do you mean by “evil”? What is the basis for “evil” in a naturalistic worldview? Outside of the Christian worldview, how can you have objective standards like good and evil? The COLUMBO Tactic 5 1

3. Giving an Answer: Defense People Who Have Never Heard Claim It’s not fair that God would condemn forever the people who have never had a chance to hear about Jesus. Responses What do you mean by “fair”? How can you have fairness and justice outside of presupposing a Christian worldview? Where does Christianity teach that people are condemned just because they don’t believe in Jesus? (No one is condemned for not believing in Jesus. They are condemned because they have sinned against God.) 2

4. Giving an Answer: Defense Christianity was Derived from Pagan Religions Claim Christianity was derived from various pagan religions. Response Which pagan religions? In what ways is Christianity derived? What evidence do you have of that? 3

5. Giving an Answer: Defense The Bible has been Changed so Many Times Claim How do we even know what the Bible originally said? It has been changed so many times over history. History is written by the winners. Response What are the changes? When did these changes occur? What evidence do you have of that? Which manuscripts reflect these changes? Have you ever studied the historical transmission of the Bible? Simon Greenleaf and the rules of evidence 4

6. Giving an Answer: Defense The Bible has been Changed so Many Times Simon Greenleaf - formulator of the “Rules of Evidence” still in use in the U.S. - “Do not come to a final conclusion until evaluating ALL evidence” - challenge from one of his law students “Every document, apparently ancient, coming from the proper repository or custody, and bearing on its face no evident marks of forgery, the law presumes to be genuine, and evolves on the opposing party the burden of proving it to be otherwise.”

7. Giving an Answer: Defense OT Genocide Claim The God of the Old Testament is detestable with his ethnic genocide of the Canaanites and native peoples of the promised land. Especially women and children?!?! Response What makes you think the people didn’t deserve it? Why do you assume a Creator doesn’t have authority over His creation? What makes you think the women and children were not also guilty? 5

8. Giving an Answer: Proof Transcendental Arguments Science Morals Logic Morals – without the God of the Bible, I have no basis to assume morality exists Logic – without the God of the Bible, I have no basis to ground abstract principles such as laws of logic and mathematics. Why the God of the Bible? -The Bible specifically provides the foundation for each of these, and grounds them in the triune God Yahweh -No other religion with a personal God provides this foundation -Any that seem to come close are merely Christian deviations, and will be found to be inconsistent with the Bible, to which they are linked Science – without the God of the Bible, I can’t explain why there is a uniformity of nature (e.g. laws of nature). -Genesis 8:22 - While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease -Christ Himself upholds the universe through the physical laws He ordained -Colossians 1:16–17 -Hebrews 1:3

9. Classical Arguments Giving an Answer: Proof Cosmological Moral Teleological Cosmological 1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause. 2. The Universe began to exist. 3. Therefore, the Universe had a cause. Teleological If something looks designed, the most plausible explanation is that it is designed Paley (watch on the beach) Moral 1. Premise: If God does not exist, then objective moral values do not exist. 2. Premise: Objective values do exist. 3. Conclusion: Therefore, God exists. 1. Some aspect of Morality (e.g., its objective force) is observed. (Moral realism) 2. Existence of God provides a better explanation of this feature than various alternatives. 3. Therefore, to the extent that (1) is accepted, belief in God is preferable to these alternatives

10. "It is our duty to endeavor always to promote the general good; to do to all as we would be willing to be done by were we in their circumstances; to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before God. These are some of the laws of nature which every man in the world is bound to observe, and which whoever violates exposes himself to the resentment of mankind, the lashes of his own conscience, and the judgment of Heaven. This plainly shows that the highest state of liberty subjects us to the law of nature and the government of God.“ -- On the Right to Rebel Against Governors 1776 Samuel West

11. Unleashing Your Faith Discussing Truth and Christian Convictions Let the TACTICS Continue 6

12. Giving an Answer: Proof Transcendental Arguments Science Morals Logic Classical Arguments Cosmological Teleological Moral

13. Archaeology Fine-Tuning of the Universe Information in DNA Resurrection of Jesus Reliability of the Bible Evidences Giving an Answer: Proof Miracles

14. Giving an Answer: Defense 6 We cannot give up the Authority of Scripture WE – you and I as believers – enter the conversation standing on the Authority of Scripture as determinative in our beliefs… AND determinative in the issue of TRUTH WE do not start from a position of ‘neutrality’ opposite the truths taught in the Bible in order to “reason with the unbeliever” to reach a ‘mutually agreeable answer to: ‘what is Truth?’ If we don’t stand on the authority of Scripture then we have no place to stand in defending the Christian faith.

15. Defense Giving an Answer: Defense The COLUMBO Tactic

16. Giving an Answer: Defense Defense The Problem of Evil People who have never heard Atrocities in the name of Christianity OT Genocide I believe in one less God than you Original sin is not fair! Christianity was derived from pagan religions Christianity is all about blind faith Christians are all hypocrites The Bible says Not to judge Religion impedes science The Bible has been changed so many times

17. Giving an Answer: Defense Defense The Problem of Evil People who have never heard Atrocities in the name of Christianity OT Genocide I believe in one less God than you Original sin is not fair! Christianity was derived from pagan religions Christianity is all about blind faith Christians are all hypocrites The Bible says Not to judge Religion impedes science The Bible has been changed so many times

18. Giving an Answer: Defense Atrocities in the name of Christianity Claim Christianity is downright dangerous! Look at all the people Christians have killed: the Crusades, the Inquisition, and even Hitler was a Christian. Response Where in the Bible does God approve of these activities? What makes you think these people were Christians? Have you ever considered that these people are acting against the teaching of the Bible? How many people were actually killed in all the incidents you cited and were the killers following Christ’s teaching? 6

19. Historians distinguish four different manifestations of the Christian Inquisition: Medieval Inquistion (1184–16th century) - 2500-3000 deaths/executions the Episcopal Inquisition (1184–1230s)Episcopal Inquisition the Papal Inquisition (1230s)Papal Inquisition Spanish Inquisition (1478–1834) - 2250 + deaths / executions Portuguese Inquisiton (1536–1821) - 1183 executions Roman Inquisition (1542 – c. 1860) - 1250 executions 1184 – 1860 (7 centuries) Total deaths / executions - approx. 7600 recorded ( 10 deaths per year) 11 1959 – China crushes Tibet 30,000 Tibetan deaths

20. 20 th Century Deaths Mao – China 1949- 1976 49 – 78 million Nigerian Civil War 1967-70 1 – 3 million [Soviet Famine 1932-33 2.5 – 8 million] The HOLOCAUST 4 – 17 million Cambodian Genocide 1975 - 79 1 – 3 million Rwandan Genocide 1994 1 million Bangladesh Genocide 1991 3 million Soviet Union 1917 - 1953 8 – 61 million 67 – 162 MILLION The INQUISITIONS 1184 – 1860.0076 million The Crusades 1095 - 1291 1 – 3 million

21. Giving an Answer: Defense Christianity is all about Blind Faith Claim Christians have a blind faith. There’s no hard evidence that God exists. Response What kind of evidences would convince you? What makes you think Christian’s don’t have evidence? Do you have a blind faith in your system? 7

22. Giving an Answer: Defense Religion Impedes Science Claim Religion shuts down any scientific inquiry. It just sticks “God” in the gaps and tells us not to worry about it. Response What do you mean by ‘Religion.’ How does science even make sense outside of having the God of the Bible uphold the uniformity of nature? Where in the Bible does it teach that Christians should impede science? Are you sticking “Science” in the gaps? (i.e. we don’t know where the universe came from, but “give us enough time and science will answer that”). 8

23. Giving an Answer: Defense Religion Impedes Science 8 "Astronomers now find they have painted themselves into a corner because they have proven, by their own methods, that the world began abruptly in an act of creation to which you can trace the seeds of every star, every planet, every living thing in this cosmos and on the earth. And they have found that all this happened as a product of forces they cannot hope to discover. That there are what I or anyone would call supernatural forces at work which is now, I think, a scientifically proven fact." Robert Jastrow (September 7, 1925 – February 8, 2008) was an American astronomer, physicist and cosmologist. He was a leading NASA scientist, author and futurist.

24. Giving an Answer: Defense Religion Impedes Science 8 “For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance, he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.” ― Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers

25. Giving an Answer: Defense Christians are all Hypocrites Claim Christians are a bunch of hypocrites: they say not to do something but then go do it themselves. Response Isn’t God the one who gives commandments, not Christians? What is a hypocrite? If a Christian agrees that he is a sinner, how does that make him a hypocrite? 9

26. Giving an Answer: Defense The Bible says not to Judge Claim The Bible says we are not to judge other people, so you need to stop judging. Response Why are you judging me for judging other people? Where in the Bible does it say we shouldn’t judge? Don’t you think God has the right to judge? Hasn’t God already said what He will judge based on… ? 10

27. Giving an Answer: Defense Original Sin is Not Fair Claim Why should I be held accountable for Adam’s sin? That’s not fair. Response What do you mean by “fair”? What is unjust about Adam acting on our behalf? Have you ever broken one of God’s laws? Do you really think you would have done any better? 11

28. Giving an Answer: Defense I Believe in One Less God Than You Do Claim Of all the gods out there (e.g. Thor), you Christians don’t believe in any of them, and I don’t either. I just take it one step further: I believe in one less god than you do. Response How do you explain science, logic, and morality without the Christian God? 12

29. Unleashing Your Faith Discussing Truth and Christian Convictions OFFENCE with being Offensive 7

30. Giving an Answer: Proof Transcendental Arguments Science Morals Logic Morals – without the God of the Bible, I have no basis to assume morality exists Logic – without the God of the Bible, I have no basis to ground abstract principles such as laws of logic and mathematics. Why the God of the Bible? -The Bible specifically provides the foundation for each of these, and grounds them in the triune God Yahweh -No other religion with a personal God provides this foundation -Any that seem to come close are merely Christian deviations, and will be found to be inconsistent with the Bible, to which they are linked Science – without the God of the Bible, I can’t explain why there is a uniformity of nature (e.g. laws of nature). -Genesis 8:22 - While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease -Christ Himself upholds the universe through the physical laws He ordained -Colossians 1:16–17 -Hebrews 1:3

31. Classical Arguments Giving an Answer: Proof Cosmological Moral Teleological Cosmological 1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause. 2. The Universe began to exist. 3. Therefore, the Universe had a cause. Teleological If something looks designed, the most plausible explanation is that it is designed Paley (watch on the beach) Moral 1. Premise: If God does not exist, then objective moral values do not exist. 2. Premise: Objective values do exist. 3. Conclusion: Therefore, God exists. 1. Some aspect of Morality (e.g., its objective force) is observed. (Moral realism) 2. Existence of God provides a better explanation of this feature than various alternatives. 3. Therefore, to the extent that (1) is accepted, belief in God is preferable to these alternatives

32. Giving an Answer: Defense Defense The Problem of Evil People who have never heard Atrocities in the name of Christianity OT Genocide I believe in one less God than you Original sin is not fair! Christianity was derived from pagan religions Christianity is all about blind faith Christians are all hypocrites The Bible says Not to judge Religion impedes science The Bible has been changed so many times 8

33. Giving an Answer: Defense Offense Proof Defense

34. Giving an Answer: Offense Offense Proof Defense

35. Offense Giving an Answer: Offense Offense

39. Giving an Answer: Offense Offense Consistent with a Biblical Worldview Inconsistent with a Biblical Worldview Appeal to External AuthorityHold to “Biblical Authority” Claims Mormonism JWs Islam Atheism Hinduism Buddhism Romanism Oneness Homosexuality Abortion Trinity Diety of Christ Gravity Algebra

40. Giving an Answer: Offense Examples Romanism Oneness Pentecostal Jehovah’s Witnesses Mormonism Islam Abortion? Homosexuality? Approach Take up their “accepted authority” to prove the validity of the Bible Demonstrate inconsistencies. Place the burden on them to resolve the inconsistencies. Inconsistent with a Biblical Worldview Hold to “Biblical Authority” Judaism?

41. Giving an Answer: Offense Examples Atheism Hinduism Buddhism Approach Take up their worldview and demonstrate the lack of justification for: ◦Science ◦Morals ◦Logic Inconsistent with a Biblical Worldview Appeal to External Authority

42. Giving an Answer: Offense Examples Abortion Homosexuality Approach Take up their view and show where it leads. Inconsistent with a Biblical Worldview Appeal to External Authority

43. Giving an Answer: Offense If it’s not a person, then no justification is required to do whatever you want with it. If it is a person, then it deserves the same rights and protections as all other persons. Abortion Only One Question: “What is it?”

44. Giving an Answer: Offense S.L.E.D. Test S ize L evel of development E nvironment D egree of dependency Trot out the Toddler Abortion Two Key Tools

45. Giving an Answer: Offense “It’s not a person.” Response At what point does it become a person? Demonstrate arbitrariness with S.L.E.D. / Toddler “It’s a person, but not with rights equal to the Mother.” Response At what point does it get equal rights? Demonstrate arbitrariness with S.L.E.D. / Toddler Abortion Only One Question: “What is it?”

46. Giving an Answer: Offense It's a woman's right to choose. This is a private matter; No government influence. Women are going to have them anyway. Unwanted child Not financially able Too young to have a child Rape and incest (it will remind the mother) The mother's life is in danger? Like what? Abortion “Defenses”

47. Giving an Answer: Offense Objective: “Where does the objective standard come from?” Relative: “Why stop at two men, or two women, why not polygamy, and cross-generational, and cross species?” Homosexuality Does “Marriage” have an objective meaning, or Does it mean whatever we want it to mean?

48. Giving an Answer: Offense Offense Consistent with a Biblical Worldview Inconsistent with a Biblical Worldview Appeal to External AuthorityHold to “Biblical Authority” Claims Mormonism JWs Islam Atheism Hinduism Buddhism Romanism Oneness Homosexuality Abortion Trinity Diety of Christ Gravity Algebra

49. Offense Giving an Answer: Offense Offense

50. Giving an Answer: Offense

51. Offense Proof Defense

52. Giving an Answer Offense Proof Defense

53. Defending Your Faith Set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess, yet do it with courtesy and respect… 1 Pet 3:15 Ambassador Model Credo Know Your Audience Proof, Defense, Offense TacticsPresuppositions

54. Romanism