WHY DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE Blind Faith

Chapter 3 Goal The goal of this chapter is to Demonstrate that apologetics is an important part of evangelism and that the Bible has answers and can be defended.

Topics  What is apologetics?  Critical thinking and evolution  Who did Cain marry?  How can the first three days be literal days without the sun?  Is the big bang compatible with the Bible?  The Gospel and apologetics  Why is the universe so big?  Class exercise  What is apologetics?  Critical thinking and evolution  Who did Cain marry?  How can the first three days be literal days without the sun?  Is the big bang compatible with the Bible?  The Gospel and apologetics  Why is the universe so big?  Class exercise

Chapter 3 Challenges  State what is meant by Christian apologetics.  State two Scripture references that support why all Christians should learn and practice apologetics.  State how the first three days of creation could be literal days without the sun.  State what is meant by Christian apologetics.  State two Scripture references that support why all Christians should learn and practice apologetics.  State how the first three days of creation could be literal days without the sun.

 State two reasons why the big bang is not compatible with the Bible.  State why Genesis is important to understanding the Gospel.  State two reasons why the big bang is not compatible with the Bible.  State why Genesis is important to understanding the Gospel.

The Big 5 1. State three biblical evidences supporting the days of creation were literal days. 2. State two problems with adding millions of years into the Bible. 3. State why the Genesis Flood is an important issue. 4. State one power question. 5. State the four components of the Gospel. 1. State three biblical evidences supporting the days of creation were literal days. 2. State two problems with adding millions of years into the Bible. 3. State why the Genesis Flood is an important issue. 4. State one power question. 5. State the four components of the Gospel.

What Is Apologetics?  Apologetics can be defensive. (1 Peter 3:15)  Apologetics can be offensive. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)  Apologetics is the work of giving sound arguments to help people change their lives for Jesus Christ.  Apologetics can be defensive. (1 Peter 3:15)  Apologetics can be offensive. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)  Apologetics is the work of giving sound arguments to help people change their lives for Jesus Christ.

Reasons for Apologetics 1.Evangelism 2.Demonstrates obedience to God’s Word 3.Equips believers to defend their faith 4.Strengthens believer’s faith 5.Makes the Bible relevant to the unbeliever 6.Equips parents to train and protect their children

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15

Agonizoma = Agonize …it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 3

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

“I can’t think of a more urgent need than enabling young people to understand their faith and preparing them to defend it against the onslaught of secular thought they encounter in their schools and in popular culture.” Ron Luce, Battle Cry For A Generation, 2005, p. 16.

“Professors consistently champion the liberal line, but why do students buy it? Why don’t they resist the indoctrination efforts of the university faculty? The obvious answer is youthful naivete. The innocence of college students blinds them to the motives of their professors. Students take everything at face value, instead of examining the professorial bias. Students also lack the tools, skills, and knowledge to challenge their professors.” Ben Shapiro (graduate Harvard Law School), Brainwashed, 2004, p. 179.

Is Evolution A Fact? Three Critical Thinking Questions How do you know it is true? Has it ever been observed? Are you making any assumptions?

One More Question - Fossils How much of the fossil was actually found and how much was added (assumed)?

“For instance, modern whales are the descendants of four-legged land animals…” Biology: Visualizing Life, Holt, Rinehart, Winston, 1998, p. 177.

Deception Pakicetus: a candidate for whale evolution? Artist reconstruction Only the shaded portions of the skull were found

Updated Pakicetus A wolf-like land mammal, with legs capable of running

Three Critical Thinking Questions How do you know it is true? Has it ever been observed? Are you making any assumptions? A Power Question

Power Question observational faith

Adam and Eve Cain Abel Copyright © by Answers in Genesis Who Did Cain Marry?

“And he begat sons and daughters” Genesis 5:4 “And he begat sons and daughters” Genesis 5:4 Copyright © by Answers in Genesis

Adam & Eve Genesis 1:31 “Very Good” MUTATIONS Increase with time Close intermarriage is normal Leviticus 18 Law against close intermarriage The Fall Curse

How could the first three days be literal days without the sun? Sun created day 4 Earth created day 1

Is the big bang compatible with the Bible?

Science and the Bible

What Is the Big Bang?  The big bang is a secular story about how the universe came into existence.  The big bang presupposes billions of years.  The big bang is a singularity.  The big bang is a secular story about how the universe came into existence.  The big bang presupposes billions of years.  The big bang is a singularity. A hypothetical point in space-time at which matter is infinitely compressed.

Creation in 6 daysBillions of years Genesis 1:31 – a perfect creation Creation full of decay and destruction Logic God is not the Creator of all things God created all things. (Gen 1, Isa 45:12, Col 1:16, Jer 32:17, Neh 9:6, John 1:3, Acts 14:15, Eph 3:9, Heb 11:3, Rev 4:11)

Earth, starsStars, earth Birds, reptilesReptiles, birds WaterMolten mass Sun, land plantsLand plants, sun Man before death Death before man

1. How does a belief in the big bang affect the Gospel? 2. What is the Gospel? Two Questions

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17

God’s solution - Jesus ChristGod’s solution - Jesus Christ How He acted to save usHow He acted to save us The central/core of the GospelThe central/core of the Gospel Christ

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (The Core/Power of the Gospel)

Christ God’s creation was perfectGod’s creation was perfect He sets the rulesHe sets the rules We are accountable to HimWe are accountable to Him Why we call Him LordWhy we call Him Lord God Acts 17 Paul in Athens Luke 24 Jesus on the road to Emmaus

Christ Man The Fall – sin (separation from God)The Fall – sin (separation from God) The problem – man disobeyed GodThe problem – man disobeyed God Why we dieWhy we die Why we need a SaviorWhy we need a Savior God

Christ Man God Response For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Perfect Creation DeathDiseasePainSuffering Restoration

Perfect Creation DeathDiseasePainSuffering Restoration The foundation for understanding the Gospel starts in Genesis

Conclusion  The big bang undermines the foundation for the Gospel.  The big bang presupposes death before sin.  The big bang makes God the author of death and decay  The big bang is not logically compatible with the Bible.  The big bang has many scientific problems.

How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. Why Is The Universe So Big? Daniel 4:3

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Why Is The Universe So Big? Psalm 19:1

O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! Why Is The Universe So Big? Psalm 8:1

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? Why Is The Universe So Big? Psalm 18:3-4

Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, Why Is The Universe So Big? Romans 1:19-20

God Stretched the Heavens 17 times the Bible declares that God stretched the heavens 2 Sam 22:10 Job 37:18 Isaiah 51:13 Psalm 18:9 Isaiah 40:22 Jeremiah 10:12 Psalm 104:2 Isaiah 42:5 Jeremiah 51:15 Psalm 144:5 Isaiah 44:24 Ezekiel 1:22 Job 9:8 Isaiah 45:12 Zechariah 12:1 Job 26:7 Isaiah 48:13

Power Question observational faith

Class Exercise Timed Check Point