CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: KNOWLEDGE

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS Jesus Christ must be your Lord & Savior Godly sorrow Confession Repentance Trust is Jesus Christ alone for your salvation Submit to the Triune God’s special revelation You must progressively know, believe & live the Christian worldview You must always be ready to defend the Christian worldview

5 Arguments That Confirm & Support The Christian Worldview Scripture – Your primary source Pragmatic – How you live your life Experiential – Your personal testimony Preconditions for knowledge – Laws of logic, Reliability of our senses, Reliable memory, Moral Standard, Uniformity of the universe Evidences – God’s existence, Bible is truth, the Incarnation is true, the Resurrection is true.

6 Basic Worldview Components Prime Reality – One Triune God Universe – Created from nothing by God People – Created in His image, Fallen by inheritance History – God is sovereign & we are responsible Knowledge Moral Values, Moral Duties, Aesthetics

Creator – creature Distinction  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Col 1:16-17 (ESV) One Triune Creator God Independent Infinite Authority Creation Dependent Finite Submissive

KNOWLEDGE DEFINITION Knowledge differs from opinion Knowledge is Properly justified True Belief Believing what is true with proper justification Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17 (ESV)

1st PRIORITY FOR KNOWLEDGE Faith in the Triune God Rationalist – human reason Empiricist – human 5 senses Two theories of knowledge – worldviews Triune God is the starting point Humans are the starting point

1st PRIORITY FOR KNOWLEDGE The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov 1:7 (ESV)

1st PRIORITY FOR KNOWLEDGE Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Heb 11:1-3 (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Heb 11:6 (ESV)

1ST PRIORITY FOR KNOWLEDGE “I believe that I may understand” Augustine

HUMAN PROBLEM For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22  Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Romans 1:18-23 (ESV)

HUMAN PROBLEM The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalms 53:1 (ESV) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, Prov 12:15 (ESV) Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Prov 28:26 (ESV)

PREREQUISITES FOR KNOWLEDGE DERIVED FROM THE TRIUNE GOD Laws of logic Immaterial Universal Absolute Reliability of our 5 senses Reliability of our memory Moral standard Uniformity of the universe

KNOWLEDGE PRINCIPLES Knowledge: properly justified true belief Knowledge: only possible because of God Knowledge: all comes from God Knowledge: universal, absolute, unchanging Human knowledge: limited, dependent, available Human knowledge: affected by sin Human knowledge: begins with fear of God Human knowledge: should be developed Human knowledge: should be lived

KNOWLEDGE APPLICATIONS For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Romans 8:5-8 (ESV)

KNOWLEDGE APPLICATIONS “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me John 14:6 (ESV) “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 (ESV)

KNOWLEDGE APPLICATIONS We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Cor 10:5 (ESV) How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10  With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalms 119:9-11 (ESV)

KNOWLEDGE APPLICATIONS Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:8-9 (ESV)

KNOWLEDGE APPLICATIONS And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 (ESV)