Episode 56 Show Notes
The Significance of the Holy Spirit’s Groaning
From the Show
Where is a good place to start learning about apologetics?
Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15-16, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense,” apologia, from which we get apologetics, “a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, so that when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
Two things are called for here: an informed and logical argument and a longing to win people, not arguments. A good argument is not just a logical one or a well informed one. A good argument is actually an expression of love of your neighbor, rather than pride of self. So a good apologist will offer a thoughtful defense, knowing what you believe and why you believe it, but a good apologist will also be a good listener, a good neighbor. If you're anxious to shoot off your next bullet, then you miss the other person's views and their questions and you just won't connect, you won't communicate.— Michael Horton
Questions in this Episode
1. I’m interested in learning apologetics but as I look at the material it seems overwhelming. Where should I start?
2. How can we keep the church welcoming and free from the sort of outrage we see every day?
3. What do you think about reading mystics? Can they be helpful?
4. What does the Bible mean in Romans 8 where it says that the Spirit intercedes for us in groans too deep for words?
5. Is the phrase, “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and ta thousand years as one day,” in 2nd Peter 3:8, just exaggerated language, or is it literal?
6. What have you seen to be one of the more important parts of helping kids to understand the gospel? What do you think kids really need to know about Jesus before they take the Lord’s supper?
Resources
Augustine’s Four Rules of Prayer by Tim Keller
How Not to Win Arguments and Lose People
QuickSource Guide to Christian Apologetics by Doug Powell
Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl
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