Introduction
– Apologetics can be defined as the reasoned defense of the
gospel and is often studied to prove the existence of God, the deity of Christ,
the validity of scripture, and other proofs, to the unbeliever. But apologetics has an important role to play
in the life of believers, for we are finite, imperfect, struggling men and
women who need to grow in what we are to believe and how we are to live.
A Simple Apologetic (Psalm 19) – This
psalm picks up where Genesis 1:1 left off.
Neither attempt to prove the existence of the Triune God of
Scripture. It simply assumes Him to be
there, and declares His glory through His chosen means of revelation.
The Revelation
of God In Creation (vv1-6) – Day after
day there is an accumulation of knowledge of the glory of God from the heavens
and the earth that transcends any human language. The sun is the central object, from our
vantage point, and we watch as each day it proclaims God’s glory and grace.
The Revelation
of God In His Law (vv7-11) – Everyone has a sense of law
and morality regardless of their commitment to God’s written law (Rom
2:14-15). To those who humble themselves
to God’s law it is sweet, pure, and efficacious in making sense of the world.
The Revelation
of God in Our Conscience (vv12-14) – Everyone wrestles with
ultimate questions of who they are, why they are where they are, and these
questions are related to the deep sense of conscience we all feel to do what is
right (even if twisted by unbelief).
Humbled before God, the believer knows that God knows his deepest
desires and even his own sinful desires before they are manifest. He knows God is there.
Why Do I Doubt? – God has created
human beings in such a way that knowledge of Him is inescapable. It is not simply a matter of there being good
arguments for the existence of God.
Rather, all people are experientially aware of God, whether they
recognize that experience to be what it is or not, for “in Him we live and
move and have our being” (Acts 17:28), “All things were created through
Him and for Him. And He is before all
things and in Him all things consist” (Col 1:16b-17). This is not clear to every man and woman not
because it is not clear, but because of what we do with the clear declarations.
The Pattern of
Fallen Man (Rom 1:18-23) – It is not that they do not know
that God exists; it is that they work hard to suppress this knowledge. The things that are made declare God’s
eternal power and Godhead. They know He
is omnipotent and in control. But they
refuse to acknowledge Him as God and they refuse to give Him thanks. Not only does this lead men into darkness and
sin, but into foolishness as well.
Foolishness in
Unbelief (1 Cor 1:18-24, 2:14) – Men in this darkened
state need the gospel. But the gospel is
foolishness to them. They think they are
seeking after ‘the truth’ in signs and autonomous wisdom, but they are blind
men walking down blind alleys that lead nowhere.
A Doubting
Believer – A struggle to believe continues as we
continue to battle Spirit and flesh, even as Christians (Gal 5:17). Your flesh still tempts you to doubt. The world still tempts you to doubt. The devil still tempts you to doubt. Sometimes those doubts come from outside
influences, and other times because of unconfessed sin before God. Other times it simply is the state of being
in this not-yet-glorified state.
What Should I Do When I Doubt?
– Let scripture lead your reason. Let
scripture guide your presuppositions (Gen 1:1, Prov 1:8, Psalm 14:1).
What Should I
Not Do? – Do not fall into the ‘myth of neutrality’
trap. You cannot ask God to leave the
room so that you can go over the arguments as to whether or not He exists
again. There is no rational reasoning
without God; there is only chaos. There
are no morals without God; there are only chemical reactions and electrical
pulses.
Growth, Maturity, Wisdom, and Assurance
– This is particularly important to those in the church, especially the young
people.
God Brings
Growth Like Milk (1 Pet 2:1-2) – Growth in our faith, in
our knowledge, in our application, is not a one-time deal. If you have read through the Bible, it is
time to read through it again, and again, and again.
God Gives Truth
in a Person (1 Tim 3:16) – Jesus said, “I am the
Truth”. Truth has come to us in a
Person. The pursuit of knowledge and
wisdom therefore must always be connected to our relationship with this Person;
and He is your Lord.
God Gives
Assurance Like Manna (1 John 5:13) – God gives assurance by
His Word and Spirit that we may continue to believe. Assurance is not a one-time deal. It is connected to walking in the Light, to
confessing our sins, to persevering in our trials, and to giving thanks in
everything. It is not connected to
‘flashy testimonies’.
We Partake of
Wisdom By Wisdom’s Means – We are washed with water by the Word
and we partake of the Logos, Christ, at His table. His Word is proclaimed to us by His ordained
men, and in the gathering He has called us to, He causes us to build one another
up in the singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Wisdom cannot be sought by climbing up on a
mountain and staring at some guru. But
wisdom, assurance, true knowledge of God and of His Son, can be found and
strengthened at this mountain – the mountain of God to which you have come.