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Creative Apologetics

This document discusses different levels of communicating truth and sharing the gospel through creative apologetics. It encourages finding culturally sensitive ways to have conversations about faith that meet people where they are. Examples mentioned include using movies, quotes, personal stories, questions people are asking, and cultural references as starting points for respectful discussions about life's meaning and the relevance of Christianity. The goal is for hearers to clearly understand the message while it is communicated in a way that is locally appropriate.

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Sathya Poorani
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
186 views53 pages

Creative Apologetics

This document discusses different levels of communicating truth and sharing the gospel through creative apologetics. It encourages finding culturally sensitive ways to have conversations about faith that meet people where they are. Examples mentioned include using movies, quotes, personal stories, questions people are asking, and cultural references as starting points for respectful discussions about life's meaning and the relevance of Christianity. The goal is for hearers to clearly understand the message while it is communicated in a way that is locally appropriate.

Uploaded by

Sathya Poorani
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Windows of Opportunity

Helping folks discover Jesus Christ

Truth comes at 3 levels:


Theoretical (Objective)

Existential (Illustrative)

Pragmatic (Subjective)

L E V E L 1

L E V E L 2

As ironic modern worshippers we congregate at the cinematic temple. We pay our votive offerings at the box office. We buy our ritual corn. We hush in reverent anticipation as the lights go down and the celluloid magic begins. Throughout the filmic narrative we identify with the hero. We vilify the antihero

We victoriously exult in the victories of the drama. And we are spiritually inspired by the moral of the story, all the while believing we are modern techno-secular people, devoid of religion. Yet the depth of our participation reveals a religious fervor that is not much different from that of religious zealots. - Jeffrey Hill.

Right to be wrong?

Kitchen Table Talk

L E V E L 3

Creative apologetics (CA) is sharing the Gospel in a way that the hearer does not miss the message (a-f) CA is verbal & non-verbal; It incorporates the local idiom, language, methods, & culturally sensitive approaches CA is wholistic, responds to the felt and unfelt needs of our culture
CA calls for preparation (spiritual & otherwise..) Reflects our Creator & Redeemer

Lessons from the Examples of Key Apologists

A. C.S. Lewis on desire B. Francis Schaeffer: Taking others ideas seriously C. Ravi Zacharias: Listening and Connecting to the Cries of the Heart

L E W I S

Everybodys looking for something.

May we help to point them to the right place and in the right Way.

L E W I S

S C H A E F F E R

Z Seeking and Making Connections A C Identification H Translation A R Persuasion I A Justification S

Seeking and making Connections


(a) World of movies

Seeking and making Connections


(b) Quotes & Quips

Woody Allen Take the Bananas and Run

At 72, a superstitious Woody Allen is still working hard, but is terrified of the void, the meaningless flicker of life

In real life he believes there are no happy endingsThe trains all go to the same place. They all go to the dump

You have a meal, or you listen to a piece of music, and its pleasurable. But, it doesnt accrue to anything.

Your perception of time changes as you get older, because you see how brief everything is. You see how meaninglesslife has no meaning

Begin with the end in view

Last things first!

Stephen Hawking has a question!

Seeking and making Connections


(c) Some personal examples of engagement

(One Christmas Night @ the Call centre)

Vantage point!

The call from God!

Change for a change!

Seeking and making Connections


(d) Some more Leads for engaging

The Relevance and Uniqueness of Jesus Christ

THERES PROBABLY A GOD,


NOW STOP WORRYING AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE

The Second Chopra

Its all in Your hands!

Our times are in His hands.

Live-in on the edge

Unusual Wisdom

Art exhibitions

The earth is charged with the grandeur of God.


~ Gerald Manely Hopkins

THE PROCESS
Gather accurate data Consult Scripture Consider redemptive engagement Define a plan

The business of the church is to tell and to embody a story, the Story of Gods mighty acts in creation and redemption and Gods promises concerning what will be in the end. The church affirms the truth of this story by celebrating it, interpreting it, and enacting it in the life of the contemporary world. It has no other way of affirming its truth.
Proper Confidence by Leslie Newbigin

Our focus and our aim, is to

find ever-relevant ways and


means, with a view to seeing men and women reconciled to God.

Exercise on CA
Relevant Stories (level 2 communication) Questions that matter Caricatures T-shirt slogans / bands / caps Lifestyle apologetic (POA) Local Idioms like 3 Idiots / Poems Methods that matter (Coffee house discussions) Ad zap

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