Questions
Textual Reliability
1. How do we prove the bible is really infallible - it has not been mistranslated over the centuries, it has integrity, and can be trusted, historically? (manuscripts, validity,
etc)
Textual Criticism
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How many manuscripts do we have?
How early are they?
How important are the variants?
Archeology
Prophecy (Jesus alone fulfilled 300 biblical prophecies) [Link]
Historical descriptions
The Hersey of Orthodoxy by Köstenberger and Krueger
Theodicy
3. Why would a good God allow bad things? How could a God that loves humanity wipe out entire
nations in the Old Testament?
Why do bad things happen to good people AND vice versa? , what is the point of being a Christian
if this is the way life proceeds?
How to justify or argue the time of kings and prophets where God gave commands about ending
the life of every man, woman, child and animal? Did they deserve it? Shouldn't we question the
reason just because God is God and has the power to do what He wants?
Theodicy: Response 1
1. Separate existential (pastoral, theological, doctrinal) from philosophical (logical etc). Who is asking and why? Is it a
person who is wrestling with this question because of their own pain? If so what do they need? Prayer, a listening ear, and
a biblical response…
2. If it is an atheist or unbeliever or even a Christian who is seeking a reason:
A) Look at the framing of the argument. Find a plausible option. A reason why God would allow evil.
Alvin Plantinga: Evil may be the result of God’s choice to permit radical freedom.
– Maybe God is not able to prevent all evil and still have free creatures.
– Maybe he has created man to be able to choose morally what to do. Then it’s possible that any world that he creates
with those people could have evil which he cannot prevent. Plantinga’s argument is recognized as valid by atheist
philosophers.
B) Existential questions. Look at Job, Psalm 73, Joseph, Daniel, Corrie ten Boom, Victor Frankl, Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
Any martyr, your own story.
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Theodicy: Response 2
Is God a moral Monster?
How Not To Read the Bible by Dan Kimball
Is God a Moral Monster by Paul Copan
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Theodicy: Response 3
What is the point of being a Christian if this is the way life proceeds?
2 Things to consider
1. Is Christianity true?
2. If it is true, then it matters eternally.
3. If it is true then all the pleasures this world can offer are temporary, all the pain that you experience
in this world is temporary, but the claims made by Jesus are that true life (eternal life) is only found
in knowing the Father.
The Hiddenness of God
If the God of the Bible is the true God, why does He not reveal himself to all mankind in a way that
all have the clarity and certainty that He is God?
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ddenness-argument/
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The Christian Claim to Exclusivity
I have heard many ways of thinking, worldviews, religions, and they all have good and bad things, why is Christianity superior to all of
these?
2. Christianity truly is the only way, “No one comes to the father except through me. I am the way, truth and the life.” Many times someone
will tell me they believe all religions lead to the same God/thing.
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The exclusive claims of Christianity are either true or not true. Jesus is either the only truth the way and the life or He is not. Jesus either rose from the
dead or He didn’t.
Good and bad is a moral judgement not a truth claim. Where does this moral judgement come from? Who determines this judgement? Is there an
objective standard of truth by which these arguments are judged?
Truth is what correspond with reality (with the way things are). And in reality, there things are either one way or another. There are things that cannot be
both and. (Whether the earth looks small or big depends on my perspective, but the actual physical measurements are what they are regardless of your
perspective)
The claims of Christianity are not emotional, subjective, moral claims between one good idea over another. They are truth claims that are either true or
false. Is Jesus who He says He is?
The Christian Claim to Exclusivity
Christianity has a distinctive mark – the incarnation. We don’t have to get to God He came for us
Apophatic theology (the clout of unknowing)
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Hedonism vs. Discipleship
Why should I have faith or believe in a God when I like the life I have, and I don't see anything wrong with it?
If you like the life you are living are you ok with consequences of your choices if Christianity is true?
I could also ask why should I stop eating cake for breakfast lunch and dinner if I like it and don’t see anything
wrong with it.
Or why should I stop doing drugs if I like it and I see nothing wrong with it?
Ultimately every choice has consequences.
I might not see the consequences of my choices until it is too late.
So what can I do?
Is my preference the only evaluative thing that matters?
Is there a better way to live?
Who determines that? (Is it only me or is there an external standard)
The lack of evidence in the lives of believers
How can we defend Christianity when there has been so much division and controversy between
the same religion? How do you know which denomination, theology or doctrine is correct and why
is this so complex and confusing if it is assumed that everything is based on the same God and the
person of Jesus Christ?
Why is this so complex? – Is it any different anywhere else? Is there any other worldview where
there are no differing opinions? Is life simple or complex? Whose job is it to sort this out?
Amongst the three main branches of Christianity’s theological difference the central theme of Jesus
is still there. Amongst various denominations the central theme of Jesus is still there.
Present the whole Gospel: C.S. Lewis emphasized how the apologist must make a scrupulous distinction
between the “Christian message” and “one’s own ideas.”
The gospel is a message that can be found
Separation of Church and State
4. Give good support that God/morality should be a part of politics.
This statement is too broad and assumes a position. I would then ask do you mean God or morality? In what
way do you mean that God ”should be a part of politics? And how are you combining God and morality? How
is morality not a necessary part of any human endeavor?
The theology of politics- Does God speak about these things in His Word?
The philosophy and history of politics- How political systems are created and function.
Ethics as a branch of philosophy- in western civilization ethics has been a part of every field that functions in
society. In recent years as postmodern ideas have infiltrated every area of society these things have been
slowly disintegrating but not completely. There has always been a power-over dynamic that trumps ethical
considerations but “civilized” people seek to maintain order. Without ethical considerations society moves into
anarchy or some form of dictatorship where the one rules over the many exercising control through fear and
intimidation.
The theology of politics: a few things to consider.
In the word we see a couple of things:
1. God is Sovereign –He is creator and therefore rightful ruler over His creation.
He sets up kings and dethrones them.
He uses these things to accomplish His plans.
In the NT Jesus says: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is Gods”
To Caesar go- taxes, civic duty, and law-abiding life.
To God goes (everything) your life, your heart, your devotion, your worship, your ultimate obedience.
When there is a conflict in law between God and King- God comes first (Daniel didn’t stop praying, the first
Christians didn’t stop preaching the gospel, Paul called the Roman authorities to account.)
The Word instructs us to live at peace with all men as much as is possible.
The theology of politics: a few things to consider.
Sometimes it is not possible: Is there a peaceful (democratic) solution? No , then is there justified vs.
unjustified war. (consider Bonhoeffer's situation in Nazi Germany)
For us as individuals: we have callings that take us to different aspect of society. The gospel belongs in the
marketplace of ideas that does not necessarily mean we are trying to create an earthly Christian Kingdom. In
our hearts we set apart Christ as Lord as we move about whatever sphere of influence we feel called to. Are
we living lives that demonstrate the kingdom? In our life is the leaven of the Kingdom creating a kind of
“kingdom invasion” through influence? Or have we moved into the leaven of Herod and the leaven of the
pharisees? Matt. 13:33, Luke 13:20-21 vs. Mark 8:15 (politics and religion vs kingdom life)
