Defend & Refute

I was asked a question recently, that quite frankly, I was glad to get, and yet somewhat surprised. The question came about in a round about way, but the bottom line was this person was desiring to know more about her beliefs and to be able to intelligently and irenically discuss them. Of course, as a pastor that thrilled my heart as that, unfortunately, is not a question often asked. The church, I believe, needs to know what they believe in and why. Additionally, we should also be able to defend or refute claims made otherwise. With that, I limited myself to only three key areas that we should be able to defend and refute.

Three claims that I feel are important to defend today:

Again, it was difficult to chose, and my choices are based more on what I currently find myself dealing with as I talk with people that are from within (professing Christians) the church and those outside the church (unregenerate). The first two, I find myself defending for the most part with those outside the church and the last one with those from within the church. In our present landscape, there has been a continued shift from secular humanism (Marxism) to a form of humanism known as the New Age Movement. This movement has a marked disdain for dogma and in its basic philosophy is that the truth resides within each as individuals.

1. God’s existence. This has been the age old question on whether there is a God or not. And if there is a God is there only one or many? Many believe it’s just an idea, something they can conjure up to be in their own mind, or a philosophy.

2. Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, to peace with God. With our pluralistic society, again, many that might believe in a “higher power” and a better place believe that there must be other ways to get there besides just through one person.

3. We are responsible to God for our moral behavior. The majority today believe that morality is driven by the culture and are responsible only to ourselves and not God.

Three claims that I feel important to refute today:

1. Jesus is merely a great teacher or prophet. If He was not the very Son of God then there is no hope that sins are forgiven and the wrath of God is still on us.

2. It doesn’t matter what your religion is as long as you are sincere—God understands. It is not a question of whether God understands or not and in His omniscience he knows all and is Sovereign. In His sovereignty, He has made a way to have a relationship and although it doesn’t matter about your religion it does matter that you come His way to a personal relationship.

3. The Bible is an old book—it was fine for back then but it has nothing to say to our time. The Bible is the inspired Word of God that has been preserved for over 2000 years and is just as relevant now as it has always been.

Defense of the existence of God.

Does God exist? At first, it would seem that this is a new question but has actually been around from the beginning of time. Paul in the New Testament addressed a group of pagan philosophers about this on Mars Hill by referring to the inscription “to the unknown God” (Acts 17:23). Paul took advantage of this to unveil the true God (Acts 17:24-31). So the question is how to defend His (God’s) existence?

First, there must be some ground work laid and some understanding of what is prevalent today. The different view of the theology of revelation verses the epistemology of philosophy. In philosophy there is a search for wisdom which embraces epistemology. Epistemology states how do we know and how do we know it is true? It’s concerned with reason as the theology revelation to what is given. So, the argument from the theology standpoint assumes that God has revealed Himself and that He has revealed truth about Himself. Thus, God is, therefore, knowable and things can be known about Him or said another way, truths concerning Him. Again, one of the greatest threats today, I believe, is that of pluralism.

This subject can be divided into two parts: non-redemptive revelation of God and redemptive revelation of God. The focus for this discussion will be on the non-redemptive revelation of God. First, general revelation states that all people have some knowledge, learning or awareness of God. History proves that in all civilizations that there was recognition of a higher power.

Romans 1:19 states that what God has made known to us is plain with people. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. It goes on to say in Romans 1:20 that there is a Creator and that people are without an excuse. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without an excuse:
Lastly, it states in Rom 1:18 that He is holy. Mankind’s reaction to this, is to suppress the truth because of their wickedness. They don’t like to be made accountable for their actions. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

This knowledge of God is both innate (born with) and learned (what is observed), and comes in the image of God in man, the conscious, and lastly by reason.

The image of God in man, even though it is marred by the Fall (Gen1:27), is, however, still innate within the consciousness of mankind. This event in history when our first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned in the Garden of Eden, leaving the human race helpless and sinful but with a non-redemptive knowledge of the Creator.

The conscious is the natural ability of man to reflect on himself in the light of what he knows is right or wrong. Romans 2:15 states, Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) The conscious is what is left of the image of God in us, incapable of saving us and yet leaving us without excuse.

Reason is that which one can conclude that there is a Creator God where he honestly to follow through what his conscious tells him. In Acts 17:27 tells us that God did this, so they would seek Him. That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: Historically we have seen Theologians, such as Thomas Aquinas and Anselm demonstrate by reason the ontological proof of why there must be a God.

These three sources of awareness are further confirmed by Jesus Christ in John 1:9 where He has given that light to all mankind: That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. This light does not save us but is essentially what is implied by all the above; the image of God, the conscience, and the ability to reason.

Furthermore there is natural revelation. This states what people perceive of God through nature. This is to some extent a different way of describing general revelation.

Biblical arguments for the existence of God through general revelation:

1. Acts 17:24-28
a. God so ordered the affairs of men that they should seek God and find Him.
b. Paul shows that men do not honestly search Him.
c. He shows that all men ought to recognize that god testifies to Himself through nature and human affairs.

2. Romans 1:18-25
a. Man recognizes creation to be His handiwork.
b. Although God reveals Himself in nature man does not make the appropriate response to God but becomes idolatrous.

3. Through many of the Psalms
a. Psalm 8 – The Lord is creator of nature. It displays God’s goodness and majesty, testifying to these things.
b. Psalm 19 – the heavens declare His glory. The regularity of day and night.
c. Psalm 29 – the voice of the Lord is over the waters, breaks cedars and shakes the desert.

In conclusion, all mankind are given a limited knowledge of God. It reveals God’s creation and glory and comes through nature and the conscience. No-one is saved merely by this revelation; it is non-redemptive and yet it leaves men without an excuse. They chose not to acknowledge God and suppress the truth by their sin.

Refuting the claim that Jesus is merely a great teacher or prophet.

Is Jesus God? Most people sadly did not grasp the implications of the new millennium. The year is 2007 because of the birth of Jesus over 2000 years ago. AD stands for anno domini: the year of our Lord. Granted, Jesus may not have been born in 6 BC, or 4 BC. Of course, this is a reminder to Jew who rejected Jesus as Messiah and is also an offence to Muslims. At the end of the day the ultimate issue regarding the person of Jesus is whether or not he was – and is – God. This question is paramount if we are to continue to call ourselves Christians. If He is less than God, then we are not Christians.

If it is true that Jesus was a prophet and not the Son of God (as Muslims claim), it is undermining Jesus. In addition, if we say that He was a good man, a good teacher, a good example and one who did not deserve to be crucified, but that He was not God, is also to undermine Jesus.

The Bible is replete concerning the Christ’s deity. First we have the virgin birth. Although there some that would say that this would not prove his deity as do the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Because of the virgin birth Jesus did not have an earthly father. Mary in Luke 1:34 tells of her reaction when the angel Gabriel told her that she was to have a child. Gabriel went on to tell her that she would have a son and his name would be Jesus (Luke 1:32-35). This would take place be the Holy Spirit who will “overshadow” her (Luke 1:35). This means that Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit of God. The birth of a son without a human father, but rather the Most High God, could only mean that Jesus is God’s Son. Using the term ‘Son of God’ is the same as saying Jesus is God. The Jews saw it this way when the outright asked him in Luke 22:70-71. We also see it in many other places in the gospel of John (1:1, 5:18, 10:33, 20:31).

There are explicit references to the deity of Jesus. In John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. There is no way that we can get around this verse with integrity. It shows Christ’s relationship with the Father; the Word (Gr. Logos) was “with God”. It shows the pre-existence of the Word: “In the beginning”, that is, before the Word became flesh. John 1:14 says, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Thomas said to Him, My Lord and my God (John 20:28). We could go on and on through both the Old and New Testaments.

Jesus also made claim to His deity. In Luke 2:49, Jesus said that “I must be about his fathers business.” Jesus asked Peter in Matt 16:15-17 “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered “You are the Christ.” Jesus then affirmed Peter’s testimony.

Then there is the actual evidence of Jesus’ deity. His demonstration of omnipotence was often demonstrated. When Jesus stilled the storm with a word (Matt 8:26-27) When He multiplied the loaves and fish (Matt 14:19). When He changed the water into wine (Jn 2:1-11).

Jesus’ eternity demonstrates his deity. He said he was before Abraham (Jn 8:58). The first and last (Rev 22:13). Also his sovereignty demonstrates his deity. He said he could forgive sins (Mark 2:5-7).

Although we could go on it is evident that Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. If not we can close down the church and lock the doors. Because we would have no hope.