He that Winneth Souls is Wise

Watch "Defeated atheist Walks Away (Presuppositional Apologetics)" on YouTube

Hi there! You haven't heard from me in a while. Sorry about that. Please watch this video as an example of how not to defend the gospel.

On the one hand, there is nothing this Christian apologist says that I disagree with. He skillfully exposes the flaws in the atheist's worldview. On the other hand, by the time the atheist angrily walks away he is no closer to accepting the gospel than he was before talking with the apologist. Perhaps he is even less likely now to repent and believe the gospel.

If the point was to show that the apologist's view of abortion and morality was more logically consistent than the atheist's view, then I suppose the apologist was successful. If the point was to lead the atheist to Christ, the apologist failed miserably. But is outfoxing atheists the primary goal of apologetics? No, the point of defending the gospel is to persuade atheists and other nonbelievers that Christianity is true. In reality, this Christian apologist failed as a defender of the gospel either way.

If we aren't defending Christian truth in a way that persuades others to follow Christ, we are wasting our time and energy on a fruitless endeavor. There are plentiful examples in the Bible of Jesus, the Apostles, and other saints intelligently proclaiming God's truth. While they did not persuade everyone, there is not a single case where they ended a debate with, "Well, I certainly made that guy look like an idiot, didn't I?"

The true purpose of Christian apologetics is to persuade others that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that He died and rose again to save us from our sins. To use apologetics to show everyone how clever you are is actually very stupid.

"An argument in apologetics, when actually used in dialogue, is an extension of the arguer. The arguer's tone, sincerity, care, concern, listening, and respect matter as much as his or her logic - probably more. The world was won for Christ not by arguments but by sanctity: 'What you are speaks so loud, I can hardly hear what you say.'"
― Peter Kreeft

Where the Manger is Clean

This quote appeared in my Twitter timeline:

Stop thinking, and end your problems.
- Lao Tzu

No thank you. Ignorance may be bliss for some (at least for a while). As for me, I am determined to love the Lord with all my mind. Sometimes I have to wonder how some people imbibe these trash Eastern philosophies!

I can sort of understand how some might buy into this, actually. I know some people who over analyze things, resulting in worry. The answer, however, is not to stop thinking, but to cast all your cares on the Lord, because He cares for you.

The Word of God says,

Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
- Ecclesiastes 7:19, ESV

Wisdom is power. We need to be like the sons of Issachar, who knew the times and what the people of God should do. When we honor God with our minds, and do not neglect prayer and holy living, God uses us to shape society.

Look at the life of Daniel. He was put in high places of authority as a counselor of heathen kings because of his wisdom. The Bible says of Daniel that God gave [him] learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams (Daniel 1:17). Daniel was a prophetic voice, speaking wisdom to the world. Through wise men like Daniel, God rules over the unbelieving earthly authorities.

The work of the Lord gets done through godly
thinking. We need to train our minds as a holy discipline. Our minds need to be strong--like the ox.

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
-Proverbs 14:4

In other words, although anti-intellectualism might make one's mind peaceful and placid, only a powerful mind will reap a great harvest of real world results. When we reject thinking, we reject a powerful means to positively transform the world around us.

My rant for the day.