Building An Unshakable Foundation
Norm Geisler discovered that:
- We have more common ground in witnessing to non-believers than they realize.
- Faith and reason are more compatible than some Christians realize.
- There is an appropriate way for us to witness to others today using apologetics
and yet in a way that is sensitive to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Today many Christians still struggle with finding a right balance in their understanding of Faith, Reason, Apologetics, and Evangelism.
Why?
The devil’s strategy is to skew our thinking like he did with Eve in the garden. (Gen. 3:5; 2 Cor. 4:4)
Notes
10 Truths to Build Stronger Foundations in our Faith and a Greater Understanding in Witnessing Today
1. Our personal experience of Christ should be strengthened by also knowing the objective evidence that substantiates our faith. (Rom. 8:16; 1 Cor. 15:17; 1 Cor. 15:3-6; 1 Pet. 3:15; Acts 14:1)
- Remember that if Christ didn’t really rise from the dead, then we are “still in our sins” regardless of our spiritual encounter. (Rom. 8:16; 1 Cor. 15:17)
- The fact is that Jesus really did live historically and did rise from the dead. (1 Cor. 15:3-6)
- Therefore, we should never have merely a subjective experience of Christ!
Why?
…because our hope is tied to the objective truth of the fact of the resurrection. (1 Pet. 3:15)
…because some may falsely conclude that our experience of Christ is “our truth” and not “The Truth” if we rely on our subjective experience alone.
…because if we don’t have a better understanding of the objective truth that undergirds our faith, how are we going to be motivated to share that faith with others?
…because sometimes we need to use objective evidence to help lower people’s intellectual barriers to allow more room for the Holy Spirit to work on their hearts. (Acts 14:1)
Notes
2. Biblical Faith is only valid if it has the right object. (1 Cor. 15:14)
- What is important is the object of your faith that makes your faith valid.
Notes
3. Our non-Christian friends will have no excuse on judgment day, but we still should do whatever we can to reach them before it’s too late. (Rom. 1:18-20; Rom. 2:14-15; Jude 22)
God’s truth is written on our minds.
The Bible teaches that knowledge of God, His nature and power, is plain to everyone. (Rom. 1:19 – 20)
How do we know that God exists?
At the very least, our minds inform us that something cannot come from nothing.
Even non-believers are aware of God’s power. (Is. 40:12)
For example, they can know that the universe is so big that the creator must have incredible power.
God’s truth is written on our hearts. (Rom. 2:14 – 15)
There are some things that we cannot not know.
We will still be judged for the knowledge of God we do have. (Rom. 1:18 - 20)
But why are they held accountable?
Because Rom. 1:18 implies that they suppress the truth they have!
Because Eph. 4:18 says they are ignorant because of their hardness of heart.
Implications:
Even if someone has never opened a Bible, they are still responsible for rejecting the truth God has revealed to all and are condemned for doing so.
No one can accuse God of not being fair because they didn’t know the truth!
Yet I should have mercy on my non-Christian friend and do whatever I can to help them take a step to the cross daily! (Jude 22)
Notes
4. In understanding the integration of faith and reason, we must always remember the important distinction the Bible makes between “belief that” and “belief in.” (Js. 2:19; Lk. 16:31; Jn. 6:65; 1 Cor. 2:14).
Demons “believe that” God does exist, but they certainly don’t “believe in” God. (Js. 2:19)
Implications:
You can’t use evidence to argue someone into accepting Christ! (Lk. 16:31)
You need the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 6:65)
Why is evidence alone not enough?
Because on our own we cannot welcome the Holy Spirit, no matter what we believe. (1 Cor. 2:14)
Because apologetics can only bring you so far.
Notes
5. In better understanding our faith, we need to remember that God’s truth goes beyond reason but never against reason. (2 Cor. 1:18; Titus 1:9)
God’s truth cannot be contradictory.
To say God is three persons in one person is a contradiction or that God is three natures in one nature is a contradiction.
God’s truth can be a mystery.
To say God is three persons in one nature is a mystery but not a contradiction.
God is three “Who’s” in one divine “What”.
Notes
6. As God’s finite creation, it is reasonable to trust God for what I don’t know because of what He’s revealed to me that I do know. (Matt. 5:17-18; Rev. 21:4)
I can trust the Bible to tell me the truth because Jesus said that I can trust the Bible.
I can trust Jesus to tell the truth because He claimed and proved to be God.
Notes
7. In witnessing to our skeptical friends, we must remind them that if God can do the big miracles, He can do the little miracles. (Gen. 1:1)
If God can create the universe out of nothing, what other miracle can He not do?
If miracles are possible, Jesus’ resurrection is possible.
Notes
8. In witnessing, always keep in mind that intellectual barriers are never the primary barrier for rejecting Christ. (Jn. 12:37; Eph. 4:18; Phil 2:13)
Implications:
Our goal should not be to win the argument.
Our goal should be to remove obstacles so that we can help others take one step closer to Jesus Christ every day.
How then should this truth impact how we use apologetics in witnessing to others?
We should remind others that even after they get the evidence they want, steps to the Cross may not be as easy as they think!
A change of will is still required even after a change of mind. (Phil. 2:13)
We may at times have to stop giving them evidence.
We should not let them think that their biggest barrier to faith is anything but volitional.
Notes
9. The imperative to give an answer for the hope we have could even mean helping to remove barriers to faith. (1 Pet. 3:15; Acts 17:29; Matt. 13:23)
To “be ready” in 1 Pet. 3:15 means to eagerly anticipate their question or objection.
If we combine 1 Pet. 3:15 with 2 Cor. 10:5 and 1 Cor. 9:22, it is clear that our responsibility is also to eagerly anticipate questions and objections, and remove barriers whether others ask us a specific question or not!
The Bottom Line:
If we are going to be able to fulfill the imperatives of 1 Pet. 3:15 in today’s world, we must understand our responsibilities as being more than just giving answers if asked.
We must actively remove barriers to the cross!
Specifically, we must cultivate good soil in their lives! (Matt. 13:23)
Notes
10. In order to effectively witness today, how we live our lives is often more important than just what we say! (Jn. 13:35; Jn. 15:5; Matt. 5:3-4)
Our love can have an impact on others that sometimes our words alone may be unable to achieve. (Jn. 13:35)
The key to living our life in a way consistent with our words is to continually abide in Christ. (Jn. 15:5)
The key to abiding in Christ is understanding that the mandate must precede the mission.
The first step in abiding more and more in Christ is acknowledging and mourning our spiritual poverty. (Matt. 5:3-4)
Notes
Conclusion
These 10 things can help you and I begin that process of building an unshakable foundation that will help us build stronger roots and enable us to better reach our culture.
Please remember sometimes it not what we say, but our love for others that makes the biggest difference.
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