Christian knowledge of the importance of defending the truth

 From old evangelical Christians

knowledge on the importance of defending the truth

Machin (1881-1937)

The presentation was originally in 1932 6 17

do in London was said to us that apologetics is unnecessary. They said: When Christian, quite certain that's what they preach is simply not Christianity. They spread an anti-intellectual, do not speak the teachings of modernism, it does not need defense for the simple reason is that it is entirely toward the era of drift. It is like drifting straight down along the stream of wood, not to stir up a trace of waves. To adhere to such things, people do not adhere to anything; he just drifted, he automatically would become the most modernist people agree, the most popular things. One thing is the Christian Church should always be borne in mind is that true Christianity, is and has always been the natural man and the opposition, not to keep fighting, you can not insist. Downstream straight down to a piece of wood is always sound; but around each stone, the water is always bubbling agitation. Everyone said that a good Christian man claiming to be me, I will refer to you may see a very disloyal to his main man.

sure, a Christian not to avoid controversy is about the New Testament Christianity. New Testament is full of truth for the defense of the debate made. Paul's letter is full of debate, no one can doubt that. But even Jesus said so, is full of debate, the words of Jesus said to defend the reality. sui generis debate so that way? Jesus talked about a lot of metaphors in nature of the debate. Even our Lord, he spoke with a great power from God, who indeed condescending and theory. New Testament are without fear in the face of every opposition to the Gospel that is a perfectly reasonable thing.

years ago, I and a group of students together, they discuss the Christian approach to work. An older, experienced students who work, stood up and said, according to his experience, unless you no longer argue with people, otherwise you can never be won over to this person, let him believe in Christ. When he says this, I was not.

, of course, the debate is quite simply not enough to make a person a Christian, this is again true and simple. You can debate with him, from now until the end of the world; you can put the most powerful argument, but unless there is another thing, that is, the mystery of the Holy Spirit in new and creative ability, or else all in vain. But the debate is not enough, this does not necessarily mean that the debate is not necessary. Sometimes it can be used directly by the Holy Spirit to bring a person to Christ here. But more, the Holy Spirit is the indirect use of debate. A man heard the truth of the Christian faith against the objections raised by the answer, when he heard the answer, he was unmoved. But then, perhaps many years later, he finally touched the heart: He knows offense, his desire to be saved. However, have not forgotten about that debate, he is impossible to believe, the gospel was for him not to be true, he would still fall in sin. However, despite the case, he heard long ago that idea into the inside of his thought, the Christian apologist finally time to show their talents; roads lead, and when he believes, he can believe, because he was changed to see that confrontation is not a sin and truth.

Sometimes, when I try to put the argument (and I admit that I do badly), the resurrection of our Lord, or the Word of God is that which the Department or the defense of the truth, in my lecture has finished Some people come to me,UGGs, very politely said to me: were not there. Indeed, I hope to have as many people to doubt the truth of Christianity to listen to my lecture, but if they do not present, I do not necessarily think that my effort is entirely wasted. Apologetics through my lecture,UGG boots clearance, I do not just - perhaps not even primarily - in order to convince those who oppose the Christian faith. Instead, I was trying to Christians - Christian parents or Sunday school teachers - some of them to use the information is not used against those who strongly oppose the stubborn skeptics of Christianity, but to correspond to their own children, or their students in class, corresponding to that love them and want to become Christians like them, but because of hostile voices heard on all aspects of preparedness from natural persons trapped.

defend the truth that lies in the usefulness of intense debate in the other directly to the people immediately won over, this is actually the teaching of Christianity to a narrow understanding of care. It is useful but the biggest reason to form a climate of stress, and in this atmosphere, not to accept the gospel and truth is seen as hostile. Spurgeon and Moody in the late nineteenth century to face the situation, and today those who preach the gospel to face the situation is entirely different. They were the face of the world, many of whom grew up in the accepted Christian belief, public opinion is largely agree with the Christian faith. Today the contrary, even in England and the United States, the public overwhelmingly opposed to the Christian faith, beginning from the youth to accept a concept that Christian belief is outdated and absurd. When no more than it is today, that God is more strongly appeal to a great effort, knowledgeable defense of faith.

think I believe more people are beginning to realize that preaching the gospel of this fact. There was a time in 25 years or 30 years ago, when evangelical Christians believe that the work of the Guardian not do not believe that is a waste of time. They said that a soul waiting to be saved, a professor at seminaries are many, many Germans persist in using the names of the students thought their confused, rather than simply preach the gospel of Christ. But today, another idea is often prevailed. Evangelist, if they are the true gospel preacher, a real declaration that the Bible contains information that does not welcome people say, they are increasingly aware that these can not be looked down upon not theology professor . Promote a person can not believe to be true Gospel, which is of no use; how much emotional appeal can not change this fact. On the fact that the problem is not always to be avoided. Christ is risen from the dead, or not from the dead? The Bible is reliable or false? In other words, I Corinthians Chapter 12, then once again to be taken seriously. We begin to understand how the multi-Christ's work is multi-faceted; eyes and no longer opponents said, .

But if we have a Christian apologetics, if we are to defend the truth, how it should be a kind of defense of the truth?

First of all, it should be targeted not only against the people outside the church, the church should also be against the opponents. Against the Bible, when they entered the church within its walls, they are not any less dangerous, but is becoming much more dangerous.

At this point, I know that now people will generally raise objections. People say that the most important thing, let us not debate in the church there; Let us forget our small theological differences, all people have a repeat Paul sings an ode to the love of Christians. When I hear such an appeal, my Christian friends, I think I am quite clear that these calls were to distinguish Satan's voice. Sometimes the sound is very good, indeed the mouth of a Christian issue, as in Caesarea Philippi, the sound from the twelve disciples that one of the largest given to the same mouth. But this is still the voice of Satan.

sometimes it is very deceptive tactics upon us. For example, I remember, I once heard a general be regarded as one evangelical Christian leader who will say these words is to worship gatherings at the height of the day to tell you. The speakers, I can remember using the original words: By the mouth of a well-intentioned person came. The speakers use the word larger Protestant churches that. If a person against these people, will soon begin to hunt the heretics. He needs to do is faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ, and soon he will be against these people.

but not as the speaker suggests, faithful in the Church of Christ in one's own life within the holiness culture, there is a conflict between the two? My friends, this suggests is not true, but false. If a person willing to deny his enemies on the outside of the Lord, he can not succeed in his life searching for his heresy against crime. These two battles are closely linked. Unless a person has engaged in another battle, or he is not a war of this victorious.

there, people told us that if we just knelt down and prayed together, our theological differences will disappear. Ah, I can only say that the gospel is true that this problem does not concern the prayer, not a Christian prayer, it is worship in the temple of Rimmon. God save us from this sort of thing! Instead, we ask God to lead us into that kind of prayer in which we see the visible church miserable scene, see today's control of its unbelief and sin, those of us in the world, in the church against the trend of the times who, according to confront the truth of these facts, these facts put before God, as Hezekiah's letter threatened the Assyrian army before him, humbly begged him to give the next answer.

Also, people say we should not be involved in controversy in the church, but prayed to God revival; not apologetics, but rather to preach the gospel. Hey, what do you think this is a kind of revival of the gospel to what is indifferent to the gospel of this issue, in the end what is the gospel? This is not said by the revival of the New Testament sense, is not Paul say, No, my friends, and enemies of the cross of Christ concerted, can not be a true gospel. Almost can not be saved, unless one can preach the gospel and Paul together, said: Since our Lord said he came not come to bring peace, but a sword since the situation has been true. When God has given a new Church of the Reformation, you know what I think things will happen? We do not know that blessed day when it will come. But when that blessed day does come, I think we can say it is to bring at least one result. In that day, we will not hear any argument that the church is so evil. All of these must be like being swept away by the flood as being sweep. Preach a message, such as who was on fire, was never able to speak so poor, but to the gospel of Christ in every block high on the face of those things before, with joy to preach the truth without fear .

But people told us that we should not participate in the debate doctrine, but rather to seek eternal life, the Holy Spirit. A few years ago we celebrate Pentecost, when we are involved in a conflict Presbyterian, The point is about the authenticity of the Bible. Church is to adhere to, or do not adhere to its pastor to believe that the Bible is true? In making decisions, seems almost to avoid the problem, the topic after the Spirit, speaking to a lot of sermons. Do you think that those sermons, if indeed according to preach that way will get their recognition of the one who told it? My friend, ah, I'm afraid not. If a person attempts to evade the Holy Spirit has given us this valuable book is true or false question, he would be difficult to receive the Holy Spirit.

there, people told us that our preaching should be positive, not negative, we can preach the truth without attacking error. But if we follow this advice, we will close our Bible, give it teaches. Almost all of the New Testament from beginning to end debate on a book. A few years ago I and a group of people together, they are the American universities and other educational institutions to teach the Bible teacher. This country one of the most famous professor of theology made a statement. He acknowledged that, unfortunately, for the Pauline Epistles in the doctrine of the existence of disputes; but he actually said the real lesson is the essence of Paul in I Corinthians Chapter 13 in Christian love poetry; if we only The main focus on the inspiring poetry in that, and we will be able to avoid controversy. In response, I have to say that this election was a particularly bad example. Christian love poetry that is the first in a very great debate in the middle of verses; if Paul arguing against in the church against the fallacy of the song would not have written out. This is because his heart for the wrong use of spiritual gifts and anxious, he was able to write the song glory of poetry. So the church is always controversial. We can almost say that Christians say if each one truly great, while others are due to controversy. When people are forced to take a stand against wrong, and they rise to defend the truth to rise to truly great height.

But in defense of truth, both inside and outside the church respond to the attack on the truth, we should use to defend what method?

answer this question, I only had time to talk about two things. First, defend, and it involves the Guardian, it should be completely open and above board. I just said, I think controversy is useful. But in debate, I really want to follow the Golden Rule; I think other people do to me, what I really want to treat others. I like to participate in the debate is the kind of full and frank debate.

Sometimes I go to a group of those who believe modernism. A man standing on the podium together, friendly, looking at the audience, said: When he did, I felt hurt. I was injured, not because he was incompatible with my free expression of ideas. I feel hurt, because he called me his This gives me more pleasure than a controversy that people stand up, stand on the platform, looking at the audience: people inside, When he finished this, I do not feel too uneasy. I even can put people Point is, the speaker at least respect me, and realized that my views and his views are greatly different. We are fully aware of each other's point of view, we may not be brothers (I am opposed to belittle the word), but which are likely to be good friends.

second, to defend the truth should be with a scholarship. Alone condemned, it does not constitute an argument; who successfully refute the opponent's argument, be sure to his efforts to be aware of the arguments to refute. In this debate, the character should be placed behind the scenes of the opponent's motivation, which should not occupy any position.

in the United States, this principle must be constantly being preached in the church doctrine of modernism or indifferent position of the person violated. Violation of this far more than those who defend the Word of God who breach this principle. However, it is strange that the latter be condemned. Occupy the mainstream of modernist elements are often indifferent to their most fierce rivals wanton abuse, but he was immediately called their sweet, beautiful and tolerance. Defend the Bible, and consistent position on church history who has been talking with a polite, though plainly be opposed, he was called the I think a very wise American Indian, is said to be written summary of how the white man and his history of ethnic war of words between the (few months ago I was in the see this documented.) The Indians said:

I think that in every conflict, not a party to always be so popular treatment. Sure that this is the treatment we have today. It found that, trampling on our human representatives who believe the Bible, for this idea is so unpopular to speak, and this is to make itself popular among consumers is an effective way.

But I think we should not feel discouraged. If you do not believe in the church and betrayal filled day, God told us to take a little bit of Jesus reproach, we should see they receive honor, sure is, for us to defend the truth plainly, warning the practice of falsehood, we do not There should be no relaxation. After all, and praise of Christ than the praise of people is not worth a cent.

but certainly, we should try to make themselves out of the things people accuse us. Guilt because of our opponents, this guilt can not be the reason we did.

to defend the Christian faith, its strong attack against the current, it is not easy. Knowledge of the truth is necessary, we also need a clear understanding of the modern ideologies hostile power of the truth.

At this point, people may make a final objection. Requirements of people, such as preparing them for ministry for the time to understand who said those who oppose the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, then this not the human soul will bring terrible danger? We just learned the truth, not to recognize falsehood, which it is more secure? We replied: charge forward, boarded the hill, as it will be more secure. We use such a strategy may save his soul, but the enemy still occupied the main battlefield. Rational aspects of this battle today is indeed a great battle; every person involved in the conflict, there is mortal danger waiting for him. But this is the Lord's battle,cheap UGG boots, he is in the great war chief.

does have some risk, is that we should avoid - especially when we get to know those who say things against the Christian faith, but then do something to justify the system without any real knowledge, it is dangerous. For example, a person preparing to enter the ministry, if only to follow the professor to occupy the mainstream in which the naturalistic view of the seminary, he is to make his case of such a danger. This study does that mean? Meaning is very simple, it is people do not think it gave him the spiritual feeding of the historic Christian faith, is worthy of his serious consideration. This is my proposal such as the Westminster Confession of people should go to seminary, that I had the honor to serve as the sole basis for school. I do not want him to oppose the historic faith of the things that turn a blind eye, but I was said to him, the logical thing is to learn the order of what is against it before specifically to see the things; I also told him to learn What is the thing in the end the method, not the beginning of what the people heard say against it, but to every possible means to fully listen to those who believe what it said. After doing so, our students complete the entire course, the truth of the Bible contains a wonderful system with systematic knowledge, the time they Yueting voice against it, the better they are likely to be the defender of the truth of the people.

So let us call upon God for us today, the rise of real people who defend the Christian faith. We live in a great Christian faith against the war among the war weapons are weapons of reason. Whether we like it or not, millions of our compatriots, they refused to Christianity for the simple reason that they do not believe that Christianity is true. In such cases, we as the walk?

At this point, we can learn from the history of the church a lesson. In 1900, in the past, people made the gospel of Christ intellectual objections, this is not the first time. How to treat people in the past such objection? Evasion, or face? The answer is clearly written in the church history. Human face of these objections. God is not only the rise in the need to preach the gospel when people make calls to the public, but also the rise of Christian scholars, to meet the intellectual offensive. My friends, today we are too. Christian faith is not in darkness, but in the light of prosperity. Knowledge on the lazy, do not believe this is only to deal with deceptive prescription; real solution is the ability to return to St. reason,bailey UGG boots, use it to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us not worry about the results. In the past 1900, when many people predicted that the time in a generation or two, the old being the gospel will never forget. But the gospel again prosper, the world on fire. This may also be our time, according to the sight of God as a good time to go his way. Substitute for the Gospel of Christ is really very bad. The Church has deceived embarked on a Can be specified to such a piece of the church over the valley, leading to the city of God Blessed are the straight road.

Christian

knowledge and preach the gospel of our Savior day to sit down in the well. He talked with a sinful woman, pointed out that the pain of her life. He said: the right kind of theological question of worship places. Jesus, the theological problem of how to respond to her? He is not as modern as the faith workers, put it aside? He is not this the woman said: His most completely answered the theological questions, as if the woman is the soul's salvation depends on correct answers that she can not get the same. In response to the sinful woman, the answer to the modern belief in the workers believe that the issue of the transfer line of sight, Jesus is doing in the entire New Testament in the theology of some of the most profound teachings. According to Jesus, saying, correct view of God, not just some of the only things that saved the future, but to salvation is very important.

Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians of his preaching mission made a valuable summary. He passed that Thessalonica, when saved, turned to where, in order to conclude. They return only the kind of life plan? In accordance with contemporary significance, the confidence and knowledge to split, that people believe that a God he did not know, or think of him makes him the confidence to become ridiculous Not at all. The Christians of Thessalonica, when Christ is to turn to a complete theological system. Paul said: turned to God from idols

New Testament from start to finish like this. Examples was beyond count. New Testament does not give the confidence and knowledge to those who split off from the people, those ridiculous to think you can trust a God he does not know the people some comfort. Many people today look down on the

but if that is the case, if the person's salvation depends on the person of Christ as the Savior passed on the information, then we correctly understand the information, which obviously is very important. This is the entry point for Christian knowledge. Christian knowledge is very important, so that we can directly, completely and clearly about Jesus and his love story.

At this point, people really will be objections. They may ask, Is not the Gospel is a very simple thing? Too much knowledge of, would not be covered by its simple? This objection stems from an erroneous view of learning; it is derived from a concept that educated people become obscure. Is totally the opposite. Ignorance is obscure, but the knowledge to chaos into order, placed by the logic of what their position, so that information clear light.

evangelist does have some people who are not scholars, but the knowledge of the Gospel is still necessary. First, although there are some evangelical preachers, they are not scholars, but the greatest gospel preachers, like the Apostle Paul and Martin Luther, they are scholars. Second, those who are not scholars of the gospel, relying on academics to help them correct their information preaching; true gospel is the great support from the accumulation of knowledge of Christianity.

This is our church today need to look out. According to the New Testament, life is built on top of truth; attempt to reverse this order, which can only bring despair and spiritual death. Let us not kid ourselves. Experience for the Christian gospel is necessary; but the gospel does not just preach the gospel to people in their own mind what happened to repeat it. Indeed, if we can only talk about what Christ did for the world, for the church to do what he can not talk about what to do for ourselves, our testimony of Christ is very bad. But if we can only speak in our own life experiences, we are also very bad witness. Christians to preach the gospel to the world not only where a person said: obedience I said, you can be like me so good, so happy. They told us that we preach the gospel through our lives, not through the words we say to pass. But they are wrong. Because we were not the manifestation of the glory of the Christian virtues and salvation; they are not being saved, we have experienced infection. If we just pass this to them ourselves, we can not be used of God to save their tools. No, we must explain to them preaching the Lord Jesus Christ; because only through him that out of the gospel, people can be saved.

If you want your mental health, if you want to bring other people into the health of the tools, do not always turn your eyes inside your own, as if where you can find Christ. No, take your eyes from your own experience on the poor away, away from your sins, turn to pass according to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

my friend, this is the same old story - the natural man of the same old story. People work today, just as they have been trying to do to save itself - surrendered with their own moves, with confidence in their own superior, the mysterious life of their own experience can save itself. But that is completely empty. With God and the good of the Road is not the case comes from. Only in accordance with the old, old way to get - is a look that will never be achieved long ago something is to accept where one is always made atonement for our sins, the eternal Savior. Oh, would like to leave their own experiences, to Christ's cross, in order to seek salvation, the phenomenon of religion is willing to leave, turning the living God!

only one way to achieved this. This method in the study in the psychology of religion can not be found, it is Oh, is not the case. It is worthy of praise only when it's documented in the Word of God can be found. This discourse is the discourse of life. God spoke in the middle. Let us concentrate on listening to his voice. The most important thing is that we understand this road. Let us learn it the exhaustion of mind, let us treasure it dedicated. Then let us work to bring it to a very humble person yet to be saved there. Let us pray to God, not only Rongyao Xin make, but also the glory of information, although we do not deserve, but he uses his lips to tell you we do not deserve his words, turn it into a life of information.