This is part of Spring LifeGroup that seeks to show that Christianity is logically true. Christianity must always be accepted by faith, but it can also be proven by facts, reason, and logical deduction. We do not have blind faith. It is important to take time for this, because God's Word has called us to it.
(1 Peter 3:15- 16) Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be READY TO EXPLAIN it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
Apologetics is giving a REASON or a defense of our Christian Faith. It is building a case for Christianity.
KEY SCRIPTURES:
(John 8:32) And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
(Romans 1:19) They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them.
(Psalm 119:160) The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.
The Reasons Why This Is Important:
- God instructs us to do this.
- It creates confidence when we go through difficult seasons.
- It creates confidence when we talk with others.
The Difference Between Evidence and Faith.
Many people say you cannot prove Christianity because it must be taken on faith. This is too simplistic. While no one can make someone else believe something, we should only ever believe something that is provable. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between the two:
- Evidence- Proof. Facts. Observable reality.
- Faith- Trusting in the evidence.
The act of salvation is when we believe the evidence given, and God performs the miracle of counting it for righteousness. Salvation is a miracle by faith in the evidence that Jesus is the Christ.
Three Ways of Creating Belief.
Some say that apologetics, or explaining and defending our faith, is pointless. This is because they either believe all faith begins with the Bible or that belief is an experience, so it cannot be taught. There are three types of belief when it comes to learning to explain faith.
- Presuppositionalism- logic only makes sense if God makes sense. (These are the people who do not think logic should be used when describing faith. The only thing needed is a belief in the Bible.)
- Fideism- Emphasizes faith over reason. Skeptical of arguments to prove things. (These are the people who say we should not spend time for any reason or logic. God will visit those He chooses with a spiritual encounter. Therefore, it is a waste of time.)
- Classical apologetics. Logic + evidence. (These are the people who believe the Bible is true, like the Presuppositionalists. They also believe that salvation is ultimately a work of the Spirit of God, like the Fideists. However, they also believe God created the logical senses and should be used to discover the goodness of God in the world He created.)
12 Points that Show Christianity Is True
- Truth Exists
- Opposites cannot both be true.
- It is true that a theistic God exits.
- Miracles are possible.
- Miracles performed in connection with a truth claim confirm the truth of God through a messenger of God.
- The New Testament documents are reliable.
- As witnessed in the New Testament, Jesus claimed to be God.
- Jesus’ calim to be God was proven by a unique covergence of miracles.
- Therefore, Jesus was God in human flesh.
- Whatever Jesus (who is God) affirmed as true, is true.
- Jesus affirmed that the Bible is the Word of God.
- Therefore, it is true that the Bible is the Word of God and whatever is opposed to any biblical truth is false.
Point One: Truth Exists
What is Truth?
- Truth is that which CORRESPONDS to reality.
Two types of Truth: Objective and Subjective Truth.
- Objective truth- brute FACTS that do not change.
- Subjective truth- our INTERACTION with objective truth.
To say “There is no truth” is self-defeating, because it claims to be true.
Every time we speak, argue, or reason, we assume truth exists.
Everyone lives as if truth is real, even when they deny it.
Example: “It is raining” is either true or false, regardless of opinion.
Point 2: Opposites Cannot Both Be True
We know many things with certainty: Our own existence. Basic math. Historical facts.
Common Sense Detector:
- Law of Non-Contradiction. Something cannot be true and false at the same time and in the same way.
- “A” cannot be “A” and “Non-A” at the same time.
- Example: “Jesus is God” and “Jesus is not God” cannot both be true in the same sense.
- Law of Identity. Something is what it is. A thing has a definite nature.
- A is A
- Example: A Bible is a Bible. Truth is truth.
- Law of Excluded Middle. A statement is either true or false.
- Either A or Not-A. (No third option.)
- Example: Jesus rose from the dead, or He did not.
If knowledge were impossible, learning would be pointless. Skepticism cannot be lived consistently. God created humans with minds capable of knowing the truth.
Why This Matters to Christianity
Christianity makes claims: … Jesus lived … Jesus died … Jesus rose … Salvation is through Him
Group Discussion Questions to think through:
- In what way do you tend to think about Christianity? Logical, Start with the Bible, Only through Faith.
- When you hear the phrase “That’s true for you, but not for me,” what do you think people usually mean by that?
- Can you think of something in life that you believe is true, no matter what anyone thinks about it? Why and how do you prove it?
- Why do you think people today are often uncomfortable saying something is “absolutely true”?
- Have you ever been in a situation where knowing the truth really mattered? (Health, relationships, work, finances, etc.)
- Do you think a society can function well if everyone decides their own version of the truth? Why or why not?
- Where do you think most people get their idea of “truth” from today—family, social media, experience, feelings, faith, something else?
- How do emotions affect what we believe is true? Can feelings ever mislead us?
- Can you think of a real-life example of a situation where believing two opposite things would cause problems?
- Why do you think people sometimes hold beliefs that don’t fit together?
- Have you ever changed your mind about something because you realized it didn’t make sense anymore? What helped you see that?
- How do you usually respond when someone points out a contradiction in something you’ve said or believed?
- Do you think it’s loving or unloving to point out contradictions? Why?
Role-Play Practice
Practice responding thoughtfully and kindly without arguing.
How would you answer the following statements:
- I think religion is just true for some people. What’s true for you isn’t true for me.
- All religions are the same.
- There are no absolute truths. If so, point to one.
- Is there a situation you have encountered that knowing these first two points could have helped you navigate?
Personal Reflection
What area of your life needs stronger commitment to truth?
