Tuesday, January 11, 2022

"Mere Christianity" Made Simple

Dr. Frank Turek contends that if you can answer, "Yes," to the following questions:

1. Does Truth Exist?
2. Does God Exist?
3. Are Miracles Possible?
4. Is the New Testament Historically Reliable?

then "we have good reason to believe that the entire Bible is true."1.  For a more detailed version of this argument, go here.

This is Turek's version of "Mere Christianity," a term first coined by the great C.S. Lewis in his book that bears the same title.  Dr. William Lane Craig also argues for what he calls "mere Christianity" but his version is slightly different.  Craig argues that if we have good reason to affirm that: 1. God exists 2. God revealed Himself decisively in the person of Jesus of Nazareth and His resurrection from the dead; then, we are on good grounds for affirming the truth of Christianity.

For more on "Mere Christianity," I recommend Timothy Fox's article here.

For the purposes of this post, I thought it might be helpful (and fun!) to use Turek's four questions as an outline and provide some  resources that answer each in the affirmative.  This resource could be helpful as you strive to become a more versed Christian case maker or as an online evangelistic tool!

1. Does Truth Exist?

Video (1:35) - Frank Turek

I think Nabeel Quershi says it best on this one:

"To me, it was self-evident that truth exists. What's the alternative? If truth doesn't exist, then it would be true that truth doesn't exist, and once again we arrive at truth. There is no alternative; truth must exist."2

2. Does God Exist?

Video (4:13) - The Kalam Cosmological Argument

Video (5:14) - Leibniz' Contingency Argument

Video (6:22) - The Fine-Tuning Argument

Video (5:01)- The Moral Argument

Video (4:40)- The Ontological Argument

3. Are Miracle Possible?

Here, it seems worth quoting Lewis.  On the topic of God and miracles he famously said, "But if we admit God, must we admit a miracle? Indeed, indeed, you have no security against it. That is the bargain."3

Video (3:45)- Sean McDowell

Video (4:56)- William Lane Craig

Video (1:55)- Frank Turek

Video (4:30)- Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? by Impact 360 Institute 

4. Is the New Testament Historically Reliable?4

Video (3:42)- Frank Turek

Video (6:04)- Daniel Wallace

Video (5:32)- Michael Brown

Video (3:18)- J. Warner Wallace

So, the next time someone tells you that Christianity isn't true, you'll be ready!5

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Footnotes:
1. Frank Turek, Stealing from God, p. 177.
2. Nabeel Qureshi, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, p. 83.
3. C.S. Lewis., Miracles (HarperCollins, 1974), 169.
4. Some may wonder why the Old Testament (OT) is not included in Turek's case.  As he explains elsewhere, if the NT is reliable, we have good reason to believe that the OT is reliable.  Why?  Because Jesus is in the NT to verify the reliablity of the OT.
5. The answers offered in this post are brief by design.  If readers are interested in learning more about the case for Christianity, I would encourage them to explore our blog.  I would recommend you begin with our "Apologetics Arsenal" here or our "Free Apologetics E-book Library" here.  

Related Posts

Saints and Skeptics: Six Poor Reasons for Rejecting the Miraculous

Craig Keener on Miracles

Do Atheists Believe in Miracles Without a Miracle Worker?

Thursday, January 06, 2022

Wednesday, January 05, 2022

Video Interview: Christian Apologetics - Optional?


Brian Auten and I had the honor of appearing on Susan Morales' YouTube Channel to discuss a range of topics related to apologetics.  This was a fun discussion!

Learn more about Susan here.  Check out her YouTube Channel here.  

She is also part of a wonderful ministry called Girl Talk Apologetics.  Learn more about that here.

Enjoy!

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Related Posts

An Interview with Brian Auten of Apologetics315

What is Apologetics?

The Four Functions of Apologetics

Tuesday, January 04, 2022

Featured Resource: TalkAboutDoubts.com



In a recent Apologetics315 podcast, Brian Auten and I had the opportunity to talk to Jonathan McLatchie about a new ministry he recently launched call TalkAboutDoubts.com.  This ministry is directed toward Christians who struggle with doubt, sincere seekers with sincere questions and those who may have lost their faith.

He writes:

"Have you ever wished that you could jump on a Zoom call and talk 1-on-1 with a leading Christian scholar who could help you navigate the minefield of arguments for and against Christianity, and help you think about your questions and doubts honestly and critically?  This is now no longer something you need to wish for.  This month, I launched a new ministry, TalkAboutDoubts.com.  I have assembled a team of Christian scholars (some of whom are among the leaders in the world in their fields) who are willing to take one-on-one calls with people with sincere doubts about Christianity.  Simply visit the website and fill out the submission form.  Your inquiry will be automatically sent to the scholar with expertise most relevant to the subject of your doubts.  They will then get in touch directly with you to schedule a live 1-on-1 Zoom call to discuss your doubts and questions in confidence. There is absolutely nothing for you to lose: Even if you still remain unpersuaded, at least you will be able to say that you gave the best arguments for Christianity a fair shake."1

As McLatchie shared in our interview, he has assembled a formative team that includes thinkers such as Tim McGrew, Luke Barnes, Stephen Meyer and more!  

Check out this new FREE resource here!

To learn more about Jonathan and his great work, go here.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Footnote:
1. Taken from here.

Related Posts

Video: Intelligent Design and the Fall of Darwinism by Jonathan McLatchie

Video: What's The Difference Between I.D. And Creationism?

Article: Advice to Young Aspiring Apologists by Jonathan McLatchie

Saturday, January 01, 2022

A.W. Tozer on the New Year

"I do not advise that we end the year on a somber note. The march, not the dirge, has ever been the music of Christianity. If we are good students in the school of life, there is much that the years have to teach us. But the Christian is more than a student, more than a philosopher. He is a believer, and the object of his faith makes the difference, the mighty difference. Of all persons the Christian should be best prepared for whatever the New Year brings. He has dealt with life at its source. In Christ he has disposed of a thousand enemies that other men must face alone and unprepared. He can face his tomorrow cheerful and unafraid because yesterday he turned his feet into the ways of peace and today he lives in God. The man who has made God his dwelling place will always have a safe habitation."1

Happy New Year!

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Footnote:
1. A.W. Tozer, The Warfare of the Spirit.

Worldview and Apologetics in the News


The Year in Review: Three Major Advances for Intelligent Design

Near Year's Resolutions about God Are Popular, Lifeway Poll Shows

Ice Cube Reveals Faith-Based Reason Chris Tucker Turned Down $10 to $12 Million for ‘Friday’ Sequel

Top 10 CT News Stories of the Year

‘The Chosen’ debuts in France on major TV network, on mission to reach billion people worldwide

Billie Eilish and the fight against pornography

Apologetics 315 Podcast 054 – Talk About Doubts with Jonathan McLatchie

Movie Review: American Underdog 


TruthB.O.M.B. Book Review - Jesus Conversations by Dave Sterrett

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Our last edition is here.