From Pastor Biar’s Pen 

New Bible Study

            The Sunday after Labor Day, we’re kicking off our next morning study on an overview of apologetics. Modern vernacular equates an apology with saying you’re sorry for something, but the original root word means to give a defense. Apologetics, then, is the field of study dedicated to defending the faith – either in demonstrating the evidence for the historicity of Scripture’s claims, the philosophical arguments for God, or answering common objections made against Christianity such as the problem of evil or why Jesus can’t be just a good, moral, but not divine teacher. 

            Apologetics sometimes gets a bit of a bad reputation in LCMS circles, largely due to our doctrine of election. It tends to be a tool used within Evangelical circles and those who hold to decision-theology – thinking that they can craft the perfect argument in order to persuade someone by logic and reason to “make a decision for Jesus,” and so Lutherans tend to keep the field at arm’s length. However, it is a useful tool to have some experience with. Not only can it strengthen your own faith by helping you trust in the evidence God has given us while using the gift of reason with which you have been endowed, but it can be used as part of your witness as well. No, I’m not a closet-Baptist who thinks people can just decide to follow Jesus even though they’re currently dead in their sins; you don’t have to try to argue someone into faith. However, having responses to common objections can help break down the walls and barriers people put up to steel themselves against the Holy Spirit’s influence and perhaps soften their hearts enough to let Him do His task without being outright rejected. We do have a Scriptural imperative from St. Peter to “always be prepared to give a defense for the hope that is within you,” and apologetics is just the formal study of that defense.

            So, while I always encourage you to come a bit early on Sundays to join us in the classroom, this is your reminder that there’s no time like the present as a new study is just beginning to come along for the ride and put your logic muscles to work as we talk about talking about God.

God’s blessings, Pastor Biar

Pages