Kaliwanagan Kay Kristo: May 4, 2017 - "People Do Not Come to Faith By Arguments" || John Pesebre

Question 1: What is the brief statement of the doubt?

Sa isang Facebook chat, nagulat si Orly nang sabihan siya ng isang ka-churchmate na “People do not come to faith by arguments.” Nagulat si Orly.

Ako naman hindi na ako nagulat kasi marami na rin sa aking nagsabi ng ganyan. Sa episode na ito, we will talk about that doubt: "People do not come to faith by arguments."

Question 2: Where did this doubt come from?

It is quite unfortunate na ang pag-ikot ng issue na ito ay nangyayari sa mga Christian circles. For example, Brian Chilton tells a very similar experience kay Orly,

• Some time ago, I was in a meeting with pastors and other church leaders from various backgrounds discussing a potential ministry opportunity. I noted the importance that apologetics plays in the realm of collegiate ministries, especially with the mainstream attacks on Christianity from ultra-liberal voices . . . To my surprise, one particular ministry leader said, “It’s my experience that people are not brought to faith by arguments.” The statement was shocking enough. However, I was even more bewildered by some who seemed to agree with him.(link)

Now tama naman si Pastor Chilton na hindi fair na idemonize ang mga Christians who say this kasi it is quite possible that they are really very kind and godly people, most especially has a high view of the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

In my observations with proponents of  #neighborology, ang source kalimitan netong objection na ito ay sa displeasure nila sa over-dependence ng modernity sa reason. Ang apologetics daw think “arguments do not really bring people into faith. Faith is a matter of the heart, not of the mind.”

Madaling maintindihan naman ang na kung totoo ito, ang Christianity by using apologetics puts Reason about God.

Question 3: What is wrong about this doubt?

While it is true that arguments alone do not bring a person to faith, but arguments are not inconsistent with the work of the Holy Spirit.

Question 4: How is it wrong?

Instead of solving problems, the statement "People do not come to faith by arguments" does nto solve a problem but actually is causing the same mistake that it is trying to correct and also is creating another problem. Para tuloy it is causing more problems than it solves

By way objection/refutation, the statement “People don’t come to faith by arguments” is self-refuting dahil kung sinusubukan ng statement na ito na ilayo tayo sa argumentation para mapalapit tayo sa Panginoon, gumagamit din siya ng arguments.

By way of affirming our Christian commitments, let us look first at Titus 1:9 with Paul admonishing elders, “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” Napaka explicit na “refute those who oppose it.” In doing this you have to employ argumentation.

Brian Chilton explains,

• the Bible presents several examples where people came to faith or were persuaded to faith by various argumentations. For instance, the miracles and teachings of Jesus provided a case for His claim to be Messiah. The miracles served as a sign. Why were such signs offered? Signs were provided to present an argument for the Messianic claims of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus argues that “the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me” (John 5:36). In addition, Jesus challenged His adversaries to “search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39). Other examples could be offered such as Paul’s defense of the faith before various groups of people, including the Athenians. Consider Philip’s argumentation to the Ethiopian that Isaiah 53 referred to Jesus of Nazareth. All such arguments were used to bring people to faith. (ibid)

Question 5: What wrong idea about God is this doubt trying to create?

God uses truth to reveal to us His trustworthiness.  Mayroon sa Greek mythology na ang pangalan ay Apate who “was the personification of deceit. Her Roman equivalent was Fraus (i.e. "fraud"). She was a companion of the Pseudologoi (Lies). Her male counterpart was Dolos, daemon of trickery.” (wiki)

Doubters tend to think that the True and Living God is a deceiver. This means they have not yet studied carefully and systematically what the Bible teaches about the trustworthiness of God.

Question 6: What is the Biblical teaching about God that recuperates this wrong idea about God?

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, You would have known my Father also. From now on you know him and have seen him” (John 14:6–7). The Son of God testifies that He is the truth. He is also telling His audience a very important truth. RC Sproul writes, “Truth is not defined by our own subjective standards; it is determined by the Source of truth Himself.”

Question 7: What application can you draw from this correct teaching about God?

Study John 14:6-7 and answer the question: What very important truths can you see that Jesus is talking about?

Reflect on this question: Why are these truths important to your relationship with Christ?

Question 8: What action point can you resolve to do at this point?

Ang mga katotohanan ng Diyos ay masusumpungan natin sa patuloy na pag aaral ng Salita ng Diyos. Gawin natin ang habit na magkaroon ng pang-araw araw na pagbubukas at pagbabasa ng Bible.