In a Christian book shop this morning they were promoting a new apologetics book with the strapline:
Why God probably exists. Why Jesus is probably divine.
Hardly the language of revelation (i.e. of the gospel!)
The book consisted of four theistic proofs, a couple of chapters on Jesus and then some answers to thorny questions. An epilogue asked readers for their verdict on Jesus.
I mean really. What the?? You might as well say,
Here's little Jesus. He stands in the dock, but thank God he's got some excellent advocates called apologists. And they can prove there's a good chance He's God (and don't forget God probably does exist after all). So won't you please find in favour of the defendant?
.
That last quote is pretty close to the "Wah, wah-wah, wah..." I hear when I listen to apologetics. Is that really what it said?
The strap line is genuinely what was on the book. The last paragraph in quotation mark I made up
I can almost hear Luther turning in his grave :)
"The Holy Spirit is not a Sceptic, nor are what he has written on our hearts doubts or opinions, but assertions more certain, and more firm, than life itself and all human experience."
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)
If God probably exists, and Jesus is probably God, how is anyone without excuse?
People should read Van Til before they write books on apologetics
[attempted joke] Yes - like R.C. Sproul [/attempted joke]
;-)
An essay in "The Trinity in a Pluralistic Society" likened putting Jesus in the dock of this world's system of wisdom and power to presenting Yahweh before Baal in order to get a blessing from Baal!
Hey Inilah,
Glad to have you in comments. Good point. All the best with your new blog.
To all - if we are to eradicate the 'probably' then we must confront people with 'Thus sayeth the LORD'. This challenges all kinds of apologetics, not just Sproul's.
Here's the quote:
"It is unbelief to which the gospel is a scandal; a commitment to other truths, other gospels, other gods. Once this is seen, then the reckless folly (perhaps blasphemy is not too strong a word?) of seeking to afford the gospel warrant by appealing to prior canons of acceptability is manifest. It is to seek to justify faith on the basis of terms laid down by sinful unbelief, to bring Yahweh to Baal for his blessing." (Trevor Hart, 'Karl Barth, the Trinity, and Pluralism', in The Trinity in a Pluralistic Age)
To bring Yahweh to Baal for blessing! Wow!! Thanks Inilah