Apologetics 1: Be Prepared — with Alexandra Nitzschke
Believer, are you prepared to defend your faith? Our dear friend Alexandra is back as a guest this week to kick off our mini series on apologetics! This episode, Alexandra joins Janet to discuss 1 Peter 3:15 and how we as believers can answer the biblical call to always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in us.
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Resources
Books
Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know - Wayne Grudem
Case for a Creator - Lee Strobel
The God Who is There - D. A. Carson
Expository Apologetics - Voddie Baucham
Other
Creation Museum /Answers in Genesis
Transcript:
Janet: Welcome back. I'm here once again, with Alexandra, who this time is launching us on a series on apologetics. This fall, the college girls in your ministry, I know, studied this topic. And I'm excited to hear about it and hear why it's so important to you. So why is this a passion for you?
Alexandra: Well, Janet, I think it's been a burden on my heart because I just see so many young people in our country walking away from evangelical Christianity. These are people that grew up professing to be believers, and then suddenly they don't want anything to do with Christianity. And so the big question is why?
Janet: Yeah. What happened?
Alexandra: Yeah. And I want to start off by saying, I want us to be really sensitive. And I know you will be, but I want people to know we are going to try to be really sensitive around this topic because a lot of deconstruction stories hinge on a point of suffering that revealed cracks in what they believe. And we certainly do not want to be dismissive about that.
Janet: The other thing that I think, you know, depending on how you define deconstruction, if it means getting rid of the things that were never true, but I thought were true and then replacing them with what is true. That can be a helpful thing. And hopefully that's what we're going to be talking about.
Alexandra: Yeah. Yeah, exactly. So as we get started, let's go ahead and define our terms. So we're talking about, this is basically the, what, why and how of apologetics. So what is apologetics? simply put apologetics is the defense of the faith. So in our country, I think that a lot of young people are starting to ask really hard questions, which is good, but a big problem is that there are not many that pick up a book and study. So Janet, I'm curious on what you think, why do you think that younger people are not wanting to read and study? And this is not everyone. I'm sure there's going to be at least one younger person saying, Hey, that's not me, but.
Janet: Oh. As always. Yeah, I think it's a variety of things. I do think that the young people asking really good questions, don't always trust the people that are writing the books. Um, and can we just say, in general, as someone who has been young, and in my heart sometimes spiritually still am. We're pretty sure we know more than most of the people around us. So I think that's part of it. But I also think we're now a society that wants fast answers. Five minutes in line at McDonald's is way too long. Studying and digging takes way too long. Facebook article, talking points, all that I need to know. And then we just stay confused.
Alexandra: Yeah. I think that, we just, and this is not just a certain generation it's across the board. You know, we have an influencer culture. What happens on social media, sways what people believe. And I think in addition to that, emotions are of higher value than reason in America, at least. And, you know, this passage is talking a lot about reason and that's just not of interest in our culture. so I, you know, in addition to, you know, when people go to social media to use as their lens to view the culture, as a result, I think that we just have a nation of young people who don't really know the real Jesus.
Janet: Right.
Alexandra: So apologetics, it's a tool to help us understand why people believe in Christianity. Why do I believe in Christianity? And so I want our listeners to want to know what they believe and why they believe it. So that one day, if they face or should I say, when they face suffering, it won't cause them to deconstruct, and they'll have a platform to stand on. So I hope that, you know, this isn't going to be an, exhaustive, you know, lecture on apologetics. It's just going to give you a taste of what is apologetics so that you're inspired to study it more. And, I just want the women listening to be deep thinkers and readers and lovers of the living God. And I want us all to be passionate truth seekers.
Janet: Excellent. But why? Why does it matter so much? We know what it is. We know that it can be helpful to us, but why is it that important that it's so important to you?
Alexandra: That's a great question. I think well, first of all, it's because God says it's important.
Janet: And that should be enough, right?
Alexandra: Yeah.
Janet: There you go.
Alexandra: But let's, take a step back and let's talk about two different kinds of beliefs. Okay. There's beliefs in versus belief that. Okay, so I'll give you an example from scripture. Satan believes that God exists.
Janet: Oh yeah. He knows.
Alexandra: He definitely knows. God created him. God kicked him out of heaven. They used to live in heaven. You know, they. He used.
Janet: Right. There's no doubt in Satan's mind that God is.
Alexandra: He knows. Oh, he knows that God exists. But he does not believe in God. He does not believe in Christ. So belief that God exists or that Jesus is the son of God is a matter of the mind knowing something. Okay, this is going to sound like, Jargon like Babel or whatever. But belief that God exists or that Jesus is the son of God is a matter of the mind knowing something based upon evidence that human reason can see. So, belief in God or Christ. It's a choice of the human will, under the persuasion of the Holy Spirit.
Janet: Yeah.
Alexandra: Okay. So it's not just, I'm not just looking at evidence. It's a choice of the human will. Okay. So believe that Jesus is God will never save anyone.
Janet: Alone. In that alone.
Alexandra: Yes. James 2:19 says, and I'm going to paraphrase this, you believe that God exists? Good. Even the demons believe, and they shudder. So only belief in Christ can save someone. So I think it's interesting, you know, we're Calvinists and we, you know, perseverance of the saints, this, that's what we believe. We don't believe that people can lose their salvation. So when we see someone walk away from Christianity, we have to, as we're assessing, not judging, but assessing what happened. I think these two different beliefs can be super helpful. Did that person believe that Christ is king, that Jesus died on the cross or did they believe in Jesus dying on the cross?
Janet: And we recognize, until, you know the last chapter, we won't know.
Alexandra: For sure.
Janet: I mean, people would have looked at the life of David and some of his sin and said he didn't believe, but he did.
Alexandra: For sure.
Janet: So we won't know, but we do recognize that there's a difference between knowing facts and moving my allegiance. When I believe in, I have moved my allegiance there.
Alexandra: Yes. Yes. And the reason why I'm bringing this up is that these two different types of beliefs, they are connected.
Janet: Yes.
Alexandra: Belief that in order to believe in something, you first have to believe that something is true, that the evidence of that is true. I'm going to give you an example. Okay. So, in March of this year, I flew to Dallas. I went to Magnolia, got to visit that with my sister-in-law.
Janet: Fun.
Alexandra: Yeah, it was very fun, but, okay. So there is an airplane. And we flew from Indianapolis to Dallas. Okay. Now I had evidence that that airplane was safe. Okay. There's been thousands upon thousands of airplanes that have flown under this particular company without crashing. My parents have traveled a lot. So I've personal testimony that airplanes are safe. I went on it as a child, so I have personally, so I have a lot of evidence that airplanes are safe. But I didn't believe in the airplane until I stepped onto the airplane.
Janet: Right.
Alexandra: But I really couldn't have believed in the airplane unless I first had evidence that the airplane was safe. I hope I'm not losing anyone, but I just, I found this really fascinating as I was studying this. because I think it's the reason why apologetics is important. Apologetics is important because it's an important step of believing that the gospel is true before…
Janet: Yeah. And then I decide what I believe in.
Alexandra: Yes, exactly. Exactly. Okay, so let's go to scripture and not just talk about hypothetics. Janet, would you please read for us? first Peter three verses 13 through 17,
Janet:Sure. Now who is there to harm you, if you're zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ, the Lord as holy. Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience so that when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it's better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
Alexandra: Thank you, Janet. So our main verse that we're going to be looking at is verse 15. but I wanted to read it in the context of the passage.
Janet: Always a good idea.
Alexandra: Always a good idea. Yeah. let's start with verses 13 and 14, which said, now, who is there to harm you if you're zealous for what is good, but even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them nor be troubled. So it's interesting that he's talking about suffering as we're talking about being prepared. So the book of first Peter, it's a letter to people who are suffering under heavy persecution for their faith. and it was a situation that was escalating. And much of this letter is meant to be an encouragement to those suffering that hostility from society because of their dedication to Christ. So the purpose of First Peter is to teach these believers how to be victorious under the persecution of their faith without losing hope, without becoming bitter, while trusting in the Lord and while putting their hope in the second coming of Christ. So, although we in this room and we in this country are currently not experiencing persecution to the level that these levels…
Janet: Absolutely not.
Alexandra: were facing. These believers were facing. There is still much to be applied because America is no longer an evangelical christian nation. We do live in a country that is hostile to the name and person of Jesus. They're hostile to holiness. They're hostile to the name of Christ. And it's only going to be increasingly so. Peter starts this passage of scripture by saying there is security in being zealous for good. But first let's talk about what does it mean to be zealous? So someone who is zealous is a person with passion. So Janet, in addition to your faith in God, what are some things that you are passionate about?
Janet: Well, that's kind of mean, you just said in addition to your faith in God, but okay.
Alexandra: I'm assuming that that's the most passionate thing in your life.
Janet: Well, okay. First I'm going to cheat and say within that category of faith in God, when I think about that question, I am really passionate that people know that God really does have answers. That's why we're doing this podcast. For their struggles, for their issues. Just that his word really, really is sufficient. what else? I guess, you know what? I am pretty passionate about my family. you can just ask my husband because we are now parenting all adult children. And I'm always saying, you know what, we should have them over. You know what, we should have them over. And he's always reminding me that they have lives too. And he doesn't want them to feel pressured to always have to be with us. But, I'm pretty passionate about my family.
Alexandra: Yeah. I mean, that's what I was thinking too is, you know, I'm pretty passionate about the Lord and theology and all that stuff. But in addition to that, you know, I'm passionate about creating good memories with my family, you know, quality time with my family. There are many things that we can be passionate about. It doesn't have to all be about church related stuff. But the question becomes, what are we most passionate about? What are we most zealous for? Some things are inherently neutral or even good, but it can be a temptation to elevate them too high.
Janet: Yeah.
Alexandra: Some things I was thinking of that, I think can be easy to elevate too high, success or even wealth or financial security, looking youthful pretty or in shape, et cetera, popularity, followers, or likes on Instagram, comfort, approval of others, acceptance, things like getting a boyfriend or getting married or having a baby, getting your dream job, getting a certian GPA in college or high school, you know,
Janet: And all those things, like you said are good. Until they're the most thing that I'm passionate about. And if you listen to other episodes, that's what we call idolatry when I'm worshiping those things. Yeah.
Alexandra: And so Peter is saying here don't be lukewarm, be zealous, but be zealous for what is good. Be in love with goodness. And that makes me think of Psalm 119:68, "You were good. And you do only good. Teach me your statutes." God is goodness. So Jesus had that passion and he's our model. Yet, I think we need to, I mean, a huge point in this passage is he suffered for his zeal. He was murdered for it.
Janet: Yeah.
Alexandra: This is a hard question. I'm not being accusatory, cause I'm not looking at anyone, anyone in our audience face to face.
Janet: Except me. Go ahead, bring it on.
Alexandra: If you don't think that you're at risk for being hated for your faith right now, have we been bold enough for the sake of the gospel? Some of us, and it's so easy to be this way. I know I've struggled with this. Some of us are gripped by fear of someone not liking us because of the truth of the gospel. And if you happen to be in a debate, it can really freeze you because you want to be nice and you want to be liked. But, we can't let that stop us from being. Zealous for what is good.
Janet: And we can disguise that with, I don't want to be that mean Christian who's just talking about the facts and trying to debate someone and win. And that's true. But the other side of that is if I'm not sharing with them, the truth and the hope that their soul needs, I don't want to hide behind. I'm trying to be loving because that's really not very loving.
Alexandra: Yeah. So I'm going to give an example that is like a really small, small example of this. A couple of years ago, I posted on Facebook this news article about something called The Freedom March. And it is a group of people around the U S who struggle with same-sex attraction, who have said, I'm not going to live the homosexual lifestyle. I, even though I have this struggle, I'm going to live for Christ. And so they have something in a few major cities called The Freedom March. And it's just a group of people who have said we are going to live for Jesus, even though we have these struggles . I've never been to this March. I'm not advocating for it. I really don't know anything about it apart from that. But I posted this news article because I said, wow, that is so cool. I love that, people are encouraging one another to follow Christ and not to give into as we all... it's just another sinful...
Janet: are all distorted sinful, sexual desires.
Alexandra: Exactly. And my comment section under that post was rough. and that's just a really little example of, you know, when you share truth in a culture that hates truth, that hates the real truth. You're going to have some friction. You're going to see hostility because their hostility to Christ. And I think also just at the time of this recording, you know, we, we should be thinking about our brothers and sisters in Christ in Afghanistan right now.
Janet: Oh, heartbreaking.
Alexandra: They're suffering for the sake of the gospel. I don't think there's any shame for those who are in Christ, but it should, I don't know a better word, but it should shame us a little bit. It should embarrass us. For being concerned, whether or not people will be mean to us on social media for standing up for Jesus.
Janet: When our brothers and sisters are willing to die for it.
Alexandra: Exactly, if, you know, where I can get concerned, if I want people to like me, you know, but there are people, men and women today who are being murdered for proclaiming the name of Christ.
Janet: And many who chose to stay behind because they so loved the others there that they would rather face that.
Alexandra: That should sober me and bring a reality when I struggle with, I want to be liked.
Janet: Yeah.
Alexandra: So, don't be controlled by others, negative opinions of you. And I'm preaching this to myself. Cause I struggle with that. But we can find our security in the one who was just and righteous, who sees our hearts and loves us anyway. So that's what is going on in this passage that brings us to our main verse verse 15. It says, "in your hearts honor, Christ the Lord as holy always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason, for the hope that is in you." So honor Christ the Lord as holy. What that means is that he is my standard of truth. He's the holy one. And because of the Lord's holiness, I obey what he says and he says, always be prepared. So, Janet, what does it take to always be prepared for a task? What would you need to do to always be prepared?
Janet: Oh, man. When I think about that, it's like, I don't even have to think I am so familiar with something it's so much in my head that it comes naturally. And it makes me think about the example we've talked about in other scenarios in our home, you know, we don't have to think about everything before we do it. Like, I don't have to think about how to brush my teeth. I'm prepared to do that. I don't have to think a lot about it. I don't have to think about how to drive, though my husband might suggest I did a little more of that. But I'm prepared because I've done it so many times. I've thought about it so much. It's so much a part of who I am that I don't have to think about it in advance. I'm just ready.
Alexandra: I haven't thought of about it like that, but yeah, that's totally true. I was thinking about it. Like, the visual I had in my head was like, if you're in a class and your teacher says at some point this semester, you're going to have a pop quiz. And what would it take to be prepared for the pop quiz at any point?
Janet: You're studying along the way.
Alexandra: You're reviewing it. Yeah. Yeah. So it's the same concept here. What we're both seeing, what are we commanded to be prepared for though? It's to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Paul is simply saying you need to be able to defend Christianity and to defend what you believe.
Janet: And I just love, you've already talked about the context, because I think we read that verse and we think, yeah, I need to be ready to tell them you are so wrong. The context is about suffering. And you're supposed to suffer so differently than the world, that they look at you and go, what is your deal? And then you get to share the hope for how you can suffer well. There's nothing arrogant and I know better than you about that. It's be prepared. The best defense of Christianity is your life and you're shining in suffering right now. Be prepared to explain why.
Alexandra: And you know what, that hopefully gives some encouragement to someone who's suffering today who may be listening. Is that man...
Janet: This is your platform.
Alexandra: Yes. Yes. It's not for nothing like the Lord uses our times of suffering to really honestly, give us a microphone.
Janet: Yes.
Alexandra: For why we hope in the Lord and why we're not giving into despair. Excellent. So, the Greek word in verse 15. And you know what? I taught this to our college girls at a retreat and I forgot to ask Stefan how to pronounce the Greek word. And then I forgot to ask him before I came today.
Janet: So for all time and eternity on this podcast, we're going to hear how Alexandra thinks it should be said.
Alexandra: This is, yes, girl who Googles. The Greek word is apologia, that was not very confident. Apologia, which means to give an answer, to give a defense and to verbally make a cause for something. So, the main thing to walk away from what does this word mean is: this is based on reason. Okay. the word, that we're talking about is, "be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason, for the hope that is in you." It's where we get the word apologetics.
Janet: Yeah. And it's fascinating that we talk loudly and we seem to think we're using reason. But what I see in our society today is that each person's already decided what they believe. They already know what they want to say, and we just keep repeating talking points to each other instead of reasoning with each other. Help me understand why you think that. Let me explain to you why I think that. That's just not what our culture is like right now.
Alexandra: Yep. And I don't even think that our culture values reason at all.
Janet: I agree.
Alexandra: Yeah. And it's exactly why we're using this passage as a plea to pursue apologetics. Hope is an emotion, you know, but this verse tells us to have a reason for our hope.
Janet: Yeah.
Alexandra: So it's not just to be hopeful, but to be able to articulate why you're hopeful. So, Janet, when do you think that hope, and we kind of already talked about this a little bit, but when do you think that hope is most needed or most evident in a Christian's life?
Janet: And isn't that interesting, because that's the context of this book. To think, well, frequently, when do I need hope? It's when, what I think ought to be happening is not happening. When God says, as you sow, you shall reap and I'm sowing and I'm reaping what doesn't seem to fit now long-term God is always right. But when my current reality doesn't seem to fit with what I think. I have a sure hope for the future. And then I can even endure suffering differently. I endure it with hope.
Alexandra: So I looked on Bible gateway.com and this will differ, depending on what translation you're looking up, but, the word hope occurs 164 times in the ESV Bible. So the majority of these take place in the Psalms and is often used in the phrase "hope in God." So hope it truly is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. And a true persevering hope, it can only happen when our hope is in Christ.
Janet: He's the only sure thing.
Alexandra: Exactly. So for a true believer, someone who believes in Christ, not that Jesus died on the cross, but believes in Christ. We see in Romans five, three through four, that suffering produces an increasing hope in God, which means that when I suffer, I'm not walking away from God permanently. I'm speaking of believers.
Janet: Yep.
Alexandra: Okay. So, now that we've kind of discussed a very brief intro on what is apologetics, it's defense of the faith. We talked about where the word apologetics comes from, verse 15 reason. So let's talk about how we do apologetics. So, Janet, why do you think that some people are turned away from wanting to engage in apologetics?
Janet: There's probably several reasons. I think one of them, we feel like we have to have a PhD in all the original languages. So unless I know everything, I don't want to get out there, which really is just, I don't want to be humble, but I also think we might equate apologetics with arguing and debating. And what we see on social media is I'm going to own that person and I want to put them in their place. And so if my goal was to win, suddenly apologetic seems to be at odds with loving my neighbor. 'cause I'm trying to make them feel stupid.
Alexandra: You said, like, I feel like I need to have a PhD before I'm able to do this. And that reminded me of like how I got into apologetics in the first place. And I have family members who are really passionate about apologetics and I've always just, it's mainly the science apologetics.
Janet: Yeah.
Alexandra: And I am not sciency. Like my brain just does not tick, well, I'm not zealous for science. It has its place. It's just not how the Lord has gifted me. And so I've always been really timid about pursuing apologetics. Cause I've just thought, man, I'm too dumb for that. But it wasn't until in 2020, the death of George Floyd and then all the race riots and everything that happened that summer in our country, I discovered something called cultural apologetics. So how to view...
Janet: Which is more of a passion for you.
Alexandra: It is definitely.
Janet: Is loving our culture.
Alexandra: Yes. Because our audience members probably don't know this because they can't see us. Right. They're just listening. But, I have five children and two of my children are African-American and so everything that happened, and I'm not going to share my beliefs on that or where my husband and I believe truth existed in that, you know, all that, but I'm what I'm going to say is it felt, it suddenly became very personal to me. I have to figure this out. I have to figure out where is the truth. Cause what social media is saying, it doesn't seem to be paralleled with the gospel of grace. So that is what really sparked my interest in apologetics. And I discovered, you know, it's, we're just called to just study and learn.
Janet: Suddenly it was practical for everyday life.
Alexandra: Exactly, exactly. It doesn't have just to be about science. And, you know, I have a friend, a very sweet friend, who I asked her when we did this little retreat on apologetics at our college ministry. I asked her to teach on science apologetics. So there's different facets of apologetics that depending on where your passions are, I'm sure there's different branches that can appeal to different people in our audience today. So verse 15 at the end of it, it says do this with gentleness and respect. So...
Janet: So apparently it can be done and love my neighbor.
Alexandra: Yes. So gentleness, what does it look like for us to treat someone who believes differently than us with gentleness?
Janet: Yeah.
Alexandra: I think about, And I guess we can also ask the question. What does it look like for us to treat someone who believes differently than us with respect? I think the end goal, there's a variety of different ways that you can do it, and I'm not here to give out a list of do's and don'ts. But I think one thing is that the person should walk away from a conversation about apologetics, knowing that they are valued by God and valued by us.
Janet: Yes, yes. And they were heard.
Alexandra: Yeah, and I think that this part of the verse it can be often skipped in the heat of a debate, the gentleness and respect aspect, and someone who does this really well is Tim Keller. I've watched his reason for God videos. He does this very well. And there are others too of course. Okay. So verses 16 and 17, it says having a good conscience so that when you are slandered, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame for it is better to suffer for doing good if that should be God's will than for doing evil So what Peter is saying here is live with a clear conscience. A conscience that doesn't condemn you, because if you are zealous for what is good, and if you experience hostility and criticism, as a result, you won't have guilt. If you're living a life of sin, meaning, if you're not pursuing Christ in all things, someone who calls themselves a Christian, but maybe acts differently in the dark, acts differently away from your church friends, your actions do not fall in line with your beliefs. So I'm not talking about someone who is like a believer who's struggling with sin like Roman seven. I'm talking about an unbeliever who's trying to fake it till you make it. If this describes you, then you have no defense against criticism. 'cause a believer, our only defense, our only way of living with a clear conscience means that we're taking this regular time each day to confess before the Lord areas where we are failures. And we're walking in repentance of the areas of our lives, where the Holy Spirit has convicted us. That is not in line with Scripture. So, if you are good with God, it's okay if others slander you.
Janet: And I love not only is it okay because you know, you're right with God, but part of what keeps you right with God is the humility of seeing how sinful you are. You've just said that, that they have to be repenting all the time. So it's a little bit easier to understand that the person slandering me, they sin too, but I do too. I just have someone to go to with it.
Alexandra: Yeah. Yeah. You know, God sees what's going on. God sees the truth and He's king. And when others hate us for pursuing truth, we're safe because we're His. So these verses, they offer us an opportunity to change our perspective on suffering for the sake of the gospel. You can suffer hostility for the sake of the gospel. If God wills it, or you can suffer for what is wrong. I mean, there's obviously more types of suffering, but I mean, it's better to suffer in this way, suffering for the Lord then to suffer from my...
Janet: Because of my sin.
Alexandra: Exactly, and God is sovereign over both of those situations.
Janet: Yeah.
Alexandra: So I think we need to be honest that we will face suffering at some point in our lives and it is likely that we can either bow to the value system of our culture and the suffering by living away from the gospel of grace, or you can suffer by standing up for Christ in a world that is hostile to the hostile to the gospel. So. I kind of, some of this stuff is like theory. and some people may, it can be easy to get lost in conversations about theory, but I think what I want people to walk away with is knowing that we're called to be prepared, but it's out of a heart of love. And, like I said, it is likely due to the climate of our country. That if you haven't already, you will suffer in one degree or another for standing up for truth. But we can't be controlled by fear of backlash. God does call us to always be prepared, to give a reason for our hope and to do this, we need to know what we believe.
Janet: Yeah.
Alexandra: So there are many doctrines in Christianity, not all doctrines are necessary to get saved. You know, there's different denominations that disagree on different doctrines and that is okay. Many of us will go to heaven and rejoice at our pursuit of biblical truth. But there are a few doctrines that a person must believe in to be saved. And I could honestly, I could do a whole podcast episode on that, but in the simplest form must believe. And remember, we're talking about that versus belief in this is a person must believe in Jesus dying for our sins and rising again. They must believe in Jesus as Lord, which means master. Excuse me, we described to our kids that Lord can mean master, but in the New Testament, the word Lord literally means deity. So one cannot deny the deity of Christ. I love Romans 10, nine through 11. It says, "if you confess with your mouth, that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart, that God raised him from the dead you will be saved for, with the heart one believes and is justified. And with the mouth, one confesses and is saved for the scripture, says everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." And the reason why I bring up this last part is that, Yes, there are many facets of Christianity that we can study, but the gospel is also simple enough for a child to believe.
Janet: Right.
Alexandra: You know, we believe in Jesus. We believe that he died for our sins and that he is Lord and master. and Romans 10 helps remind us that...
Janet: just encapsulates it.
Alexandra: Everyone has an opportunity to believe in Christ.
Janet: Yeah.
Alexandra: Some application from this episode, something to ask yourself is, am I prepared to share why I find my hope in God? Maybe someone needs to pick up a new book that helps them study this topic more.
Janet: Yeah. And just don't be intimidated by it. I can learn to be confident in what I believe, and learn that God's word can handle my questions and then I'll be even more loving. And I'll be able to give hope and answers to anyone who might be asking, because I really believe this God gives better answers than the world. So being prepared with answers is not. So I win it's because his answers are better and the person I'm talking to, I want that for them. I'm giving them good news.
Alexandra: Excellent. So some resources, if, anyone's listening. Huh, okay, I'm ready. I want to...
Janet: Now what?
Alexandra: I want to read. There's a few books that we'll link in our show notes that I found to be really helpful. Wayne Grudem wrote a book called Christian beliefs 20 basics every Christian should know. If we have a college student that gets saved, that's one of the first books that I will go over with them. It's just a simple, it's like a very simple version of, systematic theory. Like very easy.
Janet: Accessible.
Alexandra: Thank you. Yeah. The creation museum and Answers In Genesis, they have so many materials for kids, adults, DVDs, books. They've got so much. The case for Christ, the case for creation by Lee Strobel. He has many books.
Janet: Very solid writer.
Alexandra: Yes. Yes. Timothy Keller has a book called the Reason for God. He also has, a video series that I've watched on Right Now Media. I'm sure you can watch another places. DA Carson has the God who is there also a book and video series. And then Voddie Bauchman, who's one of my favorite authors, Expositional Apologetics.
Janet: Excellent. Well, hopefully this is at least wet your appetite, that apologetics is not dry academia, trying to be better than the other person. It's in this passage when I'm in the midst of life and life is hard, the way I live should be an apologetic showing that God is true. And then when people ask, I want to be prepared to love them well, and know why I believe what I believe so that I can encourage them. So if you are a science-y person, as Alexandra mentioned today, just know we're going to do one on apologetics and science. So come back and we'll see you for our next episode.
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