Dealing with Doubts - Rethinking Apologetics for the 21st Century, Part 2

The current moral decline and theological compromise among Christians is no longer concerning – it’s alarming. We see division and false teaching, even in the Church itself. What can those who care do? In this program, Chip explains how can we stand for biblical truth and winsomely communicate, even regarding controversial issues, with love and integrity - just like Jesus did.

Main Points

Rethinking our communication

• Yesterday: Apologetics were about what we believe and why. And it was aimed at answering the skeptic’s questions.
• Today: We need to aim apologetics first and foremost toward believers, especially young people.
• Yesterday: We needed to master facts, data, and history to intellectually prove what we believe is true.
• Today: We need to model a concerned and compassionate life-style that proves that what we believe is actually relevant.
• Yesterday: We needed to win the debate.
• Today: We need to win an audience.
• Yesterday: We communicated on a level playing field that presumed TRUTH was an objective reality.
• Today: We communicate on the shifting sands of TRUTH as a subjective reality.
• Yesterday: The Church and the culture shared a general knowledge of the Bible.
• Today: Both the Church and the world are biblically illiterate.
• Yesterday: Committed Christian men or women were admired.
• Today: Committed Christian men or women have been called “dangerous”.
• Yesterday: We could begin with the truth and then express grace.
• Today: We must begin with grace in order to share the truth.
• Yesterday: The moral climate and the values of major institutions like education, medicine, and the media reinforced our values.
• Today: The moral climate of major institutions challenge and ridicule our our faith.

What this means for you:

• The early Church had a living hope. --1 Peter 1:1-3
• They believed they had an inheritance. --1 Peter 1:4, 6
• We need to be sober in our thinking. --1 Peter 1:13-15
• We need to have a faith that is rooted in eternity that leads to living a holy life, which leads to a fervent love for others. --1 Peter 1:22-23
• Get rid of all hypocrisy, get rid of anger, and stop blaming. --1 Peter 2:1-2
• Have lips of praise and encouragement. --1 Peter 2:20-24
• The number one apologetic is your life. It’s a holy life, with an eternal perspective, that’s radically loving. --1 Peter 3:8-9

Broadcast Resource

• Download Free MP3
• Message Notes
• Resource Page

Additional Resource Mentions

• Why I Believe & Jesus Skeptic Book Bundle

About Chip Ingram

Chip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, and teacher for more than three decades, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways.

About Living on the Edge

Living on the Edge exists to help Christians live like Christians. Established in 1995 as the radio ministry of pastor and author Chip Ingram, God has since grown