Lee Strobel: We’re on Cusp of Golden Era of Apologetics, Christian News.
I have really gotten into apologetics books lately, in case you are not familiar with them, apologetics is the defense of something, in this case the defense of the Christan faith. You might have heard of Lee Strobel. he wrote a book called The Case For Christ. He was an atheist journalist who was studying the Bible and it’s historical claims with the goal of proving them wrong. In the process, he was converted! (If that story sounds familiar to you, it may be because it is also the story of C.S. Lewis.)
In this article Strobel says that even though skepticism is on the rise, it presents a great opportunity for evangelism because more than ever before Christan are becoming interested in learning to defend their faith. Also, the rise in skepticism has made for a rise in formal debates between Christan apologists and apologists for other faiths and well as debates with skeptics.
I have never read Lee Strobel’s book, but I heard him speak at C3 conference at Fellowship Church in Dallas, TX this February. I was really intrigued by a type of group he is involved with at Willow Creek Church, called Spiritual Discovery Groups. These are basically small groups for skeptics (agnostics/atheists) that attend the church. The groups are described as a safe place to express doubt and struggle with questions of God’s existence. Strobel reported that in these groups they experience and 80% (!!!!!!) conversion rate. Wow!
What do you think about the spiritual discovery groups Strobel talked about? Do you have any friends who would attend one? Do you ever read apologetics books? If so, let me know which ones you like so I can check them out.
This is so interesting. There is a young man that a relative of mine is dating that is very logically minded and has never had an experience with God so he claims to be agnostic. However, he will sit down and listen to what anyone has to say. Seems like a group like this would really help someone like him. He lives in Orlando, but will come to church when they visit.
I would love to have a group at Celebration that teaches these sorts of things! I believe fully but I never really know how to verbalize and defend it when someone who does not believe as I do questions me. Conveying that it’s something that you know to be true with the core of your being does not translate to someone who has never felt the Holy Spirit on the inside of themselves.
Hey PK Lee Stobel has two really good documentaries on Netflix, I enjoyed watching his process! You should check them out (esp if you dont have time to read the books)
xoxoxox
Hi – I have read The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith (both on Netflix) and working on The Case for a Creator right now! EXCELLENT books, and the documentaries are great too (but like everything, the books are better!). I would recommend MERE CHRISTIANITY by C.S. Lewis and while you’re on it, check out THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS by Lewis. What is striking about Lewis’ work is that he was writing 70 years ago and it’s still relevant today. I feel lead by the Lord to read these books because I keep finding them at thrift stores! I just picked up REASONABLE FAITH. It’s as if God is putting those books out there for me to find. I feel that He is preparing me for something…
Hi PK! So cool you heard Lee Strobel at C3! When I was at Flagler College, and apart of InterVarsity, we had small groups to reach the seekers/skeptics called GIGs – Groups Investigating God. The big idea behind it was to invite people you were friends with/have some connection who where open to discussing spiritual topics to look at what the Bible says about who “Jesus/God” is and “Who am I?” We had many GIGs groups going on and it is a great strategy to gather the lost in a non-threatening environment and let the Word speak for itself. I can remember hearing the comment all the time of “the bible is full of contradictions” and asking the person, “okay, what contradiction are you talking about” and they couldn’t give me an answer — it was something they heard, but never really looked at the bible for themselves. People came to know Jesus thru our groups and it’s a powerful way to reach people!
Hi Pastor Kerri! I went ahead and watched the Lee Strobel movie on Netflix and now I want to read the book! The Holy Spirit has been leading me to study the bible, in such a way, so I can defend my faith to others. We’ve had an influx of Jehovah’s Witnesses in my neighborhood, knocking on doors and God has given me the opportunity to share the real Jesus with them. (I wouldn’t recommend anyone doing that unless they are spiritually prepared, comfortable being challenged scripturally, and lead by the Holy Spirit.)
I have found that I have a passion for apologetics, to be able to defend my faith. It is really important for Christians to know how to stand up for what they believe and to be able to use scripture to back up their faith. So many people are swayed by others’ convictions but the bible teaches us to stand firm…
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11NKJV
Wow Libby! Thats so great– I’m really proud of you for taking initiative to learn more! Xx
I can echo Toni Camp’s statement above…almost word-for-word. I also have a family member who’s dating a guy who’s questioning his faith. He lives in Tally though. He seemed to be strong in his faith until he went to a University, where some of the classes started putting some doubtful thoughts into his head. I have another friend locally who was raised to compare every teaching with Scripture (which is a good thing). But, in the meantime, it seems as though he’s lost his passion for Christ, and has become more technical about his relationship with the Lord. So, yes! I think a class like the one you described would be a great resource! It would help those kind of people to have a better, clearer understanding. And, would give them a more guided approach to the questioning attitude they have.