Bulletins - First Baptist Church of Huntersville West Virginia

Tonight we are beginning a new series titled - Defending the Faith: Why We Believe What We Believe.
It will only take 12 weeks and then we will return to the Old Testament and 2 Kings.
The overall series is based on what we call - Apologetics.
Apologetics is the rational defense of the Christian faith and it involves:
Giving reasons for why Christianity is true
Answering objections and challenges to the faith
Removing intellectual barriers to belief
Demonstrating the reasonableness of Christian claims
The term comes from the Greek "apologia" (ἀπολογία), meaning "a defense" or "a reasoned statement or argument." In ancient Greek culture, an apologia was a formal defense speech delivered in a court of law.
We get the concept of apologetics from 1 Peter 3:15 “15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”
The word “defense” is that Greek word “apologia”. While the word is found in 1 Peter we also find the practice of apologetics in other passages:
Acts 17:2–3 “2 As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.””
Acts 18:4 “4 He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks.”
Philippians 1:7 “7 Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.” and Philippians 1:16 “16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;”
2 Corinthians 10:5 “5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Jude 3 “3 Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all.”
Apologetics is NOT:
Apologizing for being a Christian.
Being sorry about our faith.
Making excuses.
It is confidently and lovingly explaining why we believer what we believe, just as we might explain to someone why a particular mountain trail is worth hiking based on your experience - you’d share evidence, personal testimony and logical reasons.
The heart of apologetics is found in 1 Peter 3:16 “16 Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.”
It is not about winning arguments but about removing barriers so people can see the truth of Christ clearly.
So let’s dive in.. the best place to being is by answering the question, “What is Truth?”
John 18:37–38 CSB
37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 “What is truth?” said Pilate. After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds for charging him.
The goal is show that there is such thing as absolute truth and it can be known. If truth cannot be known then faith has no foundation.
By the end of the series I hope to show that Christian truth claims are objective and verifiable.
Objective Truth - Objective truth refers to facts that are mind-independent. This means they remain true regardless of whether anyone believes them, knows them, or even exists to observe them.
Basis: Verifiable data, evidence, and universal laws
Verification: Can be confirmed through scientific methods, mathematical proofs, or empirical observation.
Subjective Truth - Subjective truth refers to claims that are mind-dependent. These truths are based on personal perspectives, feelings, opinions, or individual experiences.
Basis: Internal sensations, preferences, and personal interpretations.
Verification: Cannot be universally verified by outside standards; they are true for the "subject" experiencing them.
So let me ask you a question - If someone gave you wrong directions, would it matter that they sincerely believed they were right?
Another way to ask it - If you doctor diagnosed you incorrectly or prescribed the wrong medicine, would it matter that they sincerely believed they were right?
Pilate asked the right question, “What is truth?” but if you notice he didn’t stay around and wait for the answer. Ironically, he had the answer standing right in front of him - many people are looking for the same answer but either do not listen or look in the wrong places.
Some modern views of truth
Probably the most common worldview of truth is RELATIVISM – it says, “What is true for me may not be true for you. This works hand in hand with the “existential theory” or “subjectivism,” which says, truth is deeply personal and subjective, rooted in individual experiences, so truth is different for everyone. The problem: contradictory claims cannot both be true.
Another is PRAGMATISM – this view says, “If it works for me, then it’s true.” The problem: something can appear to work temporarily yet remain false. A lie may “work” in the short term. I can tell myself, others can tell me that I am skinny, and for a while I may feel that way or act as if I am, but eventually I will face a moment where truth is tested… like bungee jumping.
POSTMODERNISM makes the claim that “All truth claims are just perspectives.” This issue is that the claim is presented as absolute truth, which makes it a self-defeating argument (we’ll discuss this further).
SKEPTICISM says that “We can’t really know truth.”
COHERENCE THEORY – something is true if it logically fits within a broader system of beliefs without contradiction. The problem: something can be internally consistent but still not true, ie, a fantasy novel.
CORRESPONDENCE THEORY – truth is what matches reality. If I say, “It’s raining outside,” that statement is only true is rain is falling from the sky. This is logical and consistent. It is the most common-sense approach and thus the one Christianity embraces. When we say, “Jesus rose from the dead,” we mean it actually happened in history and is not just a meaningful story.
Dealing with anyone of these views means we are dealing with a skeptic.
Engaging with Skeptics
When discussing truth with skeptics, it's beneficial to:
1. Understand their perspective: Knowing what they believe about truth can help tailor the conversation.
2. Use logical reasoning: Employ clear, logical arguments to discuss the nature of truth.
3. Share personal experiences: Personal stories about how truth has manifested in your life can be powerful.
Apologetic arguments for truth
Here are some approachable lines of reasoning you can use:
1. Logical consistency
- Truth cannot contradict itself. For example, if one religion says, “God exists,” and another says, “God does not exist,” they can’t both be true.
- Christianity asserts to be true in this full sense—not just offering spiritual comfort but actually explaining reality.
2. The “self-defeating” argument
- Many popular ideas about truth collapse under their own weight:
- “There is no truth.” → Is that statement true?
- “All truth is relative” → Is that relatively true? These statements contradict themselves, indicating that objective truth must exist.
3. Common sense and daily life
- We live as if truth is real every day: You expect your brakes to work based on the truth about physics.
- You trust medicine to heal based on true chemistry. If truth didn’t exist objectively, none of these would be reliable. It’s inconsistent to deny truth in philosophy but depend on it in life.
Common Arguments Against Truth and Christian Responses
1. "There is no absolute truth"
Their argument: Truth is relative; what's true for you isn't true for me.
Christian response:
Ask: "Is that statement absolutely true?" (This reveals the self-contradiction)
Point out: They don't live this way (they expect accurate bank statements, correct medical diagnoses)
Scripture: John 14:6 “6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” - notice it is not “a” truth but “the” truth.

2. "You can't know truth for certain."
Their argument: We can never be 100% sure about anything.
Christian response:
Ask: "Are you certain that you can't be certain about anything?"
We operate on reasonable certainty daily (sitting in chairs, driving cars)
God has revealed truth through creation (Romans 1:20 “20 For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.” ) and Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16 “16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,” )

3. "Science disproves religious truth."
Their argument: Only what science can prove is true.
Christian response:
Science itself rests on unprovable assumptions (laws of logic, reliability of our senses). Science answers "how" questions; religion answers "why" questions. Many great scientists were Christians (Newton, Kepler, Pasteur). Science can't prove/disprove things like love, beauty, or moral values

4. "All religions teach basically the same thing"
Their argument: Different paths lead to the same destination.
Christian response:
Religions make contradictory claims:
Christianity: Jesus is God
Islam: Jesus is not God
Buddhism: There is no personal God
Use the mountain illustration: Different paths up a mountain only work if they're actually going to the same peak
Jesus claimed exclusivity: John 14:6 “6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

5. "Truth is just a power play"
Their argument: Claims of truth are just attempts to control others.
Christian response:
If all truth claims are power plays, then so is their claim. Christianity actually empowers the powerless (blessed are the meek, love your enemies). Truth sets us free (John 8:32 “32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” ) rather than controls.

6. "My feelings determine my truth."
Their argument: If I feel it's true, then it's true for me.
Christian response:
Feelings change; truth doesn't
Illustration: Feeling healthy doesn't mean you don't have cancer
Jeremiah 17:9 “9 The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?”

7. "Truth is culturally conditioned."
Their argument: What's true in one culture isn't true in another.
Christian response:
Some things vary by culture (customs), but not fundamental truths. Math works the same in every culture. Basic moral truths (like caring for children) exist across cultures.
The gospel has transformed every culture it's entered

8. "You're just believing what you were raised to believe."
Their argument: Your truth is just social conditioning.
Christian response:
Genetic fallacy - the origin of a belief doesn't determine its truth. Many Christians (like C.S. Lewis) came to faith as adults from non-Christian backgrounds
Ask: "Were you raised to be skeptical? Does that make skepticism false?"

9. "Words have no fixed meaning"
Their argument: Language is fluid, so truth statements are meaningless.
Christian response:
They used words with expected meanings to make that claim. We successfully communicate every day. God created language and used it to reveal truth

10. "Truth is arrogant/intolerant"
Their argument: Claiming to know truth is prideful and divisive.
Christian response:
Is it arrogant for a doctor to insist on the correct diagnosis? True humility accepts truth even when it challenges us. Jesus was both absolutely certain of truth and perfectly humble
Real love tells the truth (Ephesians 4:15 “15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.”
Practical Tips for These Conversations
1. Ask Questions (The Columbo Tactic)
"What do you mean by that?"
"How did you come to that conclusion?"
"Have you considered...?"

2. Find Common Ground
Start with what you agree on
Show how they already believe in truth in practical areas

3. Use Illustrations
Drawing from your camping experiences, you might say: "When I'm hiking a mountain trail, I need the map to show true information. Wrong information could be dangerous. Why would ultimate reality be any different?"

4. Stay Gracious
Remember 1 Peter 3:16 - "with gentleness and reverence”
You're not trying to win an argument but to remove barriers to faith

5. Know When to Plant Seeds
Not every conversation ends in agreement
Sometimes you're just loosening the soil for future growth

The Ultimate Response
Remember that behind every intellectual argument is often a heart issue. Many people reject truth not because of logical problems but because:
- They don't want to be accountable to God
- They've been hurt by Christians
- They fear what accepting truth might cost them

Always be ready to share not just arguments but your testimony of how knowing the Truth (Jesus) has changed your life.
- - John 18:37–38CSB

John 18:37–38CSB