APOLOGETICS training by Dr. G. Bahnsen - I. The Myth of Neutrality

Dr. Greg L. Bahnsen - Basic Training for Defending the Faith.

The Myth of Neutrality
http://www.youtube.com/user/gregbahnsen#grid/user/84D83E778C15438F


In order to pull down any antagonistic reasoning, you must start thinking consistently, principally, and unwaveringly as a Christian.


Modern-day teaching

deconstruction: every reading of a text is a misreading; there is no objective meaning
...Therefore, the Bible cannot be considered truth because its text is cannot be generally conclusive if there is deconstruction.

Scripture
Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. --Jude v. 3

but in your hearts regard 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. --1 Peter 3:15

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. --2 Corinthians 10:4-5

In order to pull down any antagonistic reasoning, you must start thinking consistently, principally, and unwaveringly as a Christian.

When the contender argues you must be neutral, remember:

1. They aren't
2. You shouldn't be

• It's a con, like the guy who donates money to convince you to donate, & then takes off with everything.
• You must learn to be humble in order to defeat the opponent
• Don't let yourself be intellectual bullied: when they are using big words or ideas you aren't familiar with, don't be too prideful to ask or clarify
• Double standards: don't want to discriminate against group of people such as LGBT, or races, but silence religious views

Ephesians 4:17-24
So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
[19] But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lustsof deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
("Covenant breaker or Covenant keeper")

a) Jesus wants his followers to be set apart from the world and made holy.
    John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth."
b) It is immoral to serve two masters.
    Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other,
    or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."
c) If you are neutral you'll be robbed of the ability to gain knowledge.
    Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Colossians 2

[3] Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
[8] See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

2 different philosophical approaches that are constantly opposed: man v. God
1 Corinthians 1:22

For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Therefore...

1 Timothy 6:20
Guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"