Apologetic Journey Pt. I: An Introduction

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Desdichado

Senior Member
Feb 9, 2014
8,768
837
113
#1
Some weeks ago, a person very dear to me took the leap from Christianity to Atheism. Suffice to say, I love them, they're smart, and the issues and questions they've brought forth have triggered a minor existential crisis on my part.

When I was a kid, I was very much into apologetics. Having at least some reason to believe was important to me. But when I grew older, I chose a profession which requires a lot of continuing education. I stagnated in a state of unquestioning acceptance of mmmany Christian axioms while reading about other things.

Now I feel as though I've been violently awakened. Like somebody walked into my camp, kicked me in the solar plexus, and shook me by the lapels. The things I didn't think necessary to confront have confronted me on a personal level.

I've been reading widely and deeply in response. The best atheist and agnostic arguments against the best Christian ones. I'm going to keep reading. Here, I'll record my notes toward a better understanding of all sorts of concepts. They'll take the form of brief historical sketches, book reviews, poems, questions, etc.

In the first few posts, I'll try and summarize the aforementioned person's questions, my questions, and notes toward what I've discovered so far. After that, I'll write with the purpose of unifying and collating all I've read and deriving certain conclusions worth falling back on.

I encourage participation! If you read me and have something- a book, article, or even kind word which would bolster my faith, let me know!

In the end, I hope my writing will help others in similar circumstances and enable them to assert the truth on a cosmic scale.
 

mcubed

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2013
1,449
218
63
#2
1 Corinthians 15:14 New International Version (NIV)

14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.






If it is true your friends are to be most pitied.
 

Desdichado

Senior Member
Feb 9, 2014
8,768
837
113
#3
They actually cite that verse and say we are to be pitied for our wasted lives. That rationale can swing both ways.
 
J

Jennie-Mae

Guest
#4
I’m not sure whether this is of any help or not, but a lot of people are making the faith a question of intellectualism.

Personally, I don’t spend time on the details in the Holy Bible, or on people screaming “Jesus Jesus” outside the malls, or on atheists that are insisting on logical fallacies in the faith, but I have faith in the good Lord and some might call me lukewarm, but I don’t care.

I will I’ll be praying for you.
 

Desdichado

Senior Member
Feb 9, 2014
8,768
837
113
#5
I appreciate any and all prayer a great deal.

I also urge anybody praying for me to also pray for my loved one. They are in a sorrier state than I am.

But I hear you. I think folks will call me lukewarm in this process because I do see great arguments on the other side.
 
T

Tinuviel

Guest
#6
Several years ago I remember liking Who Moved the Stone? by Frank Morison. A Lee Strobel situation of a guy who set out to prove the resurrection didn't happen. I've never read The Case for Christ, the books might repeat a lot of stuff.

I'll keep ya'all in my prayers.
 

Deror

Senior Member
Mar 30, 2018
303
147
43
#7
I believe you'll grow through this season. That's what impressed upon me after reading your post. Also, studying both sides may be ordaining you to become an apologist in the future.

Sometimes when it seems the demolition man has come in, God might be breaking down some walls that need breaking down, or a bit of restructuring here and there..

When i I went through a kind of shakening (sorry if that's not a word!) I wrote things down, and now it's such a blessing, a foundational for so many pillars.
i also learned that God Most High has great depth.. So I truly believe God will understand where you're at right now, and won't mind you exploring. Maybe keep open to Him, and don't shut Him out as you study all cases and arguments.

It'd be an honour to pray for you, and your loved one. We're under Grace until the time, so your loved one may return to Faith. We can't say until the final day.

Its great you're documenting your journey. Good idea!! Again, I truly believe this will turn out to be a huge blessing. Take good care. All the best to you and your loved one.
 

mcubed

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2013
1,449
218
63
#8
Desdichado;bt24203 said:
They actually cite that verse and say we are to be pitied for our wasted lives. That rationale can swing both ways.

No. What you do not understand is G-d defends His Word.... It is alive and sharper than a two-edge sward. I do not defend His Word. It cuts threw the bone and marrow...
 

mcubed

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2013
1,449
218
63
#9
Listen we have the Word and our testimony.... If you do not have that for yourself are you saved? You said you waver... Are you saved?
 

mcubed

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2013
1,449
218
63
#10
Listen we have the Word and our testimony.... If you do not have that for yourself are you saved? You said you waver... Are you saved? Maybe not at all if you waver about G-d!?!
 

Desdichado

Senior Member
Feb 9, 2014
8,768
837
113
#11
Thank you, Tinuviel. This means a great deal.

I'm reading through The Case for Christ as we speak and find it to be a very decent book with good information. It just has two major shortcomings. I'll identify them in my forthcoming review in this blog series.

I'll add Morison's book to the list, too! If it's like TCFC but without the two BIG shortcomings, I suspect I'll find it immensely helpful.

Tinuviel;bt24208 said:
Several years ago I remember liking Who Moved the Stone? by Frank Morison. A Lee Strobel situation of a guy who set out to prove the resurrection didn't happen. I've never read The Case for Christ, the books might repeat a lot of stuff.

I'll keep ya'all in my prayers.
 

Desdichado

Senior Member
Feb 9, 2014
8,768
837
113
#12
This post means so much. I hope and, indeed, pray it turns out exactly as you say.

Thank you, sister. Thank you.

Deror;bt24209 said:
I believe you'll grow through this season. That's what impressed upon me after reading your post. Also, studying both sides may be ordaining you to become an apologist in the future.

Sometimes when it seems the demolition man has come in, God might be breaking down some walls that need breaking down, or a bit of restructuring here and there..

When i I went through a kind of shakening (sorry if that's not a word!) I wrote things down, and now it's such a blessing, a foundational for so many pillars.
i also learned that God Most High has great depth.. So I truly believe God will understand where you're at right now, and won't mind you exploring. Maybe keep open to Him, and don't shut Him out as you study all cases and arguments.

It'd be an honour to pray for you, and your loved one. We're under Grace until the time, so your loved one may return to Faith. We can't say until the final day.

Its great you're documenting your journey. Good idea!! Again, I truly believe this will turn out to be a huge blessing. Take good care. All the best to you and your loved one.
 
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Desdichado

Senior Member
Feb 9, 2014
8,768
837
113
#13
I find myself being shoved into a furnace of doubt but perhaps still touched by the Son of Man.

What's your theological background? If I may be so bold.

mcubed;bt24215 said:
Listen we have the Word and our testimony.... If you do not have that for yourself are you saved? You said you waver... Are you saved?
 

Deror

Senior Member
Mar 30, 2018
303
147
43
#14
Desdichado;bt24229 said:
This post means so much. I hope and, indeed, pray it turns out exactly as you say.

Thank you, sister. Thank you.
Your so welcome bro!

My thoughts are with you and your loved one.
Hang in there, maybe avoiding rushing into decisions either way might help. Keeping an open mind and heart.

In the meantime: I'll try to stay up to date with your blogs, got a lot going on personally, however, I can relate to the points raised in section 1 of blog 2 (been reading offline)
I've personally been wondering about Christianity and am at a bit of a loss about a lot of points raised in section 1.
I may have something to share that I hope will help. I'll try to check through my own resources to see if anything I can find might help in all areas raised as I've been on a bit of a Creation journey too in the last few years.

Sorry if I sound a bit waffly, a bit tired tonight,
Take good care bro