Well, I'm going to say it...you know the "A" word...APOLOGETICS! The class led by Sarah Boltinghouse started today. I think all us ladies were a bit leery...but I think we're all on board and ready to dig in and learn how to reasonably defend our faith. If you're interested in joining us, there are more books and plenty of space in the room. Stop by the church office and grab your book or just show up next Sunday.
The Wed. morning Beth Moore study, Jesus the One and Only, begins this Wed. Grab a friend and come join the group. We will make our way through the book of Luke. Two class options 9-11AM & 6:30PM.
Let's get into the Word of God!
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I just learned that I can search for apologetics on Direct TV and watch YouTube videos on our nice big TV! Give it a try!
To My Feminine Apologist Friends!
How'd you like that? You are taking steps that live up to your new title. Praise God! You are growing mighty in God and in confidence to share "the reason for the hope that you have."
How's the writing and reading going? You're not gonna come to class with bald spots, are you? Nah! I'm sure not. I'm praying for you and so is Dr. Todd Daly. He sent me an email just yesterday saying he's praying for us. Very cool!
I'm putting together the class lesson as we speak. We'll be doing a little review of important stuff from last week, sharing our responses to the statements sheet and then diving into Chapter 2 - What Difference Does It Make If God Exists? and into Dr. Craig's "reductio ad absurdum"/ "proof by the opposite". Okay, it's Professor Andrei Grib's baby, but Dr. Craig uses it so well, don't you think?
Questions to ponder after you read Chapter 2:
- What signs of cultural deterioration do you see as a result of denial of God's existence?
-What are the benefits of knowing that your life has meaning? How does it affect your attitude toward other people?
-If atheists, such as Sartre and Russell, believe that moral values and duties aren't real, then how do they arrive at the values that they want to pretend are real?
-Imagine a world where everyone believed that moral values and duties aren't real, but are just subjective illusions. How would it affect: 1. Our legal and judicial system? 2. Countries involved in warfare? 3. Our social relationships? 4. World business and commerce?
Big Issue, huh? I'm so glad we have a big God who loves us and has our eternity in His hand.
See you Sunday!
Love,
Sarah
I posted this on facebook yesterday but I wanted to share it here, because I thought of our 1/29 morning discussion when I heard it. Aaron Shust, regarding the recent birth of his son with DS and a heart defect, says "If I had no Hope. If we had no trust in a Perfectly Loving God's Perfectly Loving Plan...I wonder how nuts I'd be right now. Our very lives rest in the palm of His hand. There is no need to fear."
You know, a strange thing is happening...I'm feeling empowered! or at least ready to be empowered! to defend my faith. Even though I'm comprehending less than 50% of the concepts, I desperately want to! and I am getting a glimpse of what I can and want to learn. Thanks Sarah!
Hey Apologist Girlfriends!
I'm so proud of you! You beautifully worked out the objections and answers in Leibnitz' Contingency Argument today. I know we're not getting everything, but we're definitely getting some things and that's exciting. God is blessing and will continue to bless our efforts. What a great start.
For this week's reading, remember that the infinite regress of events makes it impossible for the universe to have eternally existed.
Also, don't try to make Hilbert's Hotel work out. It's meant to be absurd, irrational - that's the point. It's an example of what happens when we try to make what is abstract fit into the real world.
Hold on, Girls! Next Sunday and the 19th will be head scratchers, but THEN, we'll get back on solid ground with a second pass at the moral argument, the argument of suffering and then we come to the feet of Jesus! Ahhh! The best place to be, huh?????
I love you.
I'm praying for you,
Steady on,
Sarah
Here's a website I just subscribed to because of more email discussion with family on the origins of the universe. Check it out:
http://www.icr.org/home/resources/resources_tracts_scientificcaseagainstevolution/
This should make you laugh. Last night Randy told me he was talking to one of the elders at church and said, "I never win an argument with Sarah since she started studying apologetics."
If ever there was a reason to study anything, it would be to win arguments with your husband!
No, No, No, I'm just kidding. So was Randy too, but to learn to listen a little differently and be able to stand up for truth - Now, that's a marvelous reason to study apologetics.
"Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope..."
Hang in there and we'll see each other tomorrow!
I love you, Girls.
ok, going have one more cup of coffee and tackles this weeks 25 page reading...I think I can, I think I can! with God all things are possible!
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