Historically, there were three doctrines that served to define the Reformation in particular, and Protestantism in general: Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Fide (Faith alone), and Sola Gratia (Grace alone). The key word here is alone. Without the “alone” the reformers would not have distinguished themselves from the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic Church certainly accepted Scripture as authoritative. They also believed that man was justified by faith and saved by grace. What they didn’t agree with was the “alone” part.
So what are we actually talking about when we talk about sola scriptura?
The paradox of the stone is a paradox which deals with the coherency of omnipotence. Since theists usually claim that God is omnipotent (all-powerful), It is usually presented as a defeater to theism. This paradox is often used to "demonstrate" that such a Being cannot exist. It is usually presented in the following form:
"Can God create a rock so big that He can't lift it?"
Queens University is a new chapter this year and so far it is doing really well. Kaleb and Ben, the student leaders, have done a wonderful job of organizing the group. The first time that I attended we were in a room in the library. We quickly filled up that room and had to move to another room the next week. I have been very encouraged by the groups interest in apologetics and in their desire to grow both in their love and knowledge of God.
Last week we went through the kalam cosmological argument. That argument goes something like this:
Whatever begins to exist must have a cause of its existence.
The universe began to exist.
Therefore, the universe must have a cause of it's existence.
We are working with the student leaders to come up with a plan for the semenster. Please join us as we prayerfully formulate this exciting new group at Queens University!
by Glenn Smith, Chapter Director at Texas A&M University
Ratio Christi operates differently from how Christian apologetics have traditionally been done. In the past, apologists were alone, doing work that was breaking new ground. Therefore, the only avenue available to them was through teaching, writing books and articles, and debates. So, when Ratio Christi came along, many Christians and apologists simply did not understand how we went about our work. From the perspective campus directors, we are finding that the Christian community needs an explanation of what we are not . . . and what we are.
“We MUST double the number of students getting an M.A. in Apologetics”
Rick Schenker, President of Ratio Christi
Ratio Christi is deploying apologists to grassroots assignments all over the country. They are putting “boots on the ground” at universities throughout the nation. Their biggest need is more trained apologists. Prior to Ratio Christi’s emergence on the scene of the apologetics movement, there was a “white elephant” standing in the room of almost every Masters level apologetics class. No one wanted to mention it, but it was on everyone's mind. The white elephant was the question, “What am I going to do with all this training once I am finished?”
We are all called to carry out the great commission, but who really holds the office of an evangelist?
Many Christians would describe an evangelist as someone that travels from church to church to preach messages. Their messages inspire believers to give to ministries that focus on taking the gospel to the unreached. Perhaps they would mention someone that preaches a message to bring revival to the church and convince people we bring to their meetings to become a follower of Christ. The right answer, however, according to Ephesians chapter 4, is that the evangelist is a person who equips believers to “do the work of the ministry so that they may build up the church.” That means the person who gives us the intellectual ability to answer the questions and objections of family and friends is really acting in the office of the evangelist. By training believers to give a reasonable answer, these people are probably doing more to win people to Christ than many traveling preachers. Apologetics is the branch of Christian theology that seeks to address the intellectual obstacles that keep people from taking faith seriously, and therefore it is the apologist who is the true evangelist.
Welcome to Queens University of Charlotte Ratio Christi Chapter!
We are an up-and-coming Ratio Christi chapter located in Charlotte, North Carolina. We are committed to the rigerous pursuit of truth. Please join us as we discuss some of the most imporant things in life.
