[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" publish_date="" class="" id="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center" linear_angle="180" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" background_blend_mode="none" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" video_preview_image="" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" border_radius="" box_shadow="no" dimension_box_shadow="" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" box_shadow_color="" box_shadow_style="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" background_type="single" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center" linear_angle="180" background_color="" background_image="" background_image_id="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_blend_mode="none" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" filter_type="regular" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" last="no"][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""] Eschatology is the study of the end-times, with a special reference to the Christian study of the return of Christ. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" publish_date="" class="" id="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center" linear_angle="180" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" background_blend_mode="none" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" video_preview_image="" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" border_radius="" box_shadow="no" dimension_box_shadow="" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" box_shadow_color="" box_shadow_style="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" background_type="single" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center" linear_angle="180" background_color="" background_image="" background_image_id="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_blend_mode="none" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" filter_type="regular" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" last="no"][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""] Baptism, or water baptism, is a symbolic rite that symbolically ties the believer to Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism is a public expression of this symbolic tie. Baptism is typically done with water, though there are some disagreements between whether or not the believer should, or must be, submerged in water. Some denominations believe that baptism is required. Some believe that baptism is effective for applying grace to the believer. Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27, Colossians 2:12, Luke 3:3, Acts 2:38, [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" publish_date="" class="" id="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center" linear_angle="180" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" background_blend_mode="none" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" video_preview_image="" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" border_radius="" box_shadow="no" dimension_box_shadow="" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" box_shadow_color="" box_shadow_style="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" background_type="single" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center" linear_angle="180" background_color="" background_image="" background_image_id="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_blend_mode="none" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" filter_type="regular" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" last="no"][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""] Atonement extends forgiveness from God to the sinner. Under the Mosaic law, substitutionary atonement was the sacrifice made to pay for sin in the guilt offering and the sin offering. Under the new covenant, atonement refers to Jesus' sacrificial death on behalf of sinners. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Apologetics, from the Greek apologia (ἀπολογία - 1 Peter 3:15) is the reasoned defense of Christian theology. To apologize is not to admit fault or say that you are sorry. Apologetics presents arguments for an idea or worldview. It can be a formal debate, an argument, or a simple statement of reasons. While apologetics may involve argument, the goal should not be to defeat your opponent. The goal of apologetics is to give sound reasons for the God of the Christian Bible. It can involve arguments from history, philosophy, math, as well as natural and other scientific fields. What are apologetics?

The Christian doctrine of the Trinity states that God is three distinct persons (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) but is one in essence. References: God is one Galatians 3:20 James 2:19 Son is unique John 1:1 John 14:9 Colossians 2:9 Spirit is unique Acts 5:3-4 1 Corinthians 3:16

FAQs Archive - Ratio Christi

Q: Those Christians are just hypocrites.

How to respond: Start by admitting that you mess up. You sin and don't get it right all the time. Every Christian sometimes fail to live up to the standard Jesus set. Then explain that being a Christian doesn't mean that you are perfect - or better - than any other person. Being a Christian means that you trust that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Being a Christian means relying on the Holy Spirit to begin making you a person that lives up to Jesus' standard.

Q: I am generally a good person. I don't need Jesus.

How to Respond Start by explaining that the Bible makes it clear that no one can earn a way into heaven. Each person, if left to his or her own devices, is infinitely separated from God. No amount of good work can close that gap let alone close it enough to earn heaven. Only the infinitely valuable death and resurrection of God Himself was able to bring us closer.

Q: A loving God wouldn't send people to hell.

How to Respond Start by explaining that the concept of free will in Christianity means that people will make the choice on whether or not they will go to hell. All deserve hell, but through Christ's redemptive work, He has made a way for us to be with Him in heaven. Only by failing to accept this offer of salvation are people sent to hell.

Q: Christians should just coexist with other religions.

How to Respond It is not logical to ask religions to coexist or tolerate one another. Virtually all religions disagree on significant aspects of their world views. It is relatively simple to show that religions contradict one another and cannot both be true. Muslims say there is only one deity and that Jesus was just a prophet. It also claims that other religions are incorrect corruptions of the one true way. Christians say that God is triune and that Jesus was God. Jesus Himself claimed exclusivity (John 14:6). If it can be proven that even two religions cannot coexist, then the entire coexistence argument begins to crumble. If the argument is made that the religious adherents should coexist by tolerating one another. Again, one must simply look to Islam and Christianity, both of which command the believer to make converts. Many people who make this statement don't really care that all religions contradict, however. They would simply ask you to drop the aspects of your religion that contradict. They often see these exclusive elements as offensive.

Q: The Bible is full of errors and contradictions.

How to Respond This is a difficult objection to resolve through a simple answer. Many people have specific objections that they have picked up through an article on the internet or from a book. It may help to ask the person to name one of the contradictions and answer that one specifically. If you don't know the answer to the objection, be honest but be confident. No supposed contradiction has stood the test of time. Explain that the Bible comes from writers in many different cultures writing with different languages and genres. Many of the supposed contradictions come from different ways of reckoning time, discussing regal succession, and other culturally defined subjects. Even in historical accounts the writers were documenting the history of how God has interacted with His people, not the day-to-day history of the Jewish kingdom. Details may sometimes be left out, but this does not mean that the account was false.

Q: We can't trust the Bible, and therefore cannot trust Christianity.

This argument comes in many shapes and sizes: The Bible is just a collection of stories. The Bible is man made. The Bible is good literature, but isn't true. The Bible has too many problems to be taken literally. We don't have the original Bible, so we can't trust it. How to Respond The Bible is the most reliable document that has ever been written. The historical record of the Bible far outstrips any other ancient manuscript and puts other religious documents to shame. The earliest surviving copies of the Bible are from just a few dozen years after Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection. These manuscripts come from all over the region, showing that the original documents were carefully copied and distributed throughout the known world. No historian or anthropologist doubts the authenticity of these ancient manuscripts. The thousands of surviving manuscripts show the careful work that was done to consistently reproduce the original versions. If you look outside the Bible and its manuscripts, historical and archaeological evidence has verified many important and obscure aspects of the Bible.

Q: Evolution proves that the Bible is false.

Start by pointing out that the mechanics of creation are not the point of the Bible. We can disagree on aspects of creation and still be Christians. That being said, the Bible is clear on some aspects and the theory of evolution greatly over reaches. Follow this response when arguing for God when talking to an evolutionist. How to Respond Point out that our understanding of amino acids and enzymes have advanced far beyond what Darwin ever understood. Species and animals do change over time, but this does not create a new species as evolution suggests. It is also statistically impossible for life to evolve from random molecules. Neither of these processes have ever been observed by scientists either in real-time experiments or in historical evidence.

Q: We can prove that God doesn't exist.

The first step in a discussion about God is to get an atheist to acknowledge the possibility of any deity existing. How to Respond Start by laying out one of the arguments for God's existence. Show them that it is harder to prove that God doesn't exist than that He does exist. Show that the theistic worldview requires less faith than atheism or agnosticism. Atheists must know everything about everything in order to prove that God does not exist. Science, as a tool to measure repeatable, natural phenomenon, cannot measure something that is supernatural. Since God is supernatural, absence of scientific evidence cannot be used as evidence of absence of God. Agnostics claim that they know for sure that one cannot know anything about God. This is, in it of itself, a logical inconsistency. Once you have shown that a god could exist, you can then move on to arguing for the Christian worldview and the existence of God.

What is progressive dispensationalism?

Progressive dispensationalism differs from standard dispensationalism. It covers a [...]

Content2020-01-24T15:46:09-05:00January 24th, 2020|Theology|0 Comments