http://www.puritanboard.com/ This forum is for those who desire to DEBATE and DISCUSS. All others please refrain from this Forum.]]> en Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:46:06 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.puritanboard.com/images/retro/misc/rss.jpg http://www.puritanboard.com/ http://www.puritanboard.com/f49/need-advice-55212/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:08:56 GMT At church services tonight I was in a conversation with a lady after service and we were talking about how God had helped us both quit smoking when we first were born again. She stated that God actually spoke to her in an audible voice to quit... At church services tonight I was in a conversation with a lady after service and we were talking about how God had helped us both quit smoking when we first were born again. She stated that God actually spoke to her in an audible voice to quit smoking. How would you all respond to a claim like that. Is this something I should acknowledge and let it go, or should I have confronted her if she had really heard the voice of God? Myself I don't believe God speaks audibly to men these days, if I'm wrong please show me. It always worries me when people claim they have audibly heard God speak. It carries the same concern as does the speaking in tongues issue for me. Any help here would be greatly appreciated. Should we confront people on this or just ignore their claims? Thanks and God bless. ]]> Apologetical Methods SolaSaint http://www.puritanboard.com/f49/need-advice-55212/ http://www.puritanboard.com/f49/media-reaction-collision-movie-54814/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:40:37 GMT The new Wilson/Hitchens documentary is out and it is getting a lot of press.

Here are some highlights;

CNN Joy Behar: “Good Without God?” w/ Christopher Hitchens & Pastor Douglas Wilson. |

Imus Christopher Hitchens & Pastor Douglas Wilson On Imus. - Right Mind

NPR A 'Collision' Of Beliefs: Atheist Vs. Theologian : NPR ]]> Apologetical Methods Kevin http://www.puritanboard.com/f49/media-reaction-collision-movie-54814/ http://www.puritanboard.com/f49/apologetics-evangelism-54789/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:36:15 GMT The other thread about apologetics and arguing people into the kingdom got me thinking about this.

I put this out here more as a question than a statement.

I'm thinking that perhaps too often we have made the mistake of equating apologetics with evangelism, or at least thinking that apologetics is a necessary part of evangelism. (Just to be clear, when I say "apologetics" I have in mind the idea of "defending.")

Assuming my take on the meaning of the word apologetics is correct, is it right to think of the proclamation of the gospel as including its defense as well? Unless I'm mistaken, when I see the concept of defending the faith spoken of in the NT, it seems that it is either commanded as an action against false teachers (Jude 3-4) or as a means of explaining the reason for one's hope to unbelievers when facing the prospect of persecution (1 Peter 3:13-17). Unless I've missed something, it never seems to be commanded as an evangelistic tool per se.

On the other hand, whenever the gospel is preached or its preaching described, it seems to be referred to more as a proclamation than a defense, i.e., a proclamation because its truths are assumed from the beginning to be true and in need of no defense. ]]> Apologetical Methods Der Pilger http://www.puritanboard.com/f49/apologetics-evangelism-54789/ http://www.puritanboard.com/f49/pre-evangelism-arminian-heart-54752/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:09:44 GMT As a creationist I occassionally ponder what it means. One of the things I have come across is the concept of pre-evangelism. You can read more at Creation Science Rebuttals, Creation Magazine (Ex Nihilo), Creation Science Methodology... As a creationist I occassionally ponder what it means. One of the things I have come across is the concept of pre-evangelism. You can read more at Creation Science Rebuttals, Creation Magazine (Ex Nihilo), Creation Science Methodology

Basically pre-evangelism gets people over the "problem" of evolution as a preparatory step to evangelism. :worms:

I can't help feeling this is arminian in outlook. Having just meditated on Romans 1 and 2 I can't help notice Paul uses the supression of the knowledge of divinity from general revelation to convict the Gentiles of sin. This is the pathology of the disease not by a surgeon about to operate but by a pathologist dissecting a dead corpse!

Pre-evangelism seems to stray into the area of the work of the Holy Spirit, taking credit for His work - no? :2cents: It makes me think of the Arminian doctrine that somehow we can make an autonomous decision. ]]> Apologetical Methods Eoghan http://www.puritanboard.com/f49/pre-evangelism-arminian-heart-54752/