The Institutes Book 1, Chapter 8

The Institutes of the Christian Religion ^ | 1500's | John Calvin

[CCWoody]

Is the Gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus preached to the lost sheep of the house of Israel the same Gospel that we preach to the world today? ~ ksen

Sadly, no! The church today gropes afar off for that which is at hand. For the most part, she preaches something less, something different, sometimes something bastardized and has become impotent.

That which thundered through the earth 2000 years ago, that gospel which was spread for 300 years upon the ground made wet with the blood of the saints is unknown to most.

Woody.

"Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!" And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

[ksen]

Be always ready to give a defense to everyone....

That doesn't have to do with general Apologetics. It has to do with being ready to present the Gospel.

[CCWoody]

That doesn't have to do with general Apologetics. It has to do with being ready to present the Gospel. ~ ksen

If your apologetics does not have anywhere in it the thinks pertaining to the kingdom of God then you are wasting your time and puffing yourself up with your own vain words.

Woody.

Evangelism and Apologetics ~By Dr. Greg Bahnsen

The very reason why Christians are put in the position of giving a reasoned account of the hope that is in them (sounds like 1 Pe 3:15 to me) is that not all men have faith. Because there is a world to be evangelized (men who are unconverted), there is the need for the believer to defend his faith: Evangelism naturally brings one into apologetics. This indicates that apologetics is no mere matter of "intellectual jousting"; it is a serious matter of life and death - eternal life and death. The apologist who fails to take account of the evangelistic nature of his argumentation is both cruel and proud. Cruel because he overlooks the deepest need of his opponent and proud because he is more concerned to demonstrate that he is no academic fool that to show how all glory belongs to the gracious God of all truth.

[CCWoody]

"Beware lest any man rob you by means of philosophy and vain deceit." ~ Col 2:8

[RnMomof7]

Evangelism naturally brings one into apologetics. This indicates that apologetics is no mere matter of "intellectual jousting"; it is a serious matter of life and death - eternal life and death. The apologist who fails to take account of the evangelistic nature of his argumentation is both cruel and proud.

That ia a " can anyone give me an Amen" statement

[CCWoody]

Eventually, I'll get time to actually read this chapter of the Institutes.

Lets see, I have:
my normal Bible study twice daily....
Piper's "Future Grace" (page 80 something)....
a promised answer to SoothingDave and computerjunkie (I'm working on it, I swear)....
and a stack of papers my pastor mailed to me over the weekend as an exercise on the nature of the Atonement (as part of my new duties).

And that's just the reading portion. I have also traded books with one of my ushers and he wants to debate/discuss "The Bondage of the Will" (sure, let me finish this clone first and I'll be happy to accommodate).

But, first, there is dinner, Boy Scouts, and various misc stuff to do. Gosh, I hope the dog doesn't want a lot of attention tonight. hehehe!

[RnMomof7]

BTTT

[CCWoody]

Actually, in that list yesterday, Boy Scouts was canceled. But this was good as my daughter had an open house tour of her junior high that she want to attend next year. And the younger boy's room looked like it had been hit by evil little elves. So, that had to be fixed. On about 9:00, I finally sat down and decided that everything but, the evening study would have to wait.

Today, I'm running jobs so, I have some limited time to FReep while they are going....

[ksen]

Sheesh, I thought my plate was full. Just get to this one when you can. Don't worry it'll always be here, unless something disastrous happens in San Diego.

I look forward to your input on these things.

[ksen]

Ready for chapter 9?

[CCWoody]

Don't worry it'll always be here, unless something disastrous happens in San Diego. ~ ksen

I hope Jim has plenty of duct tape and plastic.

Woody.

[ksen]

Maybe we need another fund-raiser.

"The FRuct Tape & FRastic FReepathon!"

[Corin Stormhands]

But, first, there is dinner, Boy Scouts, and various misc stuff to do....

Just don't forget Friday is Valentines Day...

[CCWoody]

I have not forgot. 2 girls, 2 dates, 2 days....