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How To Defend Your Faith When Questioned

How To Defend Your Faith When Questioned

How would you advise someone who is a new convert, and is still learning Bible truth to have the confidence to defend their faith whenever another Christian come to them with false teachings?

How would you advise them to respond to the teachings they recognize are contrary to what they have learned about God, yet they don’t yet know how to recall Bible texts?


Thanks for such a great question. There are several lines of questions to ask to expose error and help discern the truth. And several anchors to hold onto when someone tries to confuse you.

Questions to ask include:

  • Those that explore the conclusion, outcome or meaning if the idea put forth were true. If that is true what would that say about God? What kind of God would God be if that idea, concept, doctrine were true? What would it mean if our loved ones are alive and watching us from heaven right now? Would a mother be happy in heaven if her child is being molested on earth?
  • Why? Why is it necessary? (i.e. why is it necessary for God to inflict torture on people? If God is love why would He do this? If God is love why does He need to be pled with by His Son to forgive? Etc.)
  • What evidence do you have for that?
  • What would Jesus do? Jesus is the exact representation of God – so always ask, what would Jesus do.
  • Ask, is the idea being quoted or claimed based on misunderstood symbolism? We are saved by the “blood of the Lamb.” We are obviously not saved by red corpuscles of an animal or of Jesus. The “blood of the Lamb” is symbolic. Jesus said in John 6 we must eat his flesh and drink his blood – ask, what does this mean? So if people put ideas forth heavy in symbolism, ask what do the symbols mean?
  • Ask, to whom was the text written, in what context, for what purpose? Not all Scripture applies to all people in all times. So ask, is this a local instruction for a particular people, in a particular place, for a particular purpose? Then ask, what was the underlying reason, or principle involved?
  • Don’t stop with “the Bible said” but ask “what does that mean?” and “how does that apply to my life?”
  • When someone quotes passages in which God is talking always ask, to whom was God talking, what was the situation, what was God trying to accomplish and then ALWAYS ask, what did God actually do? In OT scripture God frequently raised His voice and threatened unruly children, but what happened was God removed His hand of protection, at their insistent rebellion, and snakes/scorpions came in, the Assyrians and Babylonians came and destroyed, not God.
  • On the occasions when God did directly intervene – ask, “For what purpose?” Was it for the purpose the other person is suggesting? If so, why is He not doing it today? Is the situation so much better today?
  • Differentiate the proclamation statements from the historical facts of what transpired. Jesus’ life, lived out, is historical fact which enlightens and gives meaning to the text, “God is love.”

Anchors which hold us in safe paths:

  • Jesus is the lens through which we understand God
  • Jesus is the lens through which we understand Old Testament sanctuary symbolism. We don’t study the Old Testament symbols, create an elaborate scheme and then pigeonhole Jesus into our scheme, but understand the OT symbols through the life of Jesus!
  • God’s testable laws – the law of love, liberty, worship, health, nature. All God’s laws are testable and reproducible and evidence Him and His kingdom.
  • Require scripture and science to harmonize. Don’t study scripture without science nor science without scripture, doing so leads to error, humanism/evolutionism on one side, distorted theologies about God on the other side.

So, the bottom line is be a thinker, reason things out, ask questions, require sensible, and evidence based answers.

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Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA