How to Defend a Worldview of Christianity
In an article in "The Apologetics Study Bible," Ronald Nash states that a worldview consists of the answers people give to the most important questions in life, such as God, reality, knowledge, ethics and human nature. All people have a worldview, though they may not be aware that they do. Those who oppose Christianity do so because they hold a different worldview. It is the Christian's responsibility to defend the Christian worldview by demonstrating its coherence.
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Instructions
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Research the way other worldviews differ from Christianity. Study popular religions that contradict Christianity. Read books on Christian apologetics. In court, a good defense begins with understanding the prosecutor's case. In the same way, you can't defend the Christian worldview if you don't understand the arguments of those who hold opposing worldviews.
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Focus not on proving other worldviews false, but instead on proving the Christian worldview true. Reveal the faults of another worldview only when it is necessary to do so. Any worldview stands or falls according to its own consistency, not on the faulty nature of other worldviews.
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Demonstrate that Christianity is consistent with reality and truth. Discuss topics such as the existence of God, the authority and reliability of scripture and Christianity's depiction of human nature. In "Christianity on the Offense," Dan Story makes the point that Christianity offers rational explanations to life's crucial questions. While Christianity is largely a matter of faith, it can stand up to scrutiny because it is built on a foundation of facts that can be tested and verified.
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Encourage others to read the Bible and to investigate the claims of Christianity. According to Dan Story, most arguments against Christianity are based on faulty assumptions, which are obstacles to placing faith in Jesus Christ. The goal of encouraging the investigation of Christianity is that these obstacles will be removed. The best way to expose what is false is to help people encounter what is true.
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Make love the priority. Christianity is based on God's love for us and on Christians' love for others. Don't engage in shouting matches or hurtful arguments to prove you are right. Don't hold a conversation at all that does not stem from love for the other person. Acting in an unchristian manner destroys your Christian witness, and turns off the very people you are trying to convince.
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References
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