r/ChristianApologetics

So I recently went into a bookstore thinking they might have Christian apologetic material, and it turned out to be a library and study hall for a denomination of Christianity called Christian Science. I’m curious if anyone knows much about this topic or denomination or has inside information about it. Something the owner (who proclaimed to be within this religion) said made me question if it could be considered Christian (it’s not a direct quote but in gonna try to paraphrase): “Our belief and proof is in the healing, when we’re healed that’s our proof. If you don’t get healed then you are either ignorant and don’t truly understand God or you’re sinning and can’t get healed because of that.” And I asked about the disciple that wasn’t healed and asked Jesus about it (looking back I see I took that from The Chosen actually and that’s not really Biblical!) and he explained it was because his faith was weak and he probably got healed later on. He also said that something about our physical world being an illusion and that our bodies are “bad” was the vibe I was getting. I’d love to know what exactly they believe and if it’s biblical.

Edit: this is the Christian Science founded by Mary Baker Eddy

Jude quotes two apocalyptic books Enoch and the assumption of Moses exactly why did he reference these two books?

Academics generally say that the 5 books of moses contains such a lack of material on the afterlife that the early Israelites likely did not believe in an afterlife. Instead they probably got it from the Zoroastrians (after their exile) where you begin to get such references. What is the answer for this?

So two things that popped into my mind and something I have been wondering about. I'm not knowledgeable on Buddhism, or things like it, but curious what you guys think.

1. What about Buddhism do you find undermines it in being true? From what I understand (which is small), there are like three schools of Buddhism that teach similar stuff, with some differences in nuance, right? I'm probably off, but yea.

Over 63,000 connections in the Bible were identified. What are your thoughts on this?

Not looking to push back but rather hear out everyone and especially would love to hear from those across different denominations

1. ⁠what are the biblical lines for what a man and woman can in terms of physical intimacy and getting to know each other prior to marriage.
2. ⁠What evidence do you have to support your stance ie Bible verse, scholarly paper, pastoral advice etc
3. ⁠What’s the current premarital culture at your church and is it in line with your answer for question 1
4. ⁠Do you believe those engaging in dating to be sinful?

Excited to read the responses!

I have seen/read a notion that the very fact that the world exists demonstrates a God. But how would or could this be translated into the form of an argument?

So I now out myself as not believing in penal substitution. It sounds good, but I believe it is not the Gospel.

What is penal substitution? It means a person must suffer the pains thought for another person, to have them released from it. Many believers in Christ, believe that Jesus himself suffered all the pains he'd later forgive on the cross already, leading to otherwise guilty persons now being free.

Why am I an opponent of this view? It is not mercy. It is what a mafia boss would demand from their victims for the personal satisfaction, but not what a righteous omnibenevolent God would do. It would claim God to be a murderer who would insist of avenging every guilt, but I am sure that he is not.

God is mercy instead! God desires not our suffering, but our mercy! So how does salvation work then?

I believe that God already saved us by his Word, Christ brought it and took the pain for 1 crucifixion to make it possible. We have to accept it, and then we can be saved...without Christ speaking it and committing miracles until he was executed by his enemies, this Word would not be known to us.

He just gives us the truth, and only 1 sacrifice was necessary, that of his Son Jesus Christ! To accept it, we need to accept his Gospel of loving the neighbor like ourselves, and to do unto them only as you would wish to receive on yourself. Because like you love and forgive your neighbor, this God will also love and forgive you, but only then he will be able to do it. He doesn't demand anyone to suffer for another one, but actually the opposite, that we help each other NOT to suffer.

Taking the suffering for another person in free will, still is a great merit however, and Jesus took this 1 crucifixion taking it to cause forgiveness for the whole world. Hence it was the greatest merit to cause! This great is the love and forgiveness of God, he doesn't desire sacrifice but mercy, learn what that means until you realize, that you've to forgive the debt of your debtors just like God will forgive you.

So this is a very simple yet hard truth. We cannot be simply saved by relaying our suffering to another person, it's a sin in itself to let another person suffer. Maybe it is okay, when that other person accepts the suffering on themselves, and bears it with patience and takes no harm in their life and works for it. But how rare would such a cause be, I mean, have you waited for Jesus to tell you that he accepted your pains and relieved you from it, from his own intention and purpose?

You say, hey wait. Then how are we supposed to achieve this salvation when we are too weak to save ourselves? This is the miracle, that Christ can be in anyone who accepts his Gospel from heart, and give you the strength and courage to live it. If you keep with it, he will stay in your like that until you're free. Remember he did not suffer extra for you personally, but once for all who accept him and the unique strength he embodied. Pray like a child or do the greatest works, whatever you want.

I know I did this, and prayed and was answered easily and given all ability and knowledge necessary for it. Within the limits, of the mercy I way able to give to others from myself. While NOT accepting the substitution, but only the mercy I'd have to accept to embody over others. I believe in it - believing in Christ and accepting his Word, he will see and know us and can be with us. And nobody had or has to suffer for it other than Christ in his 1 sacrifice which made it all possible. It makes possible that we can become righteous like him, and be forgiven our debt for it, just...we have to accept, and at least try. Even when we fail at times, it's us believing in the mercy in the end, which will save us. And not another poor man taking our beating, like for that evil mafia boss!

And for me - this mercy worked out and still works out. And even when I still suffer as life is suffering, I know this mercy cannot be taken from me any longer. The Word set and still sets me free in every way in every day, Amen! The suffering even will be forgiven in the end, and I know, that it is my test to endure which God will put upon my shoulders, and only as much as I'm able to carry.

So this is my view and rejection of penal substitution, and the source of my whole freedom in faith. I know we all can be worthy if we want, we must just want to try. And the God who made everything, wants that mercy and wants to forgive the suffering, instead of relaying it. The passages in the Bible concerning the substitution, I understand as parabolic and symbolic speech declaring Christ's sacrifice as noble enough to free us all from our sufferings. But we need to accept this mercy, and all the scripture is clear on this: we can't just be freed and be free from all punishment for our sins. We have to stop, even just want to stop, sinning at least, and that's the price WE have to pay for this sacrifice. Which was painful, but not in an unrighteous way.

I hope this all gives you the same confidence and ability to accept a Gospel, which I could not accept thinking my sufferings could hurt another one, even if it was the Son of God himself. I know him now, and that he only wants our faith and works of mercy to be able to forgive us. I believe he will also forgive those who believe in substitution, if their faith is righteous, just like Abraham thought the crime of killing his own son would be righteous. But it's not good, the Angel prevented it rightfully and caused mercy.

So this is the mercy which God desires over any sacrifice, and it's what makes us Holy in the end. So may we all, whatever we believe in, be Holy Holy Holy in the end and worthy of the respect of each others' dignity, which God requires for us to be able to live with and for Christ for all eternity - in freedom, because we know the sins were forgiven for the mercy, and not for another one taking their toll. Only this way, sins will be take away completely, only this way the effect of the forgiveness would be fully pure and righteous to demand. May we all take the courage, to accept and do this mercy, so we all can receive it in the end, Amen!

Are there any Christians here who believe that the world is only around 6000 years old? I would love to debate them and prove that radiometric dating proves beyond any doubt that their view point is wrong!

Hi to everyone.

Apologetics has been for a long time, my passion, watching countless videos on YouTube, and trying to understand my faith in a deeper way.

One of the things I wanted to improve on first is how can I trust the Bible's reliability?

I'm currently planning to watch Inspiring Philosophy's videos on that topic, but I wanted your suggestion on books or people on the topic on both sides as well.

Thank you. Have a nice day.

So, I never heard that the aforementioned Codex was a forgery, but apparently, I ran into someone who thinks so, saying the physical, chemical and historical evidence is “overwhelming.” First time hearing this tbh. Is this true?

Hi there, I once saw a comment saying that apparently, Christian academics at universities and organizations have to sign some sort of faith statement/document before joining. If this is the case, should there be concern for the scholarly work they do on the NT and OT? This person, who made this comment, made it seem as though these scholars' research and study should be questioned, called out, or something like that.

I had no idea about this, and this is the first time I'm hearing about this, so please do clear the air up.

Hi there. To the point, I have a couple of questions that I hope to get some help from, just to be prepared in the case that I get into a convo with someone where these points might come up.

1. I often here the argument against our faith, that, "Well, there are tens of thousands of gods, what makes you think yours is ther right one?" What reasons would you give against this?

2. I heard from an agnostic friend, when we were talking, that he doesn't "believe that doing good things for people should be motivated by metaphysical rewards; people should just treat each other with kindness by default until they do something that violates that kindness." What am I missing, and what should I have said in response? I'm not much a debater, in fact, I'm not probably built for one. With that said, I think giving something in return is something I can do.

I once heard an agnostic friend of mine say, "We [mankind] made God in our image, not the other way around." (or something like that). If I remember this correctly, I think it was based on God's wrath and judgement on the nations throughout the OT. I think this also relates into the whole idea of, "How can a Loving God do such atrocities! He is committing genocide! How could He do something like that!?!?" Something like that. I'm sure you guys have seen this sentiment, especially with more detail and such, that these parties say in opposition to our God.

Idk if this would ever come up again in a conversation, but what should I say in response? Any hard hitters, per se? I'm not a good debater, but I'd like to be prepared at the very least.

I've come across many books on the resurrection but I'm not sure which one to pick up. I've only done a limited amount of research on the topic through videos so far. If you have any recommendations I'd love to hear them.

So my whole family is Christian but mostly don't do anything about it. And my sister is one of them. On December 22th I saw a dream where Jesus came back and I begged him to take my sister with him and to not leave her behind. Bevor that dream I have never thought of her not being saved. I tried talking to her. The first time I noticed that she got scared and I saw her praying but after that, she refuses to talk to be about it.

Yes I knoe that everyone has free will but I truly refuse to let that happend. I've prayed my socks off for so long and I don't see any change. Idk what to do.