What do you think?
Objections answered
Jesus promised that the world would be against us. Competing world religions, atheistic governments and academia, friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers oppose our message to some degree or another. But every so often, someone asks us to give a reason for the faith we posses. Are you prepared for such an occasion? Are you ready to explain and defend what you believe about God and matters of faith?
In this series, Dr. R.C. Sproul answers some of the most common objections to the Christian faith. With clarity and examples from everyday life, Dr. Sproul addresses faith, reason, those who have not heard the Gospel, the uniqueness of Christ, the existence of God, and the resurrection of Christ. Audio CD. Eight 23–minute messages.
In this series, Dr. R.C. Sproul answers some of the most common objections to the Christian faith. With clarity and examples from everyday life, Dr. Sproul addresses faith, reason, those who have not heard the Gospel, the uniqueness of Christ, the existence of God, and the resurrection of Christ. Audio CD. Eight 23–minute messages.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
About the author
R.C. Sproul
695 books2,090 followersDr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.
Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.
Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.
He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.
Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.
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September 4, 2024
THE FAMED THEOLOGIAN PROVIDES "LAYMAN'S" RESPONSES
Robert Charles Sproul, (born 1939) is an American Calvinist theologian, author, radio host, and founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries. He has written many books, such as 'If there is a God, why are there atheists?', 'Reason to Believe: A Response to Common Objections to Christianity,' 'Chosen by God,' 'The Invisible Hand,' etc.
He wrote in the Preface to this 1978 book, "The purpose of this book is not to provide a technical study in the science of apologetics, which science is designed to give a comprehensive defense of the intellectual credibility of Christianity. Rather this book is designed for laymen; to offer basic answers to the most common and frequent objections that are raised about Christianity. This book treats matters that range from such philosophical questions as the problem of evil to the very practical and personal frustrations that people encounter when confronted by hypocrisy." (Pg. 8-9)
He suggests, "If man has in fact committed cosmic treason against God, what reason could we possibly have that God should provide any way of redemption? In light of the universal rebellion against God, the issue is not why is there only one way, but why is there any way at all? I know of no way of answering that question." (Pg. 43)
He admits, "From a theoretical viewpoint the nihilist has a strong argument against anyone who rests his case for the existence of God on the grounds of human aspirations to significance. The nihilist must be answered by other arguments, such as those mentioned earlier. The value of the argument from meaning is its ability to expose the real issues and stakes of the God question." (Pg. 114)
He relates a conversation he had with a Christian Science devotee: "he contended that evil is just an illusion... I asked the man if he thought it was good that I was teaching people that evil was real. He said, 'No.' I asked him if it was evil that I was teaching falsehood about evil. He had no answer. If he objected to my assertion of the reality of evil, he had to affirm my thesis in order to deny it. His only recourse was to treat me as an illusion." (Pg. 121)
He points out, "sin entered the human experience by way of the fall of Adam and Eve. [The Bible] tells us that they were created good and then fell by choosing to sin. The question is, how could something created good choose something evil... If Adam had no inclination to sin or to good, how could he choose either one of them? Without desire or disposition, the will has no power to choose... the problem is a severe one and one for which I have no adequate solution.
"I do not know how evil could originate with a good God. I am baffled by it, and it remains a troublesome mystery to me. However, I am not prepared to jettison Christianity because of the mystery of evil... Though I cannot solve the dilemma of evil, I think it is still important to recognize other implications of the question that at least make the burden of the mystery a bit easier to bear." (Pg. 124-126)
Sproul's thoughtful, frank, and intelligent answers are very much worth reading, for anyone interested in apologetics (particularly from a Reformed/Calvinistic background).
Robert Charles Sproul, (born 1939) is an American Calvinist theologian, author, radio host, and founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries. He has written many books, such as 'If there is a God, why are there atheists?', 'Reason to Believe: A Response to Common Objections to Christianity,' 'Chosen by God,' 'The Invisible Hand,' etc.
He wrote in the Preface to this 1978 book, "The purpose of this book is not to provide a technical study in the science of apologetics, which science is designed to give a comprehensive defense of the intellectual credibility of Christianity. Rather this book is designed for laymen; to offer basic answers to the most common and frequent objections that are raised about Christianity. This book treats matters that range from such philosophical questions as the problem of evil to the very practical and personal frustrations that people encounter when confronted by hypocrisy." (Pg. 8-9)
He suggests, "If man has in fact committed cosmic treason against God, what reason could we possibly have that God should provide any way of redemption? In light of the universal rebellion against God, the issue is not why is there only one way, but why is there any way at all? I know of no way of answering that question." (Pg. 43)
He admits, "From a theoretical viewpoint the nihilist has a strong argument against anyone who rests his case for the existence of God on the grounds of human aspirations to significance. The nihilist must be answered by other arguments, such as those mentioned earlier. The value of the argument from meaning is its ability to expose the real issues and stakes of the God question." (Pg. 114)
He relates a conversation he had with a Christian Science devotee: "he contended that evil is just an illusion... I asked the man if he thought it was good that I was teaching people that evil was real. He said, 'No.' I asked him if it was evil that I was teaching falsehood about evil. He had no answer. If he objected to my assertion of the reality of evil, he had to affirm my thesis in order to deny it. His only recourse was to treat me as an illusion." (Pg. 121)
He points out, "sin entered the human experience by way of the fall of Adam and Eve. [The Bible] tells us that they were created good and then fell by choosing to sin. The question is, how could something created good choose something evil... If Adam had no inclination to sin or to good, how could he choose either one of them? Without desire or disposition, the will has no power to choose... the problem is a severe one and one for which I have no adequate solution.
"I do not know how evil could originate with a good God. I am baffled by it, and it remains a troublesome mystery to me. However, I am not prepared to jettison Christianity because of the mystery of evil... Though I cannot solve the dilemma of evil, I think it is still important to recognize other implications of the question that at least make the burden of the mystery a bit easier to bear." (Pg. 124-126)
Sproul's thoughtful, frank, and intelligent answers are very much worth reading, for anyone interested in apologetics (particularly from a Reformed/Calvinistic background).
September 7, 2020
Sproul gives intellectual yet easy-to-follow answers to 8 common objections to Christianity. Based on the title, I expected more than 8 objections to be covered. I never tire of Sproul's teaching, even after listening to him for years. This isn't a traditional audiobook (narration of a book); it's a series of recorded lectures. I think I’ve heard the content on the Renewing Your Mind podcast.
Notes
Is there evidence for God outside the Bible?
Cosmological Argument for God, simplified: Something exists now. Therefore, something has always existed, necessarily. That thing has the power of being residing in itself. Otherwise, there would be a time when there was nothing, and that nothing made something.
That which exists now must be 1) self-creating, 2) self-existent and eternal, or 3) created by something that is self-existent.
"Chance" refers to no thing, so to say chance created the universe is to argue for the universe's self-creation.
If you deny the existence of something that has the power of being in itself, you must accept self-creation, which is absurd.
Is there life after death?
If God doesn't exist, life isn't meaningful ethically; ethics don't make sense. If there's no God, anything is permissible, and ethics are simply preferences based on human sentiment. If you don't accept theism, you must accept nihilism.
Notes
Is there evidence for God outside the Bible?
Cosmological Argument for God, simplified: Something exists now. Therefore, something has always existed, necessarily. That thing has the power of being residing in itself. Otherwise, there would be a time when there was nothing, and that nothing made something.
That which exists now must be 1) self-creating, 2) self-existent and eternal, or 3) created by something that is self-existent.
"Chance" refers to no thing, so to say chance created the universe is to argue for the universe's self-creation.
If you deny the existence of something that has the power of being in itself, you must accept self-creation, which is absurd.
Is there life after death?
If God doesn't exist, life isn't meaningful ethically; ethics don't make sense. If there's no God, anything is permissible, and ethics are simply preferences based on human sentiment. If you don't accept theism, you must accept nihilism.
July 4, 2022
Disclaimer: I only listened to this one on Hoopla.
This work is an apologetics series of lectures by RC Sproul. While the lectures have been placed in book form, the audio with RC Sproul’s grunts, scoffs, and theatrics make the audio the more choice media format.
In the lectures, RC discusses a basic intro into apologetics, sinful and idolatrous state of all of humanity, exclusivity of salvation in Christ, invisible nature of God, proof of a Creator from creation, eternality of God, necessity of salvation, and the resurrection of Christ. RC’s enthusiasm and knowledge shine through as he provides this brief apologetics excursus.
This work is an apologetics series of lectures by RC Sproul. While the lectures have been placed in book form, the audio with RC Sproul’s grunts, scoffs, and theatrics make the audio the more choice media format.
In the lectures, RC discusses a basic intro into apologetics, sinful and idolatrous state of all of humanity, exclusivity of salvation in Christ, invisible nature of God, proof of a Creator from creation, eternality of God, necessity of salvation, and the resurrection of Christ. RC’s enthusiasm and knowledge shine through as he provides this brief apologetics excursus.
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