An example of excellent Christian Apologetics?

2PhiloVoid · Jun 24, 2019

Well, in the following video, is it? Whether you're Skeptic or Christian, how're you going to know?
... is the Bible enough to "tell you so"? :eheh:

RaymondG · Jun 24, 2019

I thought the preacher handled himself pretty well. Most people would have lost it after finding their livelihood attacked.

Those filled with the spirit of God would never look at another on earth and say "They have more than I"

2PhiloVoid · Jun 24, 2019

RaymondG said:
I thought the preacher handled himself pretty well. Most people would have lost it after finding their livelihood attacked.

Those filled with the spirit of God would never look at another on earth and say "They have more than I"

I admit, he kept his composure mostly intact. But, is good composure enough for us to say that all of what flowed from his lips qualifies as excellent Christian Apologetics?

RaymondG · Jun 24, 2019

2PhiloVoid said:
I admit, he kept his composed mostly intact. But, is good composure enough for us to say that all of what flowed from his lips qualifies as excellent Christian Apologetics?

I would find it difficult to have a conversation concerning God and gospel that is focused around money and wealth. Yet the reporter wanted to talk about nothing else but money and wealth and planes......no salvation or being saved or heaven........but money and wealth. how much her family had and how much the preacher has.

Im not sure that anyone could exhibit excellent Apologetic in this situation.

2PhiloVoid · Jun 24, 2019

RaymondG said:
I would find it difficult to have a conversation concerning God and gospel that is focused around money and wealth. Yet the reporter wanted to talk about nothing else but money and wealth and planes......no salvation or being saved or heaven........but money and wealth. how much her family had and how much the preacher has.

Im not sure that anyone could exhibit excellent Apologetic in this situation.

Didn't Peter say that we should be 'ready' to give an account no matter what the situation or slant? I mean, to some extent, that seems to be what this guy in the video is attempting to do: He's spontaneously addressing whatever the journalist is asking him about. But again, does his answer qualify as an example of excellent Christian Apologetics?

Ophiolite · Jun 24, 2019

2PhiloVoid said:
But again, does his answer qualify as an example of excellent Christian Apologetics?

What do you think?

2PhiloVoid · Jun 24, 2019

Ophiolite said:
What do you think?

I'll simply say "no," and instead of giving my reasons right at the start, I'll just invite people in for the discussion and ask them to offer up reasons to the rest of us as to why they think Copeland's attempt should be allowed to 'stand' as an example of excellent Christian Apologetics.

Ophiolite · Jun 24, 2019

2PhiloVoid said:
I'll simply say "no," and instead of giving my reasons right at the start, I'll just invite people in for the discussion and offer up reasons why they think it should be allowed to 'stand' as an example of excellent Christian Apologetics.

Thank you. Sorry if I sort of disrupted your hoped for flow in the thread.

2PhiloVoid · Jun 24, 2019

Ophiolite said:
Thank you. Sorry if I sort of disrupted your hoped for flow in the thread.

No problem! ...but since you're here, do you have any ideas about it yourself?

RaymondG · Jun 24, 2019

2PhiloVoid said:
Didn't Peter say that we should be 'ready' to give an account no matter what the situation or slant? I mean, to some extent, that seems to be what this guy in the video is attempting to do: He's spontaneously addressing whatever the journalist is asking him about

I believe the following verses apply here:
"22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes."

But of course refusing to answer would cause problems of its own......but probably less problems than answering causes....as this thread may show...

2PhiloVoid said:
But again, does his answer qualify as an example of excellent Christian Apologetics?

There are no apologetics for spiritual matters......as these are reveals to each as they are able to bear. I see little value is in arguing the many different doctrines that arises from analyzing the letters. So there is no excellent Christian Apologetics....this video is no exception.

Ophiolite · Jun 24, 2019

2PhiloVoid said:
No problem! ...but since you're here, do you have any ideas about it yourself?

I just remarked in another thread in the forum that I avoid making comments on matters in which I have insufficient knowledge, judging such actions as discourteous and foolish. However, if you would find an uninformed opinion from a devout agnostic of interest I'll give it some thought.

Nihilist Virus · Jun 24, 2019

2PhiloVoid said:
Well, in the following video, is it? Whether you're Skeptic or Christian, how're you going to know?
... is the Bible enough to "tell you so"?

Let's just go ahead and assume from the outset that Christianity is true. That would then mean that Judaism was the true religion prior to Christ's arrival.

But even with Judaism being the one true religion, how many of the religious Jewish leaders did Jesus approve of? Not many at all. I'm going to say 10%, max.

I do not believe human nature has fundamentally changed in the last 2000 years. I think Christians need to own the fact that many of their leaders are wolves in sheep's clothing. But virtually no Christians acknowledge this.

In my opinion, good atheists are the ones who own the atheist label. The guy in the video you posted is an example of an evil atheist.

Yttrium · Jun 24, 2019

Yeah, I'm not convinced. He's going with the idea that Jesus is fine with wealth as long as you have the right attitude about it. He seems to enjoy his wealth quite a lot, and justifies it with good deeds in "saving" people. I can understand needing some wealth to make an impact, but he seems to extend it quite thoroughly into his private life.

That camel is getting smashed pretty hard into that needle.

Kenny'sID · Jun 24, 2019

Didn't Abraham make his own money? While Copland used the money he, by twisting the word, psyched his congregation out into giving him tons of money?

They will always throw the classic excuses at things like the video brings to light, and just like phony theologies learn to defend themselves from their adversaries with canned responses, these people get their so-called defense from men into the same thing they are, not the bible. Poor Kenneth needs to buy the book and be better prepared for next time.

In truth they will always be caught "off guard" by those who can see through them. Their defense only works for those already taken in.

I've been watching him and people like him for 35/40yrs, and I need no convincing at all they are scammers out for themselves.

RaymondG said:
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes."

The twist there...there was nothing foolish at all about her questions, and just by his demeanor, Copland showed exactly what/who he was.

2PhiloVoid · Jun 25, 2019

Ophiolite said:
I just remarked in another thread in the forum that I avoid making comments on matters in which I have insufficient knowledge, judging such actions as discourteous and foolish. However, if you would find an uninformed opinion from a devout agnostic of interest I'll give it some thought.

There's always room for one more expressed perception ... I just want to know if you personally feel (or think) that what he says qualifies as the kind of thing you'd expect a solid, level-headed, spirit-filled, knowledgeable Christian to say if asked to 'defend' his own Christian faith or any aspect of it thereof.

But, if you wish to refrain, I'm alright with that too.

2PhiloVoid · Jun 25, 2019

Nihilist Virus said:
Let's just go ahead and assume from the outset that Christianity is true. That would then mean that Judaism was the true religion prior to Christ's arrival.

But even with Judaism being the one true religion, how many of the religious Jewish leaders did Jesus approve of? Not many at all. I'm going to say 10%, max.

I do not believe human nature has fundamentally changed in the last 2000 years. I think Christians need to own the fact that many of their leaders are wolves in sheep's clothing. But virtually no Christians acknowledge this.

In my opinion, good atheists are the ones who own the atheist label. The guy in the video you posted is an example of an evil atheist.

That's definitely an angle for us to think about, NV.

So, why do you think a large number of Christians in the U.S. may be persuaded that Copeland's speech in the OP video 'counts' as good Christian Apologetics? He is doing--according to form--what the Good Book says for Christians to do in 1 Peter 3:15, isn't he?

2PhiloVoid · Jun 25, 2019

Yttrium said:
Yeah, I'm not convinced. He's going with the idea that Jesus is fine with wealth as long as you have the right attitude about it. He seems to enjoy his wealth quite a lot, and justifies it with good deeds in "saving" people. I can understand needing some wealth to make an impact, but he seems to extend it quite thoroughly into his private life.

That camel is getting smashed pretty hard into that needle.

Ah, I suppose it could seem that way, but he did say that he has natural gas provisions on his property. Doesn't that explain the origin of the better part of his wealth so he can buy 54 million dollar jets in the service of the Christian Gospel?

2PhiloVoid · Jun 25, 2019

RaymondG said:
I believe the following verses apply here:
"22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes."

But of course refusing to answer would cause problems of its own......but probably less problems than answering causes....as this thread may show...

I could be wrong, but it almost sounds to me like you're trying to use 2 Timothy 2:22-23 to somehow cancel out what 1 Peter 3:15 says. Surely that's not what you're implying here, right? Moreover, I don't think it's been established that the reporters questions are "foolish and unlearned." I mean, too, there are claimed Christians who, as a part of their expressed faith, have purchased expensive jets and other paraphernalia, and since that is the case have to "give account" of why it should be a part of the expression of their faith.

There are no apologetics for spiritual matters......as these are reveals to each as they are able to bear. I see little value is in arguing the many different doctrines that arises from analyzing the letters. So there is no excellent Christian Apologetics....this video is no exception.

The essential question here is, since we can see that Copeland is 'giving an account of his faith' to the reporter, does what he present qualify as an example of excellent Christian Apologetics? And how do we know if it is or not?

RaymondG · Jun 25, 2019

Kenny'sID said:
The twist there...there was nothing foolish at all about her questions, and just by his demeanor, Copland showed exactly what/who he was.

There are things that we do and have that we feel justified in having.....Some even believe it is given to them by God. Some of us give to charity and dedicate lots of time doing so.....and feel that we have a lot to share concerning the Gospel.

If one was to come up to some of those and question the price of the expensive bible you decided to treat yourself to instead of talking about the charity you help or how to be saved....most of them would not take it as well as this preacher did. To them, questioning the cost of your bible when you have wisdom concerning external life.....might sound foolish......and may not be worth answering.....since the camera and mic means that the intent could be to catch you in a slip up for the world to see.

durangodawood · Jun 25, 2019

Yttrium said:
....That camel is getting smashed pretty hard into that needle.

That guy is camel broth.

An example of excellent Christian Apologetics?

Downhill Prevention!

Well-Known Member

Downhill Prevention!

Well-Known Member

Downhill Prevention!

Recalcitrant Procrastinating Ape

Downhill Prevention!

Recalcitrant Procrastinating Ape

Downhill Prevention!

Well-Known Member

Recalcitrant Procrastinating Ape

Infectious idea

Independent Centrist

Well-Known Member

Downhill Prevention!

Downhill Prevention!

Downhill Prevention!

Downhill Prevention!

Well-Known Member

Dis Member

Similar threads