Why Do We Believe What We Believe?
Why Christianity is a Perth-based apologetics not-for-profit ministry. Apologetics is giving a reason for why you believe what you believe.
Good, True and Beautiful
Curtin University Lecturer and Why Christianity? Director, David Graieg sat down with Doug during Table Talk to discuss the meaning of “Apologetics” and to talk about the mission of Why Christianity.
“Apologetics sounds like to apologise, but is from a Greek word: to give reasons, to give a defence, to give a case for.”
Why Christianity?
Why Christianity? was founded with the understanding that Christianity is good, beautiful and true. David explained, “You can point to the social good that Christianity’s brought and that sense of the beauty of it as well,” he continued, “And in terms of the goodness of his world, there’s transcendent good where God himself is the goodness, the most valuable thing.”
David received his PhD in Apologetics and has pursued his passion for it ever since. He looks to answer questions like, How do you make evolution fit with the Bible? David expanded on that by saying Apologetics is the area of reasons for understanding Christianity, “It became a chance for me to understand my faith, so that what I believed in my head matched my heart… it eventually became a way to reach out to others.”
He explained that this ministry was inspired by great Christian Apologetic ministries in the US. “It started as a dream of a forum where people could see the truth of Christianity, the goodness of it and the chance to dialogue.” In the same year, The Centre for Public Christianity in Sydney launched and has continued great work for the last 20 years.
Understanding in Faith
David emphasised the importance of Christians having good reasons for thinking about their faith, rather than going through it blindly, how asking the questions can build confidence, for when challenges and doubts come.
“It should bring happiness and cheer in your own life,” he continued, “If you’ve got good Apologetic reasons for understanding your faith, it just gives you confidence to share.”
Doug brought up an example of the resurrection of Christ as a ‘stumbling block’ many Christians grapple with. David replied with a reference to Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:14.
“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”
1 Corinthians 15:14
“Without Christ’s resurrection, it’s ultimately just empty,” said David.
“Even though it’s 2,000 years removed, we’re saying, these things were written down shortly after the event, so we can trust these witnesses of the time.”
Trust the Source
David elaborated on the doubts around credibility of the sources, citing questions such as, ‘Were they lying, or making it up? Was it a hallucination, or a dream?’
“Or did God in fact raise Jesus from the dead?” posed David, “And that’s the explanation that the first disciples gave, that God raised Jesus,” he resolved. “And I think if you look at it, you’d say there’s good reasons to affirm that’s what happened.”
Christian Apologetics look to answer questions such as: At what point does God consider human beings old enough to be judged or condemned? David responded by pointing out God’s goodness and fairness as a judge of people. “Be reassured that we’ve got a loving God who knows us and will take care of all people.”
Awareness and Truth
There are difficult questions that Christians tend to face, surrounding science, gender, and sexuality. David outlined that the purpose of Christianity is to point to human flourishing, to bring hope, life and truth without being harsh to the individual.
“We can’t just say, ‘I have the Christian worldview’, said David. “We want to have awareness and to humbly and respectfully point to Christianity as that true way without wanting to be harsh to others.
The Shift of Sabbath
David was also able to discuss Sabbath for Christians, with respect to the Roman Catholic Church changing it from Saturday to Sunday.
“Previously the Jews would hold the Sabbath on a Saturday, and my understanding is that when the Roman Empire became Christian, both to honour Jews and then newfound Christian faith, they took the weekend and gave both Saturday and Sunday.” David explained that honouring the Sabbath was one of the 10 Commandments and the Christian church shifted it to also celebrating Christ’s resurrection.
Confidence in Christ
David’s new role as lead for the Historical Jesus Research Group is part of the Institute for Biblical Research, founded in the United States. It consists of thousands of academics who meet annually to discuss new research ideas. He concluded by saying that, although he doesn’t have all the answers, Apologetics have helped build him up in his faith, encouraging us all that further research can do the same for our faith and confidence in Christ.
Listen back to David’s full chat with Doug below.
Why Christianity? Good, True, and Beautiful – Why Christianity