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Talks

Apologetics Series

Getting started: What is apologetics and why is it necessary? 
What the Bible tells us about giving reasons why we believe, and the broader benefits of apologetics.

Standing for Truth: How do we declare the Gospel in todays world? 
What is the nature of truth and faith 
Knowing and showing the truth with grace
What makes for a good argument

Cosmic Evidence: For a Creator of the Universe 
Argument from sufficient reason
Argument from the beginning of the universe

Design Evidence: For a Fine-tuner of the Universe 
The argument for a cosmic designer
Intelligent Design 
What does it mean if evolution is true?

Moral Evidence: Does the universe need a Moral-lawgiver?
On the Moral Argument for God’s existence from objective moral values and duties 

Historical Evidence Part I: Who did Jesus believe he was?
Assessing the trilemma of Lunatic, Liar, Lord
Jesus’ radical self-conception in the Gospels

Historical Evidence Part II: Did Jesus rise from the dead?
Historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus 

Deliver us from Evil: Can God and evil coextis? 
Assessing the problem of evil
Providing an explanation for the suffering in world
Why does God seem to hide himself. 

The Scandal of Particularism: Is Jesus the Only Way?
Answering the problem posed by religious diversity and those who never hear the gospel.

By the Book: Is the Bible a reliable guide to knowing God? 
Is what we have today what was written back then? and the problem of textual variants
Is what was written back then what happened back then? and the solution of Christian evidences?

Other Talks in Apologetics

Introduction to Apologetics
The nature of apologetics is discussed as both a body of knowledge and a discipline of thinking Christianly in a world of contrary ideas. We look at the reasons why we should defend our faith, and respond to some common objections. Finally, we look at some of the broader tasks of apologetics in aiding believers, vindicating Christianity in the world, and providing a double-warrant for belief.

Is the Bible actually reliable?
Is the skepticism directed towards the gospels justified? Featuring a defence of miracles and a sketch of the evidence for the reliability of the New Testament text and the events of the Gospels. 

If God is Good, why is there suffering?
Progress made for the Problem of evil

Jesus, who do you think you are? 
On the divine self-consciousness of Jesus of Nazareth
Christians often take for granted that Jesus is God. But is it sensible to believe this first-century carpenter thought he was the incarnate God of Israel? And how did he convince his early followers who were all monotheistic Jews? Is the Jesus we worship in church simply a legend invented by the early church? Come and find out these answers and more, as we explore the real Jesus of history.

The Case for Easter
The meaning of the resurrection of Jesus and why you should believe it, featuring a minimal facts approach to the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection.  

Science and Religion
The relationship and integration of science with religious belief, with a focus on the Christian faith. 

Theology Series

Introduction to Systematic Theology
On what systematic theology is and why it’s important to study.

Revelation: General and Special
On the two modes of divine revelation, or how God speaks to the world and individuals.

Revelation: Biblical inspiration
On how the inspiration of the Bible is verbal, plenary, and confluent all at once.

God: Biblical Motifs of God in the Old Testament
On what a Jew in the time of Jesus would think about God with an overview of the Old Testament material, or what God does and what He is like.

God: Divine Attributes of God’s Greatness
On the attributes of God that make Him great

God: Divine Attributes of God’s Goodness
On the attributes of God that make Him good

Trinity: Biblical Roots of the Doctrine of the Trinity 
On the data that forms the backbone of the doctrine of the Trinity

Trinity: Historical Survey and Evaluation of Trinitarian Models 
On the historical background of the doctrine of the Trinity that led to the standard solution in the Nicean Creed, as well the importance of the doctrine to the system of Christian thought and our lives.

Christ: Incarnation
On the historical background that led to the Chalcedonian Creed and its affirmation on the duel-nature of Christ. We look towards an answer to the question how Christ can be both human and divine. 

Christ: Atonement
On the biblical motifs that must be accounted for in any theory of the atonement and a defence of Penal Substitution against the charge that it is unjust to punish an innocent person. 

Christ: Resurrection
On the historical credentials of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the meaning that Christ’s Incarnation and Resurrection has for us.

Holy Spirit: Baptism and Fullness
On the person and work of the Holy Spirit, with a glimpse at some of the many things that Holy Spirit has his hand in, ending with a discussion on the baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit. 

Creation: God’s Relation to the World and Miracles
On how the Bible presents the transcendence and immanence of God in perfect balance.

Creation: Angels and Demons
On angels and demons; their nature, character, work and organisation, including the origin of Satan. 

Man: Image-bearers
On the greatness of humanity in that we bare the image of God, what it means for us

Man: Theological Anthropology
On the compositional nature of human beings. 

Man: Sin and Original Sin
On the depravity of humanity in that we are sinful, what sin is and an evaluation of the doctrine of original sin.

More Talks Coming soon: 

Salvation
Church
Last Things

Christian Living

A New Submission 
An exposition of Ephesians 5:22-23 on wives submitting to their husbands, and what the means for us today. How the cultural background to this text reveals a new vision of radical self-giving servanthood for all parties.  

Jesus: God’s Wisdom 
The Jewish and Greek background to the word of John 1:1, with an exposition of Proverbs 9, how Jesus represented God’s wisdom to us. 

Worship 
An exposition of Psalm 95, exploring why we should worship and how we can worship.  

The Kingdom of God and the Pattern of Christ’s Character
Key Scripture: Philippians 3:17, Three aspects of how to live according to the pattern Christ has given, to encouragement for everyone; (1) to find out who we are in God, and base our identity in who God is and nothing else, (2) to embrace a vision of the future or hope that looks like Christ and perseveres you through suffering with humility, and (3) becoming a fountain of living water to the a dead world

Foolishness
Key Scripture: Mark 7:18-23. A short talk on the biblical usage of the term as seen through the light of Genesis 3, creating your own morality, explaining the origins of cancel-culture and its effect of shame, and finally, showing how seeking after God is wisdom.

The Way of the Cross: What it means to be a disciple
Key Scripture: Mark 8:34-9:1, in which we see that being a disciple involves placing Christ at the centre of your life, being concerned about what Jesus is concerned about, and being an agent of life to the dead world around you.

The Results of the Fall: The entire sociological and psychological history of the world, Part I
Key Scripture: Gen 3. Exploring the reasons why Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the effects of that decision for us today, including; listening to the wrong voice and how this established a fig-leaf mentality.

The Results of the Fall: The entire sociological and psychological history of the world, Part II
Key Scripture: Gen 3. When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they engaged in an act of constructing your own morality. We explore the consequences of this, especially the sin of being judgemental.

The Trinity: An Explanation of the Doctrine and its meaning.
First we showcase the biblical evidence for the four components of the doctrine of the Trinity; that there is only one God, the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. Historical solutions of Modalism and Arianism are explored, with an explanation of how these four components fit together in orthodox Christian belief. Then a discussion on the importance of the doctrine of the Trinity, for marriage, the church and society.

How to Think like a Christian
Key Scripture: Roman 12:1-2. Capturing a vision of study as spiritual discipline and a Christian who honours God by thinking well: A worshipping, winsome, wary, warrior with the end in mind.

Culture and Kingdom
Key Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-16. Using the story of Abraham leaving the household of his parents so that he would inherit a new land of promise, it is explained that the various cultures of this world are what the Bible calls “kingdoms,” and that these too need to be left behind. We are called to be strangers in a strange land. Where the culture of our backgrounds are opposed to the kingdom of God, they need correcting, and where they are good, true and beautiful, will survive.

Salvation By Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, In Christ Alone: Three Keys, Six Objections & Six Responses to the Doctrine of Salvation
Key Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9. Answering the question of how salvation is applied to the believer, and answering difficult questions, from (1) Cheap Grace – “What does it matter if I sin? I’ll be saved in the end anyway.” (2) Blind Belief – “Faith is an excuse to believe the unbelievable.” (3) Belief is work – “If salvation is through faith alone and not work, why do you tell me to believe and repent and confess Jesus as Lord. Isn’t that doing something?” (4) Catholic Justification – “Salvation comes from combining faith and works. See James 2:24.” (5) Faith has mystical power – “Jesus says ‘Your faith has healed you.’” and (6) Soteriological Problem of Evil – “What about those who never hear about Christ? Isn’t that unfair?”

The Kingdom of God and the End of History: The Hope of Healing, Intimacy and Peace
Key Scriptures: Revelation 21:1 – Revelation 22:2, Ezekiel 47:12. How we think about the end of history has a big impact on how we think and act in the here and now. An explanation of this under-emphasised aspect of the Kingdom of God is given, and several examples are supplied for how the future invading the present makes a practical difference, including; church unity, rulership, forgiveness, suffering, living in the presence of God, hope, healing and peace. All underscoring the need to capture a vision of the future, and embody it right now in the present. 

Do you want Social Justice, or do you want Biblical Justice?
A thematic study explaining what Biblical Justice is, and how true justice is based upon truth, is proportional, direct, and impartial. After an explanation of Critical Social Justice (CSJ) and key terms such as Tolerance, Equity, Intersectionality and Neo-marxism, CSJ is then compared and contrasted with a host of authoritative quotations and relevant, contemporary examples. This is a sermon of cultural apologetics, of worldview analysis, and for anyone who struggles to believe the Bible is relevant for today.

Apologetics for the hurting 
A short talk to introduce a time of questions and answers, on how the discipline of seeking a rational response to objections to Christian belief is not just those who’re intellectually oriented in their faith, but also for those who’re hurting. It turns out everyone needs their questions answered, and everyone needs a dose of God’s wisdom. 

Honour your Father
Key Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4, where Paul quotes the commandment to honour your father. A short talk on what it means to honour your father and mother so that it may go well with you in the land.

The Greatest Message Ever Preached; Explaining the Gospel of Salvation in 10 (or so) Illustrations
Key Scripture: Romans 1:16. A dynamic presentation of the Gospel, using the illustrations that Jesus gave for the importance of salvation, the way of salvation, and the gracious gift Christ gave us all. 

Are you Ready? A Thematic Study of Readiness in the Bible
Key Scripture: Matthew 25:1-3, The Parable of the Ten Virgins. This is a reflection on faithfulness meaning not just loyalty and constancy but also vigilance and preparedness. The armour of God in Ephesians 6, in particular, the feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace, is emphasised, as is being prepared in one’s mind to always give an answer to those who ask, the great benefit of which is avoiding potholes and enabling enhanced ministry with the Holy Spirit.

God’s Family Council: Discovering your Place within the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible
Key Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:3; Psalm 68:15-18; Deuteronomy 32:8-9;
Ephesians 4:7-12
This sermon pulls the strings on one of the big stories of the Bible that draw all the parts together. It’s about how God always desired a family, and how he orchestrated a plan to get it despite the rebellious obstructions by humans. Its about how Adam lost his place from the garden-mountain of Eden and on God’s council, and how God planned to restore humanity. On how mountains were dwelling places of the gods, which gives context to the Tower of Babel and introduces the “‘”Divine Council” worldview. About the gifts Christ brought from his victory over the mountain of Bashan at the cross, and our new position with HIm.

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