Point: Presuppositional apologetics is really a worldview apologetics that among other things, analyzes the foundational beliefs of those who challenge the Christian worldview. In other words, Presuppositionalists engages in an internal critique against an opponent’s presuppositions to show how they cannot provide the “solid foundation” to make human experiences intelligible and meaningful. Sometimes people might not understand what the presuppositionalists is doing so an illustration is in order.
Picture: The classic children’s story of the three little pigs seems to be an appropriate analogy to illustrate my point.
Here’s an old Disney version of the story:
In defending one’s life, what material one build from matter: Will it be a house made out of straw, wood or brick? Likewise one’s doctrines in one’s worldview either defend or leave one defenseless to internal worldview critiques.
POSSIBLE SCENARIO FOR EMPLOYING THIS ILLUSTRATION DURING APOLOGETIC EVANGELISM
<After employing Presuppositional apologetics in a conversation >
OPPONENT: I don’t get what you are trying to do with my presuppositions. What’s your point?
CHRISTIAN: I’m trying to show how your worldview is self-refuting and how the foundational beliefs you hold ends up undermining the things you use against Christianity such as logic, morality, knowledge, etc. I suppose an illustration would be appropriate. Have you heard about the story of the three little pigs?
OPPONENT: Yes.
CHRISTIAN: Which pig has the house that protects from the wolf blowing it away?
OPPONENT: The pig with the house made out of brick.
CHRISTIAN: Likewise the “block house” that gives a strong defense is like Christianity. Would you go out and want a house that is easily destroyed?
OPPONENT: (Laughs) Of course not!
CHRISTIAN: I didn’t think so. In the same way, what I’m trying to show you is that you are trying to build a worldview made up of weak materials. But the Christian worldview will hold from an internal worldview critique.
[…] GO TO PART 65 […]
Surprised that the opponent didn’t say, “not by the hair of my chin…” This is a good illustration why Christian view is indeed on solid Rock, a “Brickhouse” because it is the Only True GOD’s own. Blessings to you and your family!
Kent you are so funny! 😀😅😂🤣😆
In our apologetics and our life May Christ be the Solid Rock which We stand! Amen! I’m going to go to sleep soon, have a good dinner 🙂
Thank you Jim! Likewise, going to sleep before 10PM for tomorrow’s second journey. 💉😉
Excellent analogy. Love it and Gersom’s response. Perfect.
Blessings.
Thank you Michael! We are grateful to GOD for what He reveals to us through His Word.
This seems like a great way to share with kids. Additionally, it lines up with 1 Peter 2: 4-8.
Wow thank you Mark for sharing that Scripture! That’s a relevant passage and motif matching with this apologetics’ illustration! HOw was your Lord’s Day yesterday?
My Sunday was restful for the most part (some instruction, some praise, a little doing things for my wife, but mostly rest).
Jimmy,
I like it. And there’s no greater example of the three little pigs analogy than when kids go off to college for the first time. Whether their house is built on the revelation of God, in his Word, makes all the difference as to how well they stand against the huffing & puffing of their professors and secular peers.
Grace and peace,
Dora
Dora thank you for reading this! Good point about how this analogy fits in regards to kids going off to college and what kind of beliefs they bring with them and how well developed their understanding of the Bible and the Gospel is. Before pandemic I did for years campus ministry and evangelism and it’s sad to see the state of how doctrinally some people are and how they are blown away by wild doctrines in classes and cults outside of class rooms. The last few years seems it got even worst the intolerance of Christianity in my campus evangelism…gotta pray. Appreciate seeing you on WordPress, how was yesterday?
So blessed yesterday as I hope you were in the Lord. Thanks for asking! 🙂🙏
Wonderful and timely analogy! Preach on, Brother, Preach on!
Thanks!! I appreciate it. How was your Lord’s Day yesterday?
Awesome! The Holy Spirit was present and anointing with joy!
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford.
Never thought of this children story as an analogy for good apologetics
Good and humorous analogy! I really appreciate how pre-sup shows how atheists borrow from the Christian/Biblical worldview to “prove” their atheistic worldview.
Hope you’re having a good rest day! What’s on the rest day docket?
I’m helping my dad with finding a new place to move and also paperwork stuff all morning and afternoon so far. And I think of what you have to do with your sister’s property which was even more work! I’m glad you appreciate Presuppositional apologetics. And that you get what it’s trying to do! What are you up to for today?
Hope your parents find a new place soon. I’m sure they appreciate your help! A contractor cleaned out my sister’s gutters this morning. She rarely had it done so the rain spilled over the gutters and the moisture has been eroding the basement cinder blocks for years. Contractors cleaned out the heat ducts at our house today and I had the weekly Zoom call with a Florida sister about our sister with dementia’s status and the status of the house. I then cut the back lawn despite the damp grass.
Clever!!!!! My last house in PA I had built and it had MAJOR structural damage. It was horrific my house was sliding down the hill, you could see day light through cracks in my basement. For my hermeneutics class I made a video showing how hermeneutics is both a science and an art and that anyone who thinks foundations don’t matter needs to live in a house that is literally falling down and they will learn quickly that building materials matter, foundations matter, soil levels matter!!! Love, hugs and blessings to you, Nancy and kiddos! I have all my old pictures I can email you for sermon illustrations if you want!!
Wow what a vivid example! Is this previous home in Florida or PA? Sounds like a good idea for a sermon illustration!!!
It was in PA. If my time with the youth was ok and I ever get another opportunity I would love to share this with them about building your life on a firm foundation. I shared my housing presentation at a youth center (it is a Christ centered program but most youth are FAR from God) and I know it impacted some of the youth! So just a thought!!
There will definitely be opportunities for you to share with our youth!!!
Good point that these other worldviews are not made out of strong materials. They might look like they will hold up, but ultimately they don’t.
Grateful you saw the truth I was trying to convey! Blessings to you!
Super. Thank you.
You’re welcome! Thanks for checking this post out Maw Maw! Have a blessed Tuesday when you see and read this comment!
I am breathing 110% humidity. He o t = Hot.:)
Amen! Great illustration.
A fitting analogy
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