Point: An important aspect of Presuppositional Apologetics is that God’s Word continue to be authoritative even when one engage with witnessing and defending the Scripture. This is often ridiculed by nonbelievers and even some believers who reject Presuppositional apologetics. Can we give an analogy to help the listeners consider why Presuppositionalist do not wish to give up the Bible?
Picture: I saw a news article titled “Kuwaiti army allows women in combat roles – but without guns” posted on February 17th, 2022. Here’s what the article says:
Kuwaiti women are angry after the military, having allowed female soldiers to take combat roles, decided they need the permission of a male guardian and banned them from carrying weapons.
Activists have decried the policy as “one step forward, two steps back” after the defence ministry also decided that women in the armed forces, unlike civilians, must wear head coverings.
I don’t want to go tangent about women in the combat arms with the military but I think it is sufficient to point out how strange it is to be in a military billet that involves combat roles while being banned from carrying weapons. That strikes one as strange. Likewise when we consider apologetics and defense of the faith with nonbelievers biblically speaking it is spiritual warfare for people’s soul and also for God to be glorified. Why would one want to be involved with a combat assignment and not be armed with the Word of God especially when we see what Scripture teaches about the Bible is, and what it does.
POSSIBLE SCENARIO FOR EMPLOYING THIS ILLUSTRATION DURING APOLOGETIC EVANGELISM
NON-CHRISTIAN: Stop bringing up the Bible. I don’t believe it. Its not my authority.
CHRISTIAN: I know you reject the Bible but I don’t think it is rational in my worldview to not use it just because you reject it.
NON-CHRISTIAN: That’s irrational. You shouldn’t use it because I don’t think it works.
CHRISTIAN: Here’s what the Bible says about the Bible in bringing about people’s salvation. <Insert relevant Bible data>. Now, the BIble is the Sword of the Spirit. Let me give you an analogy. <Insert analogy>. Let me ask you know should any soldier, male or female, should not have any weapon just because someone doesn’t think the soldier shouldn’t have it? Furthermore, if the soldier’s enemy says he doesn’t believe in the power of the weapon, should the soldier throw down the weapon and not use it?
NON-CHRISTIAN: Of course not.
CHRISTIAN: Likewise that’s why I am not going to give up the Word.
The Domain for Truth 
Wow. Great illustration.
Wow thanks that means a lot! That encourages me to try to have more of these analogies! Busy weekend of ministry this weekend?
Yes, brother. I preached on 1 John 3:3 and we had our congregational meeting. It was a blessing!
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Great analogy brother. Very helpful. Thanks for the morning insight.
Blessings.
I LOVE these analogies! Totally life applicable! I know folks who are legitimate religious pacifists; however, I know they would say this illustration makes sense. I learn more about presuppositional apologetics through these illustrations than I do through meatier posts and textbooks. As you said to Jeff, I would encourage you to do have more of these illustrations when you have time! Praying for you and the youth today!!!
Wow thanks for the encouragement I’ll do more of these Lord willing! Have your classes Any of them mentioned Presuppositional apologetics yet?
I don’t expect my Greek class at least Greek 1 to talk about this. My writing class might. However, I did mention you and how I am really interested in learning about presuppositional apologetics and reading Van Til in my time at WTS. So thankful for ALL the ways God uses you! Nathan told me to tell you, “thank you brother for your prayers, this brace is helping.” They don’t want to do surgery unless they absolutely have to.
Good point: “if the soldier’s enemy says he doesn’t believe in the power of the weapon, should the soldier throw down the weapon and not use it?”
Amen Frank thanks for reading this! I hope I can write some more analogies and illustrations for apologetics conversations
Great, reasonable, and very practical illustration to use. Thanks
Thanks sir! Appreciate the encouragement and hope your Saturday is going well and blessed!!!
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Excellent analogy, brother! 🎯
Thanks for the support! In light of our talk about the cold and going to work how long do you usually have to spend to shovel or blow the snow off your driveway?
A moderate amount of snow, 3-4 inches, takes 30 minutes but a foot of snow takes an hour or more. I don’t like to snowblow the driveway on work weekends. I will do it only if I can’t get the car to the street. I’ll be snowblowing tomorrow to clean up Friday’s snow.
Saying “Don’t bring up The Bible in your defense of The Scriptures” is just a nonbeliever’s way of saying,”shut up” without appearing to be unreasonable. How can you discuss anything without bringing that ‘anything’ up?
Romans 1:22
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
This is a great analogy, thanks for sharing. I have thought a lot about nonbelievers asking Christians to disregard the Bible. I think they do this because they know we are unarmed without it.
Thanks for reading this! By the way your post is on the same topic as this! Man I’m so encouraged to hear you getting into Presup! Would be neat to see you review the book you got once you finish them. Are you teaching or preaching tomorrow?
I am really getting into presupp. I think, though, I have always been presupp but never really realized it. I may do a review, not sure yet.
No, not teaching or preaching tomorrow. My role at the church is small groups pastor although I am transitioning to men’s minister and care pastor.
I help with sermon prep and planning sermon series but I don’t really preach on Sunday morning, we have a few pastors who are much more gifted at that than I am.
Reblogged this on RG's 2 Cents Studios.
Great illustration. Thanks!
The illustration is very helpful to encourage to not give up the authority of Scripture which is what Satan wants
Nice and great article, thank you
Why would they take away weapon of anyone in a combat role??
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Well it’s very apparent that what are “used to be” stories result from lack of sound theology teaching when they did believe..
And that.even is. “what did they believe”
Wahiawa Hawaii
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