Chapter 2: What Makes Jesus So Different?

Simply put, apologetics is the defense of the Christian faith. You may wonder why we need to be able to defend Jesus Christ since faith isn't based on reason. However, just telling people to have faith isn't solely how Jesus or the early church operated. We will examine scripture each week that encourages us to use evidence to help people find their way to Christ.

Luke 7:19-22 “When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” At that very time, Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

"John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod and was sitting on death row. He previously baptized Jesus and identified him as the Messiah, but now that things were looking grim. John was wondering if he made the greatest life choices. He sent some disciples to get an answer from Jesus, and Jesus didn’t reply with a “just have faith” type of cliché. He pointed to the evidence from his miracles and fulfilled prophecy. Jesus had mercy on doubters. He repeatedly used his miracles as evidence of his identity. (see also John 5:36, John 10:37-38, John 14:11)" (Manning 2019)

In fulfilling The Great Commission we have many obstacles to overcome. According to the American World View Inventory 2020 (AWVI) "a slim 51% majority of Americans believe in a biblical view of God – down from 73% thirty years ago. Increasingly, the research finds mounting evidence that Americans are both redefining – and rejecting – God," and, "stunningly, Americans are more confident about the existence of Satan than they are of God. Overall, 56% contend that Satan is an influential spiritual being, yet almost half (49%) are not fully confident that God truly exists. And 44% believe Jesus Christ sinned while on Earth." (Barna 2020) Considering these statistics, we have our work cut out for us, and any tools, (such as apologetics) that might be useful in discipleship, we should strongly consider. If you'd like to view the complete American World View Inventory 2020 (AWVI) you can click the download button below. 

In this post we will discuss Chapter 2: What Makes Jesus So Different? In your comments please share any insights you may have had or connections you my have made while reading this chapter. Feel free to consider the following questions as well as the "What do you think?" questions within the chapter in shaping your response. Keep in mind, however, we are not looking for a list of answers to the questions.  

Barna, George (2020, April 21) American Worldview Inventory 2020 – At a Glance AWVI 2020 Results – Release #3: Perceptions of God. Arizona Christian University, Retrieved from https://www.arizonachristian.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CRC-AWVI-2020-Release-03_Perceptions-of-God.pdf

Manning, Erik (2019, May 5) 19 Essential Bible Verses and Passages on Apologetics, cross-examined.org Retrieved from https://crossexamined.org/19-essential-bible-verses-and-passages-on-apologetics/