The intellectual precision critical for putting a man on the moon is also critical for Apologetics.
One takes us to the moon.
The other to the only worldview that reconciles us with God.
We’ve already seen that Apologetics is a critical component for evangelizing. (see ‘Why “No one is argued into the Kingdom of God by Apologetics” is incorrect’)
Yet, Apologetics not anchored to intellectual precision would be like going to the moon without Newton’s laws of motion.
You’ll never get there.
Does that mean we need a background in Physics, Mathematics and Rocket Science?
Not at all.
But we must explicitly understand the principles by which these disciplines successfully derived their conclusions.
Without these principles all knowledge, science, philosophy and even our worldview would be doomed to guesswork and blind faith. All conclusions would be equally invalid.
So, what are they?
The Fundamental Laws of Logic
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Also referred to as First Principles because they govern not only thinking, but reality itself.
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Intuitively obvious, self-evident truths built into our minds by The Creator.
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They cannot be violated. Not even by God, because they are rooted in His very nature.
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Because even God can’t make a square circle or a one-ended stick. As either would be a logical contradiction.
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To ignore The Fundamental Laws of logic is to ignore the mind which is to ignore thought which is to ignore reality and the very nature of God.
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Therefore arguing against the role of the mind when ministering and evangelizing to others (and to ourselves) is disastrous.
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Just look around at those we are losing.
So, who’s arguing?
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Those who would redefine and demote Apologetics from thinking to arguing are themselves arguing.
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They attempt to invalidate thinking by the use of thinking itself.
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But they can’t have it both ways!
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You can’t defeat logic by logic.
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You can’t argue against thinking by thinking.
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You can REFINE thinking by thinking, but that is a different matter entirely.
The Refining Process
The refining process of finding logical & observational flaws in our thought processes is a necessary requirement to insure precision in all of our conclusions.
It involves explicit awareness and exercise of The Fundamental Laws of Logic.
It insures our thinking is in alignment with Reality and Truth.
It is the basis of Philosophy and Science itself -the Scientific Method. (see True + Valid = RIGHT & also How do You Know You are Right?)
This intellectual precision and accuracy is critical for successfully putting a man on the moon and for building the foundation of the only worldview that reconciles us with God.
Is your Church arguing against the importance of the intellect while working desperately to refill the congregation lost through the intellectual drain they have neglected?
If so, there is an error in their logic.
‘Indeed, some scholars think the passage “In the beginning was the Word [logos]” (Jn 1:1) is accurately translated,
“In the beginning was Logic (a divine, rational mind).”’
–J. P. Moreland (Website)
(From his blog “What are the Three Laws of Logic”)
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