Developing a Confident Faith

Mark Mittelberg

Mark Mittelberg outlines six different faith paths, or approaches, that people use to decide what to put their faith in. The first is the relativistic path, that truth is what you make it and it is personal. The second is the traditional path, that truth is what you've always been taught. Others follow the authoritarian path, that truth is what you've been told to believe. The intuitive path is rooted in truth being what your feel in your heart, similar to the mystical path where truth is what you think God has told you. Finally, there is the evidential path, that truth is what logic and evidence point to. Mittelberg presents a brief list of several examples of the evidence pointing to Christianity.

Apologetics for Regular People

Gary DeLashmutt
Romans 1:16

Not all believers are engaged in regular debates with highly educated scholars and experts. But what is the role of apologetics for those other "regular" people? Apologetics serve to strengthen Christians' faith and help us in our evangelism. Not only verbal but also lifestyle apologetics aid our evangelism, as we live in such a way that helps others see something different and attractive in us and our community. Therefore, we should make an effort to become equipped with and utilize apologetics in our Christian faith.

Is Good from God?

William Lane Craig
Romans 1:16

Dr. William Lane Craig answers an important question that shows that theology is foundational for morality. Different world views derive morality from different sources, but the Christian faith puts forth that moral values are grounded in God. Craig expounds upon two claims: If God exists, then there is a sound foundation for morality, and if he does not, morality is just a mere human invention. In addition to this, there are several moral reasons to believe in a God.

Doubt

John Lennox
John 11:30-44

Doubt is a universal experience, but contrary to popular belief, so is faith. Many people segregate the term "faith" to only the religious sect, but the truth is that all humans exercise faith on a daily basis. We do this because there are exceptionally few things in this world (outside the realm of mathematics) where we can have one hundred percent proof. Not even physical science can have this. Instead, we regularly place our faith into things that have reasonable or overwhelming evidence that they are true. Christianity is no different. We grow in our trust of God as we continue to know Him more. Our doubt of God shrinks as we build a relationship with Him and as our faith continues to build upon increasing evidence.

Skeptic's Challenge

Doug Pollock
1 Peter 3:15

After showing a video clip of an atheist questioning a Christian, Christian speaker Doug Pollock invites members of the audience to provide their own feedback of the discussion. Following this, several proclaimed atheist guests take the stage to act as a panel. Pollock invites them to explain some of their backgrounds, issues with faith, and insights into their world views. After the panel presentation, members of the audience are invited to ask questions of them as well.

What is the Blessing of Faith?

Jeff Gordon
Galatians 3:23-4:7

Many Christians fall into a legalistic paradigm, where they believe that they earn God's blessings by living faithfully. While a good life of blessings can be reached by living a faithful life, submission to this linear arrangement actually adds pressure and guarantees failure. The blessing of faith, as opposed to legalism, is a growing relationship with God through faith. In light of this, we should live as children of God, developing closeness with our Father in heaven.

Abraham's Life of Faith

Jeff Gordon
Genesis 12:1-4

In the book of Galatians, Paul continues to defend a life of faith as opposed to the Law. He reminds the believers in Galatia that both their salvation and sanctification never had to do with the Law, but were a result of the Spirit's work in them. No one can be made right with God through trying to keep the Law, and even Abraham was blessed solely because of his faith. As Abraham received a blessing for his faith, so now believers can receive the Holy Spirit through faith.

The Healing of the Blind Man

Conrad Hilario
John 9:1-41

Jesus is with his disciples on the Sabbath. They encounter a man who was blind from birth. The disciples' question Jesus on why the man was born blind. Through Jesus' healing of the blind man and the Pharisees response, many theological issues are addressed such as sin, the Sabbath, and humanity's true spiritual condition.

Faith vs. Law

Jeff Gordon
Galatians 2:16-20

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul argues the case that the Christian life is about faith rather than following the Law. He argues that we are justified by faith, and that because of this we are sanctified on the same basis: the work of Christ.