IBS is an annual event organized by IILMAT and GCMG that takes place in November. This program is primarily intended to assist missionary students in becoming good stewards of their missions.
APOLOGETICS BY REV. PROF. ERICK ANUM’S
Apology, or apologetics, has its roots in Greek: (a defense). A subfield of Christian theology called apologetics strives to rationally defend the veracity claims of Christianity.
In Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics, Craig writes that apologetics is “particularly used to show to unbelievers the truth of the Christian faith, to confirm that faith to believers, and to uncover and explore the connections between the Christian doctrine and other truths” .
In modern times, where nation states have embraced more secular approaches to governance and public affairs generally, apologetics has become extremely important. When traditional religious worldviews and the growing pluralism and secularism in Africa, in particular, collide, Christianity is urged to defend its continued relevance and existence.
However, as Chatraw and Allen argued in their book Apologetics at the Cross, the Bible places the most emphasis on the cross.
Introduction: Hedonism, materialism, and consumerism .
We live in a world where questions of acquisition, possession, and consumption have taken on a very important role. Everyone is searching for ways to acquire enough for today while also making sure that tomorrow is taken care of.
As a result, we have evolved into a consumer culture that is willing to absorb anything, including religion, that comes our way.
As a result, we now live in a consumer society where we are willing to consume anything, including religion.
•Our main concerns now are instant success and enjoying life.
• In Africa, a continent rife with poverty.
• Examining Christian teachings on eternal life and abundant life is even more important.
• And how Christians react to the consumerist and materialistic world we live in today.
Hedonism
The origins of hedonism are found in classical Greece. especially in the Epicurean school of thought.
The core principle of hedonism is that happiness is the greatest good in life.
•The fundamental idea is that the pursuit of happiness ought to be the main objective of everyone.
• Some people have even combined Christianity and hedonism to create what is known as Christian Hedonism.
Hedonism’s central principle is to maximize happiness while minimizing activities that will result in suffering, melancholy, or unhappiness.
•The morality of an activity is assessed by the results of that action.
•An action is not considered morally righteous if the results are not joyful and delightful.
•Seek enjoyment and stay away from pain.
We want to consume food, entertainment, music, and other things.
Discussion
•Piper’s 2003 book Desiring God: Meditations on Christian Hedonism has become extremely well-liked among Christians.
How do you feel about the adage, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied”?
How about the Christian Virgin God’s statement? DON’T LET CHRIST COME NOW PLEASE, LET ME GET MARRIED AND ENJOY MARRIAGE LIFE A LITTLE FIRST!
Focusing on enjoying life can be difficult.
•For Christians, if enjoyment and pleasure are made the essence of good and the embodiment of good, it becomes simple for people to find excuses for injustice, bribery, unethical behavior, and insensitive actions.
Therefore, if slavery makes slave owners happy, a lot of things are manufactured, and the country develops.
Demons and Devils
• Introduction • On the African continent, where every aspect of life has a spiritual component, the question of demonic attacks and the activities of the devil in our world is a very contentious one. The New Testament makes several mentions of people who have been exorcised by Jesus. Satan and the devil have a tight relationship.
•There are sizable churches and healing and deliverance facilities that are exclusively devoted to delivering and releasing those who are under the control of demons.
Some people may occasionally experience demon possession or oppression.
A Christian can be oppressed by demonic spirits, but they cannot possess them, according to some Christian organizations that do not see how God could coexist with bad spirits.
Demonization has become a problem because: •The strict adherence to the stance that Christians can be oppressed but not possessed has caused some difficulties where there is the reality of the experience of demonic presence in a Christian’s life and this has been given milder designations like, demonic infestation, demonic invasion, demonic manifestation, etc.
•The following are the justifications provided here to support involvement in handling such situations:
- It does not contravene Scripture; rather, it does a better job of incorporating all of Scripture on the subject.
The following justifications are presented for dealing with such situations: 1. It does not contravene Scripture. 2. It does a better job of assimilating the entirety of Scripture on the subject.
2. It provides an explanation of a Christian’s spiritual conflicts that enables confrontation and resolution as opposed to just definition.
- It succeeds in the reality test.
Demonized Christians have been freed and taught self-defense techniques.
Do you believe there is sufficient justification for Christians to experience both demonic pressure and possession?
Biblical Analysis
•Luke 13:10–17; 2 Corinthians 11:1–4. Luke 13:11, 16
Defense from the Scriptures
•For example, there is no definite guarantee that once you receive the Spirit, evil spirits will stop attempting to enter your home.
•The infilling of the Spirit can be impaired, according to 1 Corinthians 2:14–3:3.
Galatians 5:16 also implies that, since demonic warfare never ceases, one must continue to triumph in conflicts between the flesh and the Spirit.
Romans 7:15–25 reiterates the Christians’ call to arms over the on-going spiritual battle.
Question for discussion
•If God will share a space in our temple with our old nature, which is evil, what silver bullet guarantees that he will not also allow demonic spirits to share space in the same temple, just because they are evil?
•Karl Payne.
To participate in this course, join us the coming year.
0 Comments