Presuppositional Apologetics - Scripture and Quotations

Scripture
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB® and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Romans 1:18-23

“For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of  people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds became darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.”

Psalm 14:1

“The fool says in his heart, ‘God does not exist.’ They are corrupt; their actions are revolting. There is no one who does good.”

Psalm 53:1

“The fool says in his heart, ‘God does not exist.’ They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good.”

Genesis 8:22

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and
day and night, will not cease.”

Proverbs 1:7a

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge...”

Colossians 2:3

“In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.”

Proverbs 26:4-5

“Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness or you will be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.”

1 Peter 3:15

“[Sanctify the Lord God] [Set apart Christ as Lord] in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” 

2 Timothy 2:24-26

“The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentile to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him to do his will.”

Quotes

Dr. Greg Bahnsen, in "The Great Debate" vs. Dr. Gordon Stein

“The Bible tells us, the fool has said in his heart, there is no God. Don't misunderstand that. When the Bible uses the term fool, it's not engaging in name-calling. It's trying to describe somebody who is dense in the sense that they will not use his reason as God has given it. Somebody who is rebellious, who is hard-hearted. It's the fool who says in his heart there is no God.”

Sye TenBruggencate on “A Rebel’s Cause Radio” August 16, 2012

“The reason we do apologetics is because we are commanded to. We are commanded to give a reasoned defense of our faith. So if an unbeliever were to question the authenticity of our faith, then we have to be able to give them a reasoned answer.”

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“I don’t say evidences are a bad thing. Evidences are a wonderful gift from God, normally used to bolster our faith. Now, you can use evidences with unbelievers, but just don’t use them to put God on trial. So rather than give evidence to prove to the unbeliever that God exists, I expose the fact that they already know God exists.”

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“God is not the conclusion to the argument. He is the necessary starting point, because if God is the conclusion, it is not God you are arguing to, it is an idol of your making.”

Tony Miano in the article “Bill Nye the Scie... Foolish Guy”

“[T]o present evidences for the existence of God is, on some level, to assert that God needs to be proven. It is to give legitimacy to the blasphemous notion that God can be put on trial--that convicted criminals (sinners) have the right to cross examine the Judge. 

“I believe to entertain and engage unbelievers on this level not only fuels and encourages the unbelievers' sinfulness, but it is also a blasphemous exchange on the part of God's proponent. That's right. To allow an unbeliever to put God on trial by participating in such a kangaroo court, even as a well-intentioned and loving defense attorney, is to participate in the unbeliever's blasphemy. And by aiding and abetting such blasphemy, the Christian takes part in the blasphemy and is, therefore, guilty of the same.”

1 Peter 3:15 — Four Keys to Being an Effective Apologist

Taken from "How Do We Know The Bible Is True, Vol. 1"
Chapter 10, "How To Do 'Foolproof' Apologetics"
by Dr. Jason Lisle

“Sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart.”
Remember that all knowledge is in Christ  (Colossians 2:3), and so our defense (apologetic) should be based unashamedly on the person of Christ as revealed in His Word. We can show that any system of thought, if it’s not based ultimately on biblical revelation, is inherently irrational.
“Be ready always to give a defense.”In obedience to our Lord, we should continually study the Bible and read about the common issues in apologetics so that we will be prepared. Thinking through the issues and studying the Scriptures is a lifelong process that will continually improve our defense of the faith.
“To everyone who asks a reason of the hope that is in you.”Remember that our job is to give a good defense for those who ask. We should not be discouraged if the person is not persuaded, as long as we have given a good, biblical faithful reason for our faith. Conversion is the job of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3).
“With gentleness and respect.”Our defense should never be emotionally charged or derisive. Remember, even those who are in rebellion against God are made in His image and deserve respect.