My Rookie Year of Apologetics

Tim

Stratton

(The FreeThinking Theist)

|

January 3, 2017

A Note from Tim Stratton

I just completed my rookie year of apologetics. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started, but one year ago FreeThinking Ministries was officially launched.

FreeThinking Ministries is devoted to helping all people see God for who He truly is so that they can fall in love with Him – and all people – as we were created to do. Our team seeks to rationally engage all people with truth and reason (Philippians 4:5; Colossians 4:5-6). We are focused on strengthening the faith of believers and graciously challenging the faith of non-believers (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Our audience is “all people” (1 Timothy 2:4). We desire to equip and reach the general church audience. This is our primary goal and where the majority of our time is focused. Our team speaks to and teaches both Christian and skeptical audiences. We also desire to step into personal relationships in smaller group training sessions.

We are also passionate about reaching the lost with a clear presentation of who God really is and the Gospel message which corresponds to Him. This is the “secondary goal” of FreeThinking Ministries; however, as I like to point out, the secondary goal provides powerful support for, and is vital in, accomplishing the primary goal.

After officially completing my rookie year, I have to say that we (the board, regular contributors, guest contributors, my wife and I) have been quite successful in accomplishing our vision to this point. With that said, however, I know we are not even close to reaching our full potential. Consider some of FTM’s rookie year highlights.

Rookie Year Highlights

First, I have been amazed at the number of those who have come to reject atheistic naturalism and have come to Christ through rational interaction since I started apologetics-based evangelism. In fact, the first week of this new venture, two individuals who considered themselves to be atheists left that worldview and gave their lives to Christ. That was quite encouraging!

It is more common to see those who already affirm Christianity, but might have some doubts, have their faith strengthened which leads to a bold life for Christ. In fact, I would venture to say that thousands of Christians have had their faith strengthened via freethinkingministries.com this past year! We have seen people around the world impacted by this ministry. From Australia to Africa, from South America to Europe, to the Middle East, and all around the United States, we are being contacted by many who are thanking us for our work and asking deep questions.

In fact, several Spanish speakers from other countries asked us to start sharing our articles in Spanish. We listened and have recently started publishing articles in Spanish.

Although we have a passion to equip Christians, one thing that has surprised me is that some Christians do not like apologetics and some others do not like our logical approach to evangelism. One thing I have learned over my rookie year is that as soon as one actually offers logical reasons (argues)as to why a specific metaphysical worldview is true, or even why a specific version of a worldview is true, some people will despise you!

I have heard it said that the Gospel is offensive. However, this past year I have come to see how true this statement is — especially when it is backed up by facts, logic, evidence, and reason! I understand why this is the case and I do not take it personally when non-believers are upset (John 15:18). I will tell you this, if you have thin skin, then apologetics is not a field you should go into!

As an aspiring logician, I make an intentional effort to NOT have emotional conversations, but logical dialogues (most of the time I am successful). One thing I have learned over the course of my rookie year, however, is this: People HATE when one demonstrates that they are committing a logical fallacy or that their worldview is logically incoherent! Many take it personally.

For example, although I have seen my Freethinking Argument be the catalyst to bring some naturalistic atheists to convert to Christianity, some atheists seem to be more committed to their naturalistic worldview than to reason and truth. However, to reject the deductive conclusions of the Freethinking Argument (and continue to hold their atheistic beliefs), one typically affirms that they are not really a free thinker, nor do they possess the ability to be rational, nor can they possess knowledge which would be justified through a rational thought process.

My point is this: although atheists do not like arguments like the Kalam, the Leibnizian Cosmological Argument, The Moral Argument, the Fine-Tuning Argument, or the historical argument for the resurrection of Jesus, they absolutely HATE the Freethinking Argument because it demonstrates their irrationality. I like to comfort them and let them know that they are quite rational. However, if this is true, then it logically follows that their worldview is false. As it says in Acts 17, “some were persuaded!”

Another thing I have learned is that I have a propensity to jump into things while relying on “my own” abilities. I sometimes try to write articles or jump into conversations or debates without praying first. When I go about things in this manner, it is definitely strained to say the least. However, when I take a moment to pray and ask God for His guidance, and His words, then things typically seem much more relaxed and things just seem to flow.

All of that to say: I have to depend on God and I am learning to do this more every single day!

In November I attended the Evangelical Philosophy/Theology Society in San Antonio, Texas. I was having so much fun seeing some of the most famous theologians in the world today and rubbing shoulders with them. Although I was “geeking out” like a groupie amongst rock stars, I was quite encouraged (and humbled) to be stopped by some of these theological “rock stars” and for them to thank me for the work FreeThinking Ministries has done this past year! One of my highlights was when Dr. Tyler McNabb, a professor from Houston Baptist, told me that they are discussing my Freethinking Argument in his classroom. To say the least, I was honored.

While attending this conference, Dr. Kirk MacGregor asked me to join a handful of other scholars and contribute an article to a peer-reviewed theological journal regarding Molinism. I believe this theological issue has immense apologetics significance as it seems to be the only view of God’s sovereignty that defeats the number one objection to the existence of God — the so called “problem of evil.” This has become the main focus of my PhD work and I am also currently contributing two chapters to a systematic theology book focused on Molinism. This along with publishing weekly articles, videos, sermons, teaching, and evangelism is keeping me and the FreeThinking Ministries team busy. We are busy, but we love working for the Lord! One thing is for sure, we are never bored!

Looking Ahead

I am excited for my sophomore season! FreeThinking Ministries is bringing on two new teammates: Adam Coleman (who has contributed three awesome guest articles this past year) and Jacobus “Kobie” Erasmus (a PhD metaphysician from South Africa who dreams in symbolic logic)! Along with Timothy Fox and Jonathan Thompson, I could not ask for better teammates!

Coming off the bench (so-to-speak) are some fantastic guest contributors! Richard Eng played a vital role in getting FTM started and will continue to occasionally contribute as a guest writer. Randy Everist, Shawn White, Trevor Slone, Jonathan Bartlett, and Tommy Cunningham all played vital roles while contributing guest articles. Dr. Kirk MacGregor hit a home run and brought unity to the Body of Christ with an article this past year and so did Steve Williams. Both of these guys are official Reasonable Faith chapter directors. I have invited all the official RF directors to occasionally contribute. I look forward to sharing more from these men and from some of my other colleagues and former classmates at Biola University.

All of my teammates — from the regular bloggers to the guest contributors — are doing this ministry on a volunteer basis (at least for now). I am humbled by their contributions to this team; they do it all for the glory of God and nothing else! I even have one guy who volunteers to do some occasional research for me. I will not share his name, but it is Shannon Eugene Byrd! Whoops! 😉

I am currently working on my PhD in systematic theology, contributing to a peer-reviewed academic journal regarding the focus of my research, and co-authoring two chapters with Kobie Erasmus in an upcoming book regarding Molinism. In addition to writing weekly articles and making occasional videos, teaching in live settings, and filling church pulpits, I do not have much free time on my hands (by the way, Time Proves God)!

We are also looking to hire one or two new people to join the “coaching staff” part-time. For all intents and purposes I am a player/coach, so I need help both on the field and in the dugout! I am looking to hire someone who can play an administrative role and also someone who can help FreeThinking Ministries connect to more churches so that we can equip the church to engage the culture.

We are hoping to equip the entire Church to rationally engage the culture. From  pastors, youth pastors, Sunday school teachers, and even to the people in the pews, we are making an effort to equip these folks this upcoming year whether it be online or offline. We have big plans, but we need additional support to accomplish our goals. Please pray for additional funds to come in so that we can fill these vital positions.

Conclusion

I am so thankful for all those who make this ministry possible. I am thankful for those who have given us their stamp of approval and endorsed our ministry. I am also thankful for guys like Frank Turek and Jorge Gil Calderon who have shared multiple articles written by the FreeThinking Ministries team. I am thankful for my board of directors. And I am so thankful for the churches and individuals who support this ministry with financial gifts and prayers. We would not be making splashes in this world for God’s glory if it were not for you!

If there is one thing I have learned over my rookie year it is this: I am still learning, I have a lot to learn, and I look forward to learning more every single day!

Stay reasonable (Philippians 4:5),

Tim Stratton

 

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About the Author

Tim

Stratton

(The FreeThinking Theist)

Timothy A. Stratton (PhD, North-West University) is a professor at Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary. As a former youth pastor, he is now devoted to answering deep theological and philosophical questions he first encountered from inquisitive teens in his church youth group. Stratton is founder and president of FreeThinking Ministries, a web-based apologetics ministry. Stratton speaks on church and college campuses around the country and offers regular videos on FreeThinking Ministries’ YouTube channel.

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