Listen to podcast audio:
Dr. K. Scott Oliphint joins the Gary Wilkerson Podcast for part two of their conversation on practical apologetics. This week, they talk about what it means to reflect Christ in the real world and why we need to show love to everyone in our lives, even those who oppose us.
Key Points from the Podcast
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The church cannot let culture determine what is relevant. There is nothing more relevant to every human being than the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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God’s divine design is male and female joined together in marriage, but when human beings suppress the truth of the knowledge of God, he will turn them over to their sin such that they begin to violate God’s natural order.
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Many in society today are basing their identity in their sin and sexual preferences rather than in their Creator—being made in the image of God. The Lord’s desire is that all, by grace through faith, would be in Christ, not in their fallen Adamic nature.
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The Word of God is living and active; and it will always speak to current cultural issues.
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Christians need confidence in their confession and profession of the authority of scripture and the centrality of Christ, so that when culture imposes itself, they know what they believe and why they believe it.
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There is great value is reading old books from authors like John Owen and William Gurnall because they thought with a depth and complexity that can challenge our modern intellects.
Bible Verses Referenced in the Podcast
Romans 1:18–32; Genesis 1–3; Romans 2:15; 1 Samuel 25:39; Genesis 20:6; Romans 6; Matthew 4:4; 1 Peter 2:9; Colossians 1:13; Matthew 16:15; Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 2:5
Resources Mentioned in the Podcast
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The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield
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Why Johnny Can’t Preach by T. David Gordon
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The Institutes of Christian Religion by John Calvin
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The Christian in Complete Armor by William Gurnall [Free PDF]
About Dr. K. Scott Oliphint
Rev. Dr. K. Scott Oliphint is professor of apologetics and systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. Dr. Oliphint’s academic interests include Cornelius Van Til’s apologetics, the relationship between Christian apologetics and philosophy, and the doctrine of God.
For those who are new to Dr. Oliphint’s writing and teaching on his research interests, he recommends several resources as places to start. On Van Tillian apologetics, he would recommend starting with his books Covenantal Apologetics or The Battle Belongs to the Lord, or the introductory video “Our Theology in Our Apologetics.” On Christian apologetics and philosophy, consider starting with Reasons for Faith: Philosophy in the Service of Theology, or his online post “Aquinas: A Shaky Foundation.”