Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis

Jesus was many things, such as Lord and Messiah, but we may be hesitant to consider him a philosopher. I argue that given Jesus’ coherent worldview and skill at argumentation, it is wise to both consider him as a philosopher and to look to him for intellectual inspiration. I pay close attention to Jesus’ stellar reasoning abilities concerning two theological issues raised in Matthew 22. Resources Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus (USA: Wadsworth, 2003). Douglas Groothuis, “Jesus: Philosopher and Apologist,” Christian Research Journal (2009), https://www.equip.org/articles/jesus-philosopher-and-apologist. P. Moreland, Love Your God with All Your Mind, 2nd ed. (NavPress, 2013). James Sire, Habits of the Mind (InterVarsity Press, 2000). See chapter nine, “Jesus the Reasoner.” Dallas Willard, “Jesus, the Logician,” Christian Scholars Review XXVIII, no. 4 (1999).   For more from Dr. Groothuis, visit  DouglasGroothuis.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, Dr. Groothuis presents a biblical and logical argument against abortion and for the value of unborn human life. He begins by discussing Reproductive Health Equity Act before the Colorado State Congress, which would forbid any restriction on abortion and deny any moral value to the unborn.  He argues that a fetus is a living being, not a potential life, and that it is a human being, not a potential human. He further argues that the unborn ought to be a recipient of legal protection, and that any life-taker carries the burden of proof. Dr. Groothuis condemns the bill as untrue, irrational, inhumane, and unjust and requests that it be voted down. Episode Timestamps: [00:01:35] The Intrinsic Value of Life. [00:05:12] Abortion laws in Colorado. [00:10:13] Fetus is a living human. [00:13:20] Abortion and personhood. [00:17:20] Abortion and morality. [00:21:28] Abortion and moral responsibility. Pro-life Organizations: Alternatives Pregnancy Center, Denver: http://youhavealternatives.org National Right to Life. Veteran pro-life group with an active, impressive website. 419 7th NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20004. 202-626-8800. Web page: www.nrlc.org. Colorado Right to Life. http://www.coloradorighttolife.org. Care-Net. Evangelical ministry working to help unwed mothers choose life. 109 Carpenter Dr., Suite 100, Sterling, VA 20164. 703-478-5661. Web page: care-net.org. Feminists for Life. Drawing on historic, pro-life feminism, this group reaches many people that overtly Christian groups do not. 733 15th NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005. 202-737-FFLA. Web page: www.feministsforlife.org For more from Dr. Groothuis, visit  DouglasGroothuis.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

"My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you…" - Galatians 4:19. Apologetics is the discipline of defending the Christian faith as objectively true, rational, and applicable to life (1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3). This ministry requires a life attuned to the Spirit of God. Apologetics is a spiritual discipline of study that requires the fruit of the Holy Spirit for its integrity and effectiveness. The apologist thus needs humility and studiousness in his or her efforts to explain, commend, and defend the Christian worldview.    Reading Jacques Barzun, The House of the Intellect. Harper, 2002 reprint. Harry Blamires, The Christian Mind. Servant, 1963. Os Guinness, Fit Bodies, Fat Minds. Baker, 1994. Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 2nd InterVarsity Pres, 2022, Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life. InterVarsity Press, 1979. George Marsden, The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship. Eerdmans, 1998. P. Moreland, Love Your God With all Your Mind, 2nd ed. NavPress, 2013. P. Moreland, Finding Quiet. Zondervan, 2019. I. Packer, Knowing God. InterVarsity Press, 1973. Eugene Peterson, Eat This Book. Eerdmans, 2008. John Piper, Think. Crossway, 2011. Francis Schaeffer, True Spirituality. Tyndale, 1972 Francis Schaeffer, The God Who is There. InterVarsity, 1968. James Sire, Habits of the Mind. InterVarsity Press, 2000. Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart. NavPress, 2002. Dallas Willard, Knowing Christ Today. HarperOne, 2014. For more from Douglas Groothuis, visit  DouglasGroothuis.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

I.    Truth and Religion  A.    Framing the great debate on religion and spiritualityTaking objective truth seriously in a pluralistic, postmodern setting B.    The appeal of the oneness claim (all religions teach basically the same thing): religious strife is eliminated. But this must be logically tested. II.    What are Truth Claims in Religion? A.     Defining the nature of truth: that which corresponds to  objective reality. For more on this, see Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay (InterVarsity Press, 2000), chapter four. B.    Defining a truth-claim: a statement that claims to describe objective reality C.    The logic of truth-claims—rules of the intellectual system, rational analysis 1.    The law of noncontradiction: A is not non-A (contradictory statements cannot both be true; nothing possesses contradictory properties) 2.    Examples of the law of noncontradiction in religious  truth-claims a.    Buddha cannot be enlightened and not enlightened at the same time; the claim is that he became enlightened. b.    Jesus cannot be the Christ (Messiah) and not be the Christ (Messiah). The claim is he always was the Messiah. c.    If what Buddha affirms about reality contradicts what Jesus affirms about reality, then both Buddha’s and Jesus’ view of reality cannot be true. They could both be false if some other worldview is true. A.    This fundamental law of logic is a necessary assumption for all rational discourse. III.    Similarities Between Jesus and Buddha A.    Both are world-historical founders of major religions B.    Their lives are enshrined in sacred texts C.    Both exhibited profound compassion and gathered followers D.    Both emphasized the need to find enduring peace E.    Both taught basic ethical teachings on love and respect, versions of the Golden Rule IV.     Jesus and Buddha: Key Differences of Worldview A.    Do two major religions agree on core issues or disagree?  If they disagree, they cannot be one in essence; cannot both true B.    Documents on Jesus and Buddha 1.    Buddha: Large body of texts far removed in history from life of Buddha. Miracles are not central to the message (dharma) of Buddha. 2.    Jesus: Four Gospels (and the rest of the New Testament) are written a few decades after Jesus’ time on earth by eyewitnesses or those who consulted them. Miracles are central to the message of Jesus. See Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus, chapter two. C.    The worldview of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha (ca. 566-486 BCE) 1.    Ultimate reality or the sacred—atheistic or agnostic on God; but nirvana exists 2.    The human condition—suffering is due to craving and ignorance 3.    Spiritual liberation/salvation a.    “Four noble truths”—freedom from craving through insight into the cause of suffering  1.    Life is suffering2.    Suffering is caused by craving3.    The cessation of craving leads to liberation4.    The way of liberation is through the Eightfold path b.    The Eightfold path—wisdom, ethical conduct, mental discipline c.    The afterlife: reincarnation/karma or nirvana (release from reincarnation) D.    The worldview of Jesus, the Christ (Messiah) 1.    Ultimate reality—a personal and moral Creator God (Matthew 22:37-39) 2.    Human condition—image bearers of God estranged from God (Mark 7:21-23; See Romans 3:14-26 also) 3.    Spiritual liberation/salvation a.    Repentance; turning from self-centeredness (sin) to God’s authority (Matthew 4:1: Luke 24:45-47) b.    Belief and trust in Jesus himself for eternal life (John    1:12-13; 3:16; 14:6; Romans 10:9). You have to do something with Jesus c.    The redemptive power of the suffering death (Cross) of   Jesus Christ (Matthew 20:28; 25-28; Romans 5:6-8) 4.    The afterlife: Either fellowship with God and the redeemed or eternal punishment (Matthew 25:31-46) E.    Two momentous lives compared    1.    Buddha—a sage, teacher, and reformer. Sought          enlightenment through knowledge and experience;         shared this with others 2.    Jesus—claimed to be God in human form (unrepeatable) a.    Never sought enlightenment, but began ministry in power and confidence (Matthew 4) b.    Offered to provide forgiveness for sin against a holy God (Mark 2:1-12; John 3:16-18) c.    Claimed to be one with a personal God (John 8:58; John 10:22-31) IV.    Conclusion: Between Jesus and Buddha— Gospel or Dharma? A.    Buddhism and Christianity cannot both be true; they contradict each other on crucial matters of worldview and spirituality: A cannot be non-A (the law of noncontradiction) B.    Objective truth

Full show notes at https://www.lifeaudio.com/truth-tribe-with-douglas-groothuis/episodes  Religious Founders The concern for truth and rationality Truth: what corresponds to reality. See Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay. Rationality: testing truth-claims logically and by the evidence Categories of analysis: Sources of information, life, worldview, existential meaning Jesus (0-33 AD) Source of knowledge: the New Testament: Gospels, Acts, Epistles, Revelation Gospels: Written by eyewitnesses or those who consulted them Synoptic gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke—approximately 70-80 AD; John: 90 AD Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught—Luke 1:1-4. Epistles of Paul: written in 50s AD; probably before the Gospels. See I Corinthians 15:1-8 on the gospel and resurrection of Jesus Jesus’ life Jewish itinerate teacher, preacher, prophet, healer, exorcist Taught the Kingdom of God has come (Matthew 4:17) Was crucified by the Romans Was worshiped by followers as resurrected from the dead (Romans 1:3-4) Jesus’ worldview God: monotheism; Heavenly Father and Creator Human problem: sin (Mark 7:21-23) Solution to human problem: faith in Jesus’s work (John 3:16-18) Jesus as God Incarnate (Mark 2; John 8:58); second person of the Trinity (Matthew 28:18-20) Existential meaning Forgiveness, fellowship, meaning through Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 15:58) Confidence in life and death (Romans 8) Mohammad (570-632) Source: Koran (and Hadith and Sunna) Koran: One book received by one man from an angel; not written down by Mohammad, but others later 114 chapters: about the size of The New Testament Reinterprets Hebrew Bible and New Testament Hadith: commentary on Koran; Sunna: life of Mohammad Mohammad’s life Received a revelation while meditating in a cave in 610 AD. Considered the last and greatest of the prophets: “seal of the prophets.” Life: Mecca and Medina Was a military, political, and spiritual leader after returning to Mecca from Medina Mohammad’s worldview One God: Allah, monotheism Say (O Muhammad): He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.—Qur’an, Sura 112.  Human problem: weakness, ignorance Human solution: confess Allah and obey his law Existential meaning Strive for paradise, avoid hell Keep precepts: confession of faith, giving, pilgrimage to Mecca, observe Ramadan, pray five times daily Extend the Islam throughout the world, so that all obey Allah’s law (sharia) Rational Assessment of Jesus and Mohammad The sources for Christ more varied and rooted in history than the sources for Mohammad. Mohammad’s claim to being a prophet is questionable, given his denial of the identity of Jesus (not God) and his denial of the biblical gospel (Galatians 1:6-11) Claims of Mohammad based on the beauty of Koran and the early success of Islam Beauty is not the same as truth; some scholars claim it is not beautiful, but confusing. That is why Hadith is needed to interpret it. The success of Islam does not argue in its favor, since might does not make right Claims of Jesus are based on historical documents close to the events described (four Gospels) Qur’an and New Testament agree that: Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (Qur'an, Surah 3:38-48) Jesus was a messenger (Qur’an, Surah 5:75) Jesus is sinless (Qur’an, Surah 19:9) Jesus was “the Messiah” (Qur’an, Surah 4:171) Jesus was “a word from God” (Qur’an, Surah 4:171) Jesus worked miracles (Qur’an, Surah 3:49) Jesus ascended to heaven (Qur’an, Surah 4:148) Jesus will come again—Second Coming (Qur’an, Surah 43:61) Koran and New Testament disagree on whether or not Jesus claimed to be God (John 8:58; 10:30); Apostles claimed this as well (John 1:1-3; Colossians 2:9); contra: Qur’an 19:20, 24; 11

I. THE IMPORTANCE OF JESUS     A. The Jesus question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-16) 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.     B. The danger of false views of Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:1-4) 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.     C. The need to defend the true Jesus (1 Peter 3:15-16) II. THE REAL JESUS: BIBLICAL BASICS    A. Jesus’ unique deity         1. Jesus’ own words (Mark 2:1-10, 23-28; John 8:58)         2. Apostolic authority (Colossians 2:8-9) 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority    B. Jesus’ true humanity (John 1:14)    C. Jesus as the only Savior and Lord        1. Jesus’ words (John 14:1-6)        2. Apostolic authority (1 Timothy 2:5-6)     D. Jesus as the only basis for salvation by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Romans 5:8-10) III. THE JESUS OF THE NEW SPIRITUALITY (NEW AGE)       A. The New Age world view: pantheism (all is God) monism (all is one)       B. The New Age view of Jesus (see 1 John 4:1-6)            1. Enlightened master, guru, adept, yogi, swami            2. Jesus is separate from the impersonal “Christ Consciousness”            3. Jesus is not uniquely God in the flesh--one of many spiritual examples                (see Acts 4:12)            4. Jesus’ crucifixion not redemptive (see Colossians 1:22) 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8).            5. Jesus’ resurrection is not literal (see 1 Corinthians 15)            6. Jesus’ second coming is not personal and physical (see Acts 1:1-11)            7. The Bible is not the final authority on Jesus: other sources replace it               (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17)                a. Other supposedly historical documents (Gnostic, etc.)                b. Channeled material (A Course in Miracles)                c. Near-death experiences (Betty Eadie, Embraced by the Light)            8. Esoteric interpretation of Scripture: texts out of context as pretexts for                theological and spiritual error (see 2 Peter 3:15-16) V. DEFENDING THE REAL JESUS TODAY      A. Spiritual warfare and prayer (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-20)      B. Communicating the real Jesus to those who are confused          (1 Corinthians 8:5-6) We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.      C. Defending the reliability of the New Testament (Luke 1:1-4; 2 Peter 1:16)       D. Counting on the power of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4;           Ephesians 1:18-23)        VI. RESOURCES FOR DEFENDING THE BIBLICAL JESUS Books:  1.    Douglas Groothuis, Jesus in an Age of Controversy (Wipf and Stock, 2002), Confronting the New Age (InterVarsity, 1988), Deceived by the Light (Wipf

I am the resurrection and the life—Jesus Christ, John 11. I.    The Significance of the Resurrection of Jesus A.    Unique among religions of the world; one religion based on the resurrection of its divine founder B.    The resurrection in Jesus’ teaching: he promised it several times C.    Atonement requires resurrection Herein we see the organic connection between Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection. God’s raising Jesus from the dead is not only a ratification to us of the efficacy of Christ’s atoning death; it is a necessary consequence of it. For by his substitutionary death Christ fully satisfied divine justice. The penalty of death having been fully paid, Christ can no more remain dead than a criminal who has fully served his sentence can remain imprisoned. Punishment cannot justly continue; justice demands his release. Thus, Christ’s resurrection is both a necessary consequence and a ratification of his satisfaction of divine justice [Craig, William Lane. Atonement and the Death of Christ (p. 229). Baylor University Press. Kindle Edition.] II.    Theism and the Resurrection A.    Natural theology increases the probability of the resurrection B.    Argument for God from science and philosophy. See Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, chapters 9-19 III.    Are Miracles Credible? A.    What is a biblical miracle? 1.    Not a violation of natural law 2.    Supplementation of nature by divine agency B.    David Hume’s argument against miracles: In-principle argument: irrational to believe in miracles  1.    If it always more likely that a supposed miracles is really a misinterpreted natural event 2.    Response a.    General probability of miracles is low b.    Conditional probability (given theism) is another matter; consider NT reliability and natural theology c.    Miracles are not delusions of pre-scientific fools; they presuppose some knowledge of the natural workings of nature.  Moreover, if there ever were men who did not know the laws of nature at all they would have no idea of a miracle and feel no particular interest in one if it were performed before them. Nothing can seem extraordinary until you have discovered what is ordinary—C. S. Lewis, Miracles. IV.    Minimal Facts and Maximal Result: Resurrection A.    The minimal facts method: find undisputed facts from which to argue for a biblical claim (such as the resurrection) B.    Four minimal facts 1.    Death by crucifixion; no possibility of swooning2.    Burial in a known tomb 3.    The empty tomb; a necessary, but not sufficient condition for the resurrection; women Jews and Romans would have had a vested interest in producing dead body of Jesus, but we have no record of it. 4.    Postmortem appearances of Jesus  a.    In the Gospels, women see Jesus first; unexpected, given low status of women’s testimony at that time b.    Paul’s early witness (I Cor. 15:3-8) C.    Other well-established facts 1.    Transformation of the disciples 2.    The early worship of Jesus by monotheistic Jews (Larry Hurtado) 3.    Circumstantial evidence (part of historical reasoning) a.    Baptism presupposed resurrection (Romans 6:4-5). b.    Lord’s supper or Eucharist (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) V.    Alternative Naturalistic Theories A.    Need several different naturalistic theories to cover all the known facts. B.    No good naturalistic explanations for four minimal facts. C.    Disciples had neither the means nor the motive to steal the body. D.    The Jewish establishment and Roman government would not take the body, leave the tomb empty and let the story of Jesus’ resurrection become popular because they conspired to crucify Jesus. E.    Hallucination theory 1.    Too many appearances for hallucinations 2.    Hallucinations are not group a phenomena.  VI.    Jesus Christ is Risen Indeed! A.    13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God—2 Cor. 4:13-15. B.    Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain—I Cor. 15:58. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com</

He alone had to produce a great people, elect, holy and chosen, lead them, feed them, bring them into the place of rest and holiness, make them holy for God, make them the temple of God, reconcile them to God, save them from God’s anger, redeem them from the bondage of sin which visibly reigns in man, give laws to his people, write these laws in their hearts, offer himself to God for them, sacrifice himself for them, be a spotless sacrifice, and himself the sacrificer, having himself to offer up his body and blood, and yet offer up bread and wine to God (608/766). Blaise Pascal, Pensées. I.    Controversy over Jesus A.    Christ the controversialist (John Stott) B.    Who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16:13-16) II.    New Testament Record A.    Most reliable reports B.    Good to read the stories, but we will select certain aspects of his life and teaching. III.    Master Teacher and Philosopher A.    Taught all manner of people in different situations. Was creative and responsive.  B.    Used philosophy, parables, prophecy, questions, condemnation IV.    Jesus’ Worldview (see also Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus) A.    God and his Kingdom: “Repent, the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 4:17)B.    Humanity 1.    Created (Matthew 19:4-6) 2.    Fallen (Mark 7:20-23) C.    Ethics: Greatest commandment: Love God with all your being and your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39) Extraordinary ethics of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) 1.    Don’t sin in your heart with anger (murder) or lust (adultery)2.    Love your enemies3.    Pray for those who hurt you4.    Go the second mile5.    Turn the other cheek D.    Salvation found in him (Matthew 11:27-28; John 6:28-29; 14:6; Acts 4:12) V.    Miracle Worker A.    Over nature: calmed storm, walked on water, cursed the fig tree B.    Over sickness: blindness, insanity, leprosy, crippling diseases, flow of blood C.    Over death itself: raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11) D.    Purpose: Demonstrate the Kingdom of God has come with new power and urgency (Matthew 12:28) VI.    Exorcist: Demon Duster A.    More demonic activity seen in Gospels than any other books of Bible B.    Jesus exposed the demonic realm; they feared him, talked to him, and he overcame them with a word (Matthew 12:28-29). VII.    Man of Compassion A.    Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots (Luke 23) B.    Touched lepers, ate with the down and out “sinners” and up and out (Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-10) VIII.    Jesus’ Authority A.    Never admitted fault, but was not arrogant or a bully B.    Judge of history (Matthew 7; 25:31-46) C.    Had all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18-20) IX.    Christhood A.    The meaning of the title: the uniquely anointed one B.    Not a state of consciousness (New Age idea) or a proper name, but a title fit only for Jesus X.    Uniqueness and Supremacy A.    Jesus’ unique knowledge of God (Matthew 11:27) B.    Mediator (John 14:6; 1 Tim 2:15) C.    Jesus was God himself (Mark 2; John 8:58); the Incarnation. XI.    Other Testimony about Jesus Christ A.    Paul: the divine servant (Philippians 2:5-11) B.    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:1-5; see also 14, 18). XII.    Jesus and Other Religious Leaders. See Ken Samples, God Among Sages: Why Jesus is not Just Another Religious Leader (Baker, 2017) A.    Sages: Buddha, Lao Tze, Mahavira, Confucius. Jesus was a sage, but more than a sage. B.    Avatars: Hinduism. Jesus was nothing like an Avatar, but an historical figure. C.    True biblical prophets: Isaiah, Malachi, etc. Jesus was a prophet, but also the divine Messiah. D.    Other prophets: Zoroaster, Mohammad, Joseph Smith. Jesus was a true prophet and divine Messiah. E.    Contemporary gurus: these are imposters. Jesus was who he said he was and stands alone as Lord. Other Resources 1.    Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus (Wadsworth, 2003).2.    Douglas Groothuis, Jesus in an Age of Controversy (Harvest House, 1996).3.    Douglas Groothuis, Christian Ap

I.    The Death of Christ  A.    Active work of Christ in obeying the law without sin through the Holy Spirit. Giving God the honor due him on our behalf B.    Passive work of Christ on the Cross, taking our punishment, paying our debt C.    Atonement: to cleanse, make right, and restore (Isaiah 53:4-6) Surely he took up our pain    and bore our suffering,yet we considered him punished by God,    stricken by him, and afflicted.5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,    he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was on him,    and by his wounds we are healed.6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,    each of us has turned to our own way;and the LORD has laid on him    the iniquity of us all. Substitution (vicariousness) 1.    Propitiation: shrine (Romans 3:25; 1 John 4:10) 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus (Romans 3:23-26, KJV).a.    Made by God for God and for us b.    Enmity or alienation between God and us taken away through the work of Christ c.    Jesus pays our debt (Luke 7) d.    Jesus Bears our sins and takes our punishment 2.    Expiation: disinfects us of results of sin, our uncleanliness is taken away: the cleansing bath “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29) 3.    Redemption: marketplace (Galatians 3:13-15) 4.    Justification: courtroom (Romans 5:1-2) 5.    Christus victor (Col. 2:14; 1 John 3:8) II.    Applying the Atonement A.    Come to Christ for atonement and new life (John 3:16-18) B.    Tell the world about his amazing atonement (Matthew 28:18-20) Bibliography 1.    William Lane Craig, Atonement and the Death of Christ (Baylor, 2020).2.    Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed. (InterVarsity-Academic, 2022).3.    John Stott, The Cross of Christ (InterVarsity, 1986). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

To learn more about Dr. Groothuis, visit: https://douglasgroothuis.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.