Sometimes I get accused of being too relational. visionary and wordy, even esoteric. While that may be true, it’s certainly not the only way i approach the Gospel. In fact, i think there are very concise and logical ways to see the matter of following Jesus.
Thankfully, for intellectual midgets like me, there are giants whose shoulders we can sit on. The late Norman Geisler, PhD is just such a giant. He applies an analytic approach using facts to put the question of truths and spiritual authority this succinctly:
1) Truth about reality is knowable
2) The opposite of true is false
3) It is true that a theistic God exists
4) If God exists then miracles are possible
5) A miracle confirms a message from God
6) The New Testament is historically reliable
7) The New Testament says Jesus claimed to be God
8) Jesus’ claim to be God was miraculously confirmed
9) Jesus is God
10) Whatever Jesus teaches is true
11) Jesus taught that the Bible is the Word of God
12) Therefore, the Bible is the Word of God
While there are other Biblical truths that lead to the same conclusion, i like simplicity. I’ll simply add a 13th point, which is this:
13) Since Jesus is God and gave us the Bible as the Word of God, it makes it imperative to follow Him, learn His Word and do what it says.
Now, the fact is that these truths are spiritually appraised. As plain as they are, the natural (fleshly mortal) mind will not accept the. If you are not a spiritually reborn follower of Jesus yet, these ideas probably offend you. Good. The Gospel is meant to offend your flesh, so that your Spirit may come alive. You see, Jesus said you have to be a doer of the truth before you can truly grasp the reality of the truth.
These truths can also be illustrated and supported by analysis and study of both extant source documents as well as by scientific archaeology, anthropology and period commentaries. Analytics, the science of analysis of factual data, can be very appealing to those who don’t know the amazing story of Jesus’ ministry
Since countless millions of people’s lives have been changed forever by understanding these truths, it makes it even more essential to take them seriously. Because the Bible tells us that God is calling all people everywhere to repent (humbly turn to Him) and be saved from the wrath to come. That is an invitation to all, but especially to my logically minded friends.
Our twelve part podcast series, “The Jesus Adventure, about following the call of Jesus is available here. Explore our in depth study of the spirituality training system of Jesus of Nazareth.