How to Answer the Tough Questions
Single Da Vinci Preparation
Text: 2 Peter 1:2-8
I just finished Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code on Friday. I have to say, I understand why it’s considered one of the nations “best sellers”, a real page turner.
Brown captivates the reader within the first chapter with a mysterious murder at the world famous Louvre in France. The next 440 pages span a 24 hour period in which the hero, Robert Langdon and a French Police Cryptologist, Sophia Neveu dodge police, a mysterious secret society and the Catholic Church unsure exactly who is trying to frame them for the murder at the Louvre. All the while the couple is driven to uncover the secret of the Holy Grail.
As I said, for a mystery novel, it’s a real page turner. Brown has an incredible way of keeping the reader hanging on every word and soon you’re so consumed by the mystery and intrigue that some of the real stubbing blocks of faith seem to be more of a hiccup than a hurdle in the read.
One of the greatest dangers found in the Da Vinci Code is the alleged secrets held by the church, now being revealed by a (fictional) world renowned historian Leigh Teabing. What’s the danger? - Let me pose it this way….
98$ truth + 2% error may = embellishment
85% truth + 15% error may = “white lie”
75% truth + 25% error – you’re bordering outright lie
Brown (through the historian Teabing) presents about 5% +/- truth and 95% “fictional liberty”.
If the average reader does not have a firm foundation of Church history can you begin to see the reason for concern?
The Apostle Paul warns that during the tribulation…
2 Thessalonians 2:10-11
It’s so very true that if you don’t have a firm belief in something, you’ll fall for anything. Scripture calls this kind of person “double minded”, being “tossed around by every wind of doctrine”
Today, just like in the Apostles’ day, we must stand ready to answer some tough questions about our faith.
I’m not sure that there has ever been a day, since the formation of the first century church that faith in Jesus Christ has ever been under attack more than it is today.
Why is it important that you and I be able to defend faith? For starters, it’s a matter of obedience to the Word of God. Simply put, to refuse to give a reason for faith is disobedience to God and to His Word. If one could imagine to think that, even if there were no unbelievers to persuade we should still stand ready to give an account of our faith. It’s been said that “Faith educates reason and reason explores the treasure of the ’faith that, once for all, was delivered to the saints’”. (Jude 1:3)
How to answer the tough questions
1. Study to show yourself approved
Psalm 119:9-13
2 Timothy 2:15
2. Be ready to give an account of your faith
2 Timothy 4:2
Philemon 1:6
3. Develop boundaries regarding arguments
Colossians 2:8-9
1 Timothy 6:4
2 Corinthians 10:5
Psalm 1:1-3
4. Get the questions settled in your own heart
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Questions like:
• Does God truly exist and what is mankind’s response to Him.
• It there really a heaven and hell?
• How can a loving God send people to hell?
• Why do good/innocent people have to suffer and die?
• Is Jesus really the only way to heaven?
You and I need to be prepared to “give an account” and to “share” our faith in Christ.
Let me leave you with a couple of questions…
If not you, who? If not now, when?
