Defeater Beliefs

Most cultures, especially post-modern people in America have defeater beliefs about Christianity. According to Tim Keller, a defeater belief holds to a set of 'common-sense' beliefs that automatically make Christianity seem implausible to people. Some of these include: "Christianity cannot be true because it claims there is only one way to God, and everyone knows there cannot only be one way to God;" another, "Christianity cannot be true because it claims there is a good God, but everyone knows that a good God wouldn't allow the suffering we see in the world;" another, "Christianity cannot be true because the church has been responsible for so much injustice;" another, "Christianity cannot be true because it teaches that a loving God sends people to hell;" another, "Christianity cannot be true because we all know that science has disproved the Bible;" another, "Christianity cannot be true because we all know you can't really trust the Bible. It is archaic and cruel."

It is very important to know the defeater beliefs in your own culture. Why? Not so that you can make more converts, but rather because you help people understand there own worldview and the presuppositions within that worldview don't really hold water. By showing the worldview of Christianity is plausible, you will knock down the walls that keep people from hearing the gospel. Once a person sees the value of a Christian worldview, they are more open to listen to the message of Christianity.

In all this, we are not called to be angry and arrogant debaters, but rather, we are called to be filled with two things. One, we should be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Two, we should be filled with the message of the gospel. However, these should be joined with a responsible knowledge of our culture. Everywhere we see the apostle Paul going in Scripture, he takes the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit accompanied with an exegesis of the people. As he approaches different cultures and worldviews, he adapts his message to confront each defeater belief.