Episode Summary:
In this final bonus episode of Jesus and Jet Lag, Matthew Doebler and Mike Hartman explore the theme of Apologetics through Paul’s defense before King Agrippa in Acts 26. While Paul is technically on trial, the hosts discuss how he flips the script—using the opportunity not just to defend himself (apologia), but to empathize with his audience and preach the Resurrection. From the “stone in the shoe” approach to the power of community “plausibility structures,” this episode covers how to remove barriers so that the gospel can be heard.
Key Topics Discussed:
* Apologetics Defined: Understanding apologia as a “defense” using reason to attest to the truthfulness of the faith when problems or objections arise.
* Paul’s “True and Reasonable” Faith: How Paul appeals to public, historical facts (”not done in a corner”) rather than private, secret revelations.
* The Power of Testimony: Paul’s model for sharing faith: empathizing with the listener’s struggle (”I was just like you”) and pointing clearly to Jesus, rather than making oneself the hero.
* Continuity of the Mission: How Paul’s speech links back to Isaiah 42 and Acts 1:8, showing that the church’s mission is the continuation of what Jesus began to do and teach.
* Plausibility Structures: The role of the Christian community in surrounding non-Christians with Christians in loving community.
* The “Stone in the Shoe”: Using apologetics not to “win” arguments, but to place a small pebble of truth in someone’s mind that bothers them enough to investigate further.
Resources & People Mentioned:
* Sam Chan: Australian author of “How to Talk about Jesus (Without Being That Guy): Personal Evangelism in a Skeptical World”
* Ken Ham: Creation Museum.
* Glen Scrivener: Australian author of “3 2 1: The Story of God, the World and You”
Common Terms and Links on Jesus and Jetlag
* WELS = Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (wels.net)
* WLS = Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon Wisconsin (wisluthsem.org)
* Collection of Confessional Lutheran Essays
* BWM = WELS Board for World Missions
* CELC = Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference
* CICR = Commission on Inter-Church Relations of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
* Vicar = a pastoral intern in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran system
* Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly (WLQ) - A theological journal, published by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, that aims to serve pastors and theologians with scholarly articles, book reviews, and reflections on contemporary theological and pastoral concerns.
* Pastoral Studies Institute of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
All commentary, statements, and discussion on this podcast reflect the knowledge, insight, and experience solely of the individuals presenting and featured on the podcast.
