Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines “worship” as showing honor or reverence for a divine being or supernatural power, and/or to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion. Worship is something we all do. Whether we give our respect, honor, and devotion to God, money, human accolades, Allah, or the 300+ million gods of Hinduism, we all give our lives and hearts to something or someone.
This universal desire to worship was documented by former atheist, now Christian apologist J. Warner Wallace, in his article, Celebrate Christmas with Your Kids, Because They Already Believe in God. Per Wallace’s article, “Children are more likely to believe in God than not but can be persuaded otherwise over time.” Here are two quotes Mr. Wallace shared in his piece emphasizing our God-given design to revere our Creator:
Olivera Petrovich, an Oxford University psychologist, surveyed several international studies of children aged four to seven and found that the belief in God as a “creator” is “hardwired” in children and that “atheism is definitely an acquired position.”
Paul Bloom, a professor of psychology and director of the Mind and Development Lab at Yale University, writes, “The universal themes of religion are not learned… They are part of human nature… Creationism—and belief in God—is bred in the bone.”
It’s this knowledge that something does not come from nothing, and that design denotes a transcendent Designer which points us to the logical conclusion that a Creator exists! And we know that He is good because we recognize this world was made for us… We not only have oxygen from the plants, but we also have shade and sustenance from them as well. Like a parent who designs a nursery for their soon-to-be-born child, God designed everything here for us to thrive. And He gives us the intellectual ability (soul — mind, will, and emotions) through our bodies (brain) to process all of this. We are human, body and soul, created by God in love, for love. With purpos,e for His purposes.
“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” Paul (Romans 1:19-23; ~A.D. 56).
So, whether it’s atheism, Christianity, Islam, New Age Beliefs, Hinduism, etc. (any worldview), we all hold fast to (place our confidence in) what or who we worship. What we cling to, intellectually and/or emotionally is what ultimately rules our hearts. And what rules our hearts — commands our hope. Succinctly stated, what we hold fast to matters!
Therefore, what is defining truth for us? And are we even wanting truth (or are we wanting what’s helpful and comfortable)? This is why this blog exists!
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
Hold Fast
There are numerous blogs, books, TED Talks, and TikToks vying for our attention and worship in today’s society. This reinforces, all the more, why we need to be “rooted and grounded” in God’s Word (Colossians 3) — ready to “take captive” a thought, a sound-bite, or a video clip which presents a truth claim contrary to Scripture. “Destroying” these arguments (not people) requires love, patience, and commitment to fervent study and respectful dialogue.
And we are not alone in this work!
Not only do we have a community of brothers and sisters-in-Christ co-laboring alongside us, but we have the Holy Spirit teaching us through the Scriptures! God has given us the Scriptures to instruct and encourage us (Roman’s 15:4) — 66 books written over 1,500 years, in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), on three different continents (Africa, Europe, and Asia), by more than 40 writers to help answer the deepest questions we have (e.g., how we got here, who God is, why we are so broken, and how God came to save us), as well as to be our straightedge in times of difficulty.
“But test everything; hold fast what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” 1 Corinthians 10:5
The Judge of every soul was judged on our behalf (Isaiah 53:5-6; Jn 5). The good Shepherd willingly laid his life down for his sheep (Jn 10; Matt 26:24). The Author of life defeated death (Acts 3:15; 1 Cor 15). His righteous work — as a substitute for our sin-stained works (2 Cor 5:21). All of this was planned! It was Jesus’ mission!
Friends, this good news God has given humanity is not a myth… It took place in real time and space (AD 33). It can be examined, historically. And it has tremendous purpose — our Salvation! What God has done for us is the greatest act of love humanity has ever witnessed! It was not deserved. Nor can it be earned. It is a free gift of God to us (Eph 2:1-9). We know this because we hold fast to what God has told us. God holds fast to us as He helps us hold fast to truth.
Who is the Author of Hold Fast?
My name is Meridith Black. I was a Speech-Language Pathologist for nearly 20 years, I began educating our 3 children full-time in 2015 and have cherished every gifted moment…even the challenges. But no matter what is before me each day, what is interwoven into every aspect of daily life (as a wife, via motherhood, teaching, friendship, fitness, etc) is Christian Apologetics.
“Apologetics” is a term built upon the Greek word apologia, which refers to making a rational defense for one’s case. For Christians, apologetics means that we should “always be prepared to share a reason for the hope that I/we have with g̲e͟n͟t͟l͟e͟n͟e͟s͟s and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). It’s a grace-driven journey that began in 1999, and is the most important thing I could do. And it is why this blog exists! If you are interested, I also share posts on Substack.
In His Love,
Meridith
#solideogloria
What is the Gospel?
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,”
2 Corinthians 5:15 “and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”
Who is Jesus?
Romans 10:9-10 “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
Mark 14:62-64 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death.” *Jesus claimed to be God
Evidence for the Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:1-8 “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”
Trust the Bible
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
🎞️ Video Playlist Regarding Reliability, Sufficiency, Relevancy, and Cannon Compilation
The Essentials
(Christian Doctrine)
2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
Hold Fast Apologetics 