About Me
Me surfing
Thank you for visiting my website. My name is Brendan Larsen and I'm from New Zealand. I'm into surfing and enjoy getting out and experiencing the beauty of God's Creation.
My qualifications are:
I've been a Christian for most of my life. I grew up going to church from the age of about 5 after my mum became a Christian, and when I was 13 I gave my life to Jesus at a church youth camp.
A major turning point in my life happened when I was 18 and I experienced God's presence in a powerful way during a church service. Since that time I've had my ups and downs in my faith but I've experienced God's presence many times in my life, and have seen God answer prayers and bless me. I've also had many difficult circumstances to deal with, but through it all I continue to trust in God and His goodness. The experiences I've had with the power of the Holy Spirit and the relationship I have with God through Jesus Christ are very real, although the experiences are not the foundation of my faith - God's Word is. Why am I a Christian? Because I know that God exists, God's Word is true, and that you can't get truth without God.
Towards the latter part of 2013 God opened my eyes to Presuppositional Apologetics through the teaching of Jason Lisle, Sye Ten Bruggencate, and Greg Bahnsen. This biblical apologetic has given me a greater love for the truth of God's Word, and a stronger faith. It has also enabled me to realise the bankruptcy of much of modern secular philosophy and the modern educational system which pretends to be neutral but in fact is not neutral at all.
My qualifications are:
- Theology Degree
- Certificate in Pastoral Therapy
- Certificate in Evangelism
- Certificate in Christian Ministry
- Certificate in Mastering Logical Fallacies
I've been a Christian for most of my life. I grew up going to church from the age of about 5 after my mum became a Christian, and when I was 13 I gave my life to Jesus at a church youth camp.
A major turning point in my life happened when I was 18 and I experienced God's presence in a powerful way during a church service. Since that time I've had my ups and downs in my faith but I've experienced God's presence many times in my life, and have seen God answer prayers and bless me. I've also had many difficult circumstances to deal with, but through it all I continue to trust in God and His goodness. The experiences I've had with the power of the Holy Spirit and the relationship I have with God through Jesus Christ are very real, although the experiences are not the foundation of my faith - God's Word is. Why am I a Christian? Because I know that God exists, God's Word is true, and that you can't get truth without God.
Towards the latter part of 2013 God opened my eyes to Presuppositional Apologetics through the teaching of Jason Lisle, Sye Ten Bruggencate, and Greg Bahnsen. This biblical apologetic has given me a greater love for the truth of God's Word, and a stronger faith. It has also enabled me to realise the bankruptcy of much of modern secular philosophy and the modern educational system which pretends to be neutral but in fact is not neutral at all.
What do you believe?
I am an evangelical Christian and believe all of the main essential orthodox doctrines of Christianity. I believe in:
- The Word of God - the Bible is God's infallible word and inerrant (as revealed in the original manuscripts).
- Sola Scriptura - The Bible alone is our final authority.
- The Trinity - God is one in essence but is three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- The Deity of Christ - Jesus Christ is fully God.
- Salvation by Grace - Salvation is by grace alone through faith in Christ alone - not by works. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Good works - these are evidence of true faith, but flow out of gratitude that we are already saved.
- The Church - the church is made up of all true believers worldwide.
- Biblical Creation - a literal Genesis is the clear teaching of Scripture and foundational for biblical authority.
- The Word of God - the Bible is God's infallible word and inerrant (as revealed in the original manuscripts).
- Sola Scriptura - The Bible alone is our final authority.
- The Trinity - God is one in essence but is three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- The Deity of Christ - Jesus Christ is fully God.
- Salvation by Grace - Salvation is by grace alone through faith in Christ alone - not by works. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Good works - these are evidence of true faith, but flow out of gratitude that we are already saved.
- The Church - the church is made up of all true believers worldwide.
- Biblical Creation - a literal Genesis is the clear teaching of Scripture and foundational for biblical authority.
2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"
Of course we must correctly interpret the Bible, which on some topics (such as some things related to the 'End Times') can be challenging and is open to interpretation on minor issues. However, the Bible is clear on many things such as the things I've mentioned in the Definition page about God. It is also clear in the Bible that sin separates us from God, and that we all must repent and trust in Jesus in order to be made right with God. (See my FAQ page for more on how to know God).
Going to a good Bible believing Church is a good thing, but that is not what saves us - salvation is a gift from God. When Christians meet with other Bible believing Christians to study the Bible, pray and worship God, as well as to encourage and help each other, that is what Church is all about.
When there is a contradiction in our beliefs it is telling us that we are believing lies because if beliefs contradict themselves it is impossible for both of those beliefs to be true. The way to resolve these contradictions is by repentance and seeking the truth.
Of course we must correctly interpret the Bible, which on some topics (such as some things related to the 'End Times') can be challenging and is open to interpretation on minor issues. However, the Bible is clear on many things such as the things I've mentioned in the Definition page about God. It is also clear in the Bible that sin separates us from God, and that we all must repent and trust in Jesus in order to be made right with God. (See my FAQ page for more on how to know God).
Going to a good Bible believing Church is a good thing, but that is not what saves us - salvation is a gift from God. When Christians meet with other Bible believing Christians to study the Bible, pray and worship God, as well as to encourage and help each other, that is what Church is all about.
When there is a contradiction in our beliefs it is telling us that we are believing lies because if beliefs contradict themselves it is impossible for both of those beliefs to be true. The way to resolve these contradictions is by repentance and seeking the truth.
What is Presuppositional Apologetics? (This is the approach that I use)
- Presuppositional - dealing with what we presuppose - our pre-beliefs (e.g. that our senses and reasoning are basically reliable)
- Apologetics - giving a reasoned defense of the Christian faith (1 Peter 3:15)
For a clear explanation of this biblical apologetic see this video by Mark Spence:
Recommended Reading
The Bible; Ultimate Proof (Jason Lisle); Pushing the Antithesis (Greg Bahnsen / Gary DeMar); Always Ready (Greg Bahnsen)
Recommended Videos
- Dr Greg Bahnsen - The Great Debate - Bahnsen vs Stein
- Sye Ten Bruggencate - How to Answer the Fool, Reformation Montana Conference 2014, Proving the God of the Bible, The Authority of the Great Commission, The Refining Reason Debate.
- Jason Lisle - Ultimate Proof of Creation
This is from Jason Lisle's video 'Ultimate Proof of Creation'.