...E Leo Whitworth Jr. Dr. C Fred Smith Apologetics 500-D01-LUO April 1, 2015 * What do you think is the best apologetic method and defend your view. * The relationship between faith and reason * A comparison between the evidentialist, presuppositionalist, and experimentalist strategies. In my view, the best argument in apologetics is the evidentialist method. This method argues that the most significant historical events in Christianity- particular the resurrection of Jesus are matters that can be established through proper historical argumentation, even apart from any prior arguments for the existence of God. Instead of trying to prove the existence of God through some form of rational proof, the evidentialist attempts to prove the existence of God through the truth of scripture and then using that truth to prove the existence and nature of God. To do this the evidentialist has to successfully defend his understanding of past events and his interpretation of texts and historical theories and ideology. The evidentialist also assumes a shared view of experiences, scientific theories, and the general rules of logic when engaging a skeptic, and there has to be some shared study and common ground of the nature and philosophy with the unbeliever to have a meaningful discussion. One of the advantages of being an evidentialist you can argue both for theism and for Christian theism at the same time without recourse to an elaborate natural theology. For instance...
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...EVIDENTIAL APOLOGETICS Michael V. Galarneau Jr. Introduction to Apologetics APOL 500 September 9, 2012 Contents Introduction 1 Summary of Evidential Apologetics 1 Critique of Evidential Apologetics 2 Proponents of Evidential Apologetics 3 Conclusion 3 Bibliography 4 Introduction Apologetics has a long history within Christianity. The term, itself, comes from the Greek word apologia which is found in 1 Peter 3:15 giving apologetics a biblical origin. Peter’s call for believers to “make a defense (apologia)” is the heart of Christian Apologetics. The idea is that, in the face of unbelief and persecution, Christians need to be ready to defend or argue for their belief in Christ. Put a little more plainly, apologetics is “defending Christianity in the context of an unbelieving and skeptical world.” Apologetics comes in many forms or styles that can by generally categorized as one of two differing styles: positive apologetics (“presents the truth of Christ”) or polemics (“proclaims the errors of all other systems”). Within the two styles of apologetics, there are many different approaches to or uses of them. This paper will focus on just one of the many Apologetic Methods: Evidentialism, with the purpose of providing an analysis of the evidential approach to apologetics. Summary of Evidential Apologetics Evidential Apologetics is a form of positive apologetics that is actually a sub-genre of the Classical...
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...According to Groothuis, various apologetic systems have proved useful, even though the best apologetic method must squarely face its limits. Even though a thorough and wide ranging apologetic is surely needed today, apologetics is bounded by at least three realities. [1] First, the Bible is a long, ancient and sometimes perplexing book for contemporary people. Defending what the Bible teaches is not a simple task and it certainly does not admit of a formula. We should realize that all our intellectual endeavors, especially those dealing with the broadest and deepest questions of life’s meaning, will be dogged to some degree by misunderstand, ignorance and intellectual disappointment. To hold that the Christian worldview is the best rational explanation for the things that matter most does not imply that we have a lock on all the best arguments or have attained all the truths we need. [2] Second, apologetics is limited not only by the difficulty of the subject itself, but by the weaknesses of the subjects who practice it which is us. We commend and defend Christianity through our speech, our writing and our demeanor. If we fall short as apologists, this does not mean that Christianity is untrue or irrational, or that all our efforts are vain. Our job is to faithfully give the best arguments possible from the purest heart possible. [3] Then lastly, apologetics must be understood within the framework of God’s secret councils. God often does not tell us how or why he...
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...APOLOGETIC METHODS Growing up in a large African American Baptist Church over the past 40 plus years with the past 30 plus years proactively engaged in the attempt of pastors & ministers trying to bridge and mesh this gap that has long existed in our places of worship for various reasons. This gap is the intellectual knowledge of the reasoning and faith. Being that faith and reason are two modes of belief, to explain the relationship of the two one must first explain exactly what reason and faith are. Reason is generally a methodical belief that is gained by utilization of intellectual, moral, or religious principles or evidence. Faith, on the other hand, is belief that is generally a willed attitude of trust motivated by inspiration by a divine authority or revelation. Hence, Reason is more so a demonstrated belief, whereas faith is more so a do-able belief. In our ancestry past, due to lack of access (opportunity) to the faith experience was more of a heart ( do- able ) belief instead of a head ( demonstrated) belief, which was not all wrong , but was not all right neither. Groothuis states ,”Biblically understood, conversion is a radical turn away from sin, selfishness and Satan, and a turn toward God and his kingdom. This incorporates the whole person, not merely the intellect….. Therefore, conversion is necessarily intellectual and involves cognitive assent to propositions taken to be objectively true. “ ( Groothuis, 2011). Basically speaking there is much power...
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...Secularism and Christian Apologetics When I consider the reasons I returned to school and the chain of events that precipitated this dramatic life altering change, I know in my heart it is God guiding my steps. I am only a student, a late in life student, but I hope in some way I can be of some help perhaps through education a chance in some unknown infinitesimal way of helping to restore our country to some semblance of the moral clarity this nation was founded on. The Secular left is arguably responsible for the loss of our moral compass, today’s society is devoid of character, strength of integrity, honesty, piety, and respect for fellow man. While I am just a student, for me to be able to learn about a way (Apologetics) to help defend Christianity and as a result of my studies perhaps defend my country and my God, it is quite an honor that I hold dearly. I think this is summed up best by one of history’s early recognitions of our nation when described by the French Ambassador, Alexis de Tocqueville, as observed in Democracy in America; I do not know whether all Americans have a sincere faith in their religion, for who can read the human heart? But I am certain that they hold it to be indispensible to the maintenance of republican institutions. This opinion is not peculiar to a class of citizens or to a party, but it belongs to the whole nation and to every rank of society (Tocqueville). I pray we can become closer to this ideal once again. Secularism it is commonly...
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...C. S. Lewis once said, “God is not the sort of thing that one can be moderately interested in.” This implies that if God exists humanity ought to find the best way to relate with Him and if God does not exist then there is no need to be interested in God at all. Most theist and atheist philosopher like Camus and Sartre agree that the answer to the question of whether God exists makes a huge difference for man. For example, if there is no God then life ends in death, and therefore our existence is inconsequential. On the other hand, if there is a God, then there a chance/possibility of knowing and relating with Him as part of His creation. This paper therefore seeks to provide reasons that assert the claim that God exists in addition to responding to the popular atheistic theory of theodicy which claims that the problem of evil proves that God does not exist and if He does then He is not good and omnipotent. One of the arguments that theists use to prove the existence of God is the one of the origin of the universe. It relies on the widely popular assertion that the there was a time when the earth was not there. For centuries, human beings have seen themselves faced with the question of why we have everything instead of nothing. Atheists claim that the universe we live in is eternal with no beginning or end and that is all. Surely, that claim is not reasonable. If there is beginning point for the universe then the actual number of events that occurred in the past is infinite...
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...Apologetics A couple of months ago, being pretty ignorant, I had to ask myself, “what exactly is Apologetics.” After a little research and a few lectures from my Professors, I learned that “it is the defense of Christian faith, usually on intellectual issues.” (Horton 640). There are many arguments that can be used in order to defend the faith, however, I will focus on four arguments, ontological, Natural Theology, accuracy of scriptures, and personal miracles. First is the ontological argument. “Human beings almost universally acknowledge that there is something, or someone, beyond themselves and that in some way, or ways, they are responsible to that something or someone (Railey/Aker 40).” This shows that the human race recognizes the fact that we are not alone in the universe and we are to some extent dependent on something supernatural. Secondly is the appeal of Natural Theology. We can look all around at the beautiful things on this earth and we can see that it must have had divine intervention from some one or thing. “Creation, with its infinite variety, beauty, and order, reflects a God who is infinitely wise and powerful.” (Higgins 69). Thirdly is accuracy of scriptures. “The Bible is internally consistent even though it was written over a period of some 1,500 years, about 1450 bce to 100 ce, over 40 generations by more than 40 different authors.” (Marino bibliology 4.1.1.3.) “Discovery after discovery has established the accuracy of innumerable details, and has...
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...1. What are some ways the Christian gospel is perceived in our culture? Christian gospel in many ways is perceived in this day and age are a lost word. People have the art of praying and staying faithful to the word of God. God provided us with all kinds of blessings and opportunities in life so that we can flourish and prosper. Also God took all our sin to the cross and forgave us for everything we done that was not right in his eyes. We need to also understand that there is only one God and we need to cherish it every day of our lives. Today’s culture perceives the Gospel almost the same was as old days but how man tries to rewrite the word to fits our society today, people believe that s God except so of things that are going on today in this world i.e. same sex marriages, etc. but the word doesn’t say that is right and in God’s eye it’s a sin. Believe me I don’t judge I’m am far from a saint but we have to get back into reading and understanding the message of the gospel and live it. 2. What are some specific moral reasons people may reject the Christian gospel? People reject the gospel because they don’t understand what it means. I was one of those people that thought man created all this, that I was the one that got promotions or raises since I work so hard to get it. But all along GOD and his word proved to me that it was already planned. We also reject the gospel because it tells the truth about life and we sometimes can’t accept the truth. Then others don’t believe...
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...University Apologetics An apology, as the term is used here, is not saying "I'm sorry." Rather, it means a ready defense; "offered in defense or vindication, especially of the divine origin and authority of Christianity." Thus an apology is a defense of what you believe to be true. An apologist is a person who makes the defense. And apologetics is a "systematic argumentative discourse in defense." (All quotes in this paragraph taken from Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary. The reason I should defend my faith as First Peter 3:15 says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." When non-Christians ask tough questions about the Christian faith, I will be able to give a solid and logical response. If not, there is an opportunity lost to spread God's Word. Worse, the Christian who has a weak foundation for his faith can be easily shaken by the doubts of non-believers. Though not everything in the Bible can be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, there is far more proof than most people Christian or non-Christian are aware of. As apologists for my faith, it is my job to line up the available evidence, base my decisions upon it, and present the evidence to others to help give them an intelligent foundation for their decisions. "An intelligent Christian ought to be able to point up the flaws in a non-Christian position and to present facts and arguments which tell in favor of the gospel. If our apologetic prevents...
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...Apologetics in Christian Theology Part One: A world view is a fundamental cognitive orientation of a society or an individual that encompasses the entire breadth of the society or individual's knowledge and point-of-view. This can include natural philosophy, theories of fundamental, existential or normative philosophy or an elaboration of the themes, emotions, values and ethics of that person or society (" Secularism," 2004). Part Two: Articulate the biblical/Christian Worldview (what is believed) First of all, we must define which Christian world view we have. Christianity is a combination of different sects. However, the particular evangelical world view of this author is best represented by the tradition that we have received through the aegis of Martin Luther who advocated a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an emphasis upon salvation history to elaborate upon this (MacKenzie). In the personal experience of this author, this evangelical viewpoint was chosen due to its connection with Jesus as a man and his place in history. This history is our salvation history, which stretches back in the eons into our sister faith of Judaism back to Genesis. Due to the failure of the Roman Catholic Church and the scholastic movement under Thomas Aquinas and other Christian greats of the Middle Ages, more was needed than simply an argument from the beauty and order of the cosmos for a first cause or God ("Scholasticism," 2009) . Rather, faith had to be based upon reason...
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...As I explain in my conversion testimony, I was saved at a young age in my church’s children’s department. I was somewhat of an unruly kid. I didn’t want to pay attention and I did not want to be there. I’m not really sure how much of the gospel I believed before then. Many of the teachers for the children’s Sunday School probably did not look forward to having me in their class and I spent a lot of time sitting with my parents after getting thrown out of class. That all changed when I met Margie. Margie was probably in her sixties and was very straight forward and matter-of-fact. She began to challenge me with questions about what I believed and what it meant to be a sinner. Because she was willing to get her “hands dirty” I began to attend Sunday School with anticipation and questions of my own. Her patience with me and answers to my questions eventually led to me giving my life to Christ. It was probably the reason I am drawn to Bible teaching to this day. McRaney states that evangelism is not unlike the agricultural process of planting seeds, watering, fertilizing, and harvesting. We may be asked by God to participate in different stages of this process for different people. Servant evangelism can be thought of as the planting seeds stage. According to McRaney, “We plant seeds by loving people toward Jesus with small acts of kindness in the name of Jesus.” This is what servant evangelism is. Jesus demonstrated being a servant in the Gospels when he washed the disciples’...
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...1. Apologetics- Being able to defend the faith. 1 Peter 3:15 Apologia-Greek word “defense’ 2. Atheism-The lack of belief in a god and/or the belief that there is no god. The position held by a person or persons that 'lack belief' in god(s) and/or deny that god(s) exist. 3. Circular argument- argument in which the conclusion of an argument is one of its premises; argument assuming something that would ordinarily not be assumed by someone who didn’t believe the conclusion 4. Coventalism- or Covenant theology; is an interpretive framework for understanding the overall flow of the Bible, focusing on the covenants God made. 5. Deduction-A system of logic, inference, and conclusion drawn from examination of 6. Dispensationalism-a method of interpreting the Bible that divides history into periods of time called “dispensations.” 7. Empiricism-The belief that real knowledge is only acquired through sense experience. 8. Epistemological Dualism-Knowledge consists of a mind that knows and ideas that are known. 9. Epistemology--The branch of philosophy that deals with knowing and the methods of obtaining knowledge. 10. Ethics-Study of right and wrong, good and bad, moral judgment, etc. 11. Evidential Apologetics-An apologetic approach emphasizing individual facts and arguments, including: archaeology, effects on society, historical evidences, miracles, prophecy, and the uniqueness of Christianity and/or Scripture. 12. Faith-Acceptance of ideals...
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...Quiz 1 Question 1 0 out of 3 points The following cannot be said of the Bible. Selected Answer: All of the above Question 2 3 out of 3 points Paul speaking on Mars Hill, as found in Acts 17, is an example of cultural apologetics. Selected Answer: True Question 3 3 out of 3 points In the 20th century most evangelicals spoke of culture from a “Christ above culture” perspective. Selected Answer: False Question 4 0 out of 3 points When Jesus healed the crazed man who lived in a graveyard near Decapolis the people of the city: Selected Answer: Refused to believe and did not go out to meet Him Question 5 3 out of 3 points Christianity is unique in its belief that humanity is hopeless and spiritual dead unable to save themselves through human effort. Selected Answer: True Question 6 3 out of 3 points Selected Answer: True All copies of the biblical manuscript are inspired just like the original manuscripts. Selected Answer: False Question 7 3 out of 3 points Because of the respect that people had for the Apostle Paul his message of Jesus Christ was accepted by almost everyone who heard him. Selected Answer: False Question 8 ...
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...There are numerous apologetic methods that are “on the market” today. So much so that entire books are written just on one particular method. However, I believe Groothius said it best when he stated “some apologists have spent as much time or more time attempting to refute their fellow apologists’ methods than they have in attempting to bring apologetics to the people who need it most: unbelievers and doubting followers of Jesus.” In the options given in our assigned reading this week I relate most with the worldview hypothesis method. I believe this method addresses the needs of the culture around us in order to lead people to genuinely find Jesus. All too often I have seen conversions that have occurred that were not deeply rooted in true change. Whether it was a great worship experience or any other type of experience that was the catalyst to conversion, neither of them seem to be deeply rooted and can be swayed very easily. Worldview hypothesis in my opinion presents more of a consumerist approach that can appeal to people. Let me explain what I mean because I know the word consumerist is a naughty word in the Christian world. The American culture has been engrained with a virtual buffet of choices when it comes to any aspect of our life. Think about it; careers, television, food, shopping, etc. In each of these areas, the person is presented with a smorgasbord or choices in which they weigh the pros and cons and make a decision. And let’s face it, it works. Why...
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...21201085 WENDY KARANI APOLOGETICS MIDTERM OPEN SOURCE PAPER. 1. What is Christian Apologetics and why should we do it Apologetics is defined as "reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine." It is to be specific with this class, a branch of Christianity that deals with the aspect of defending the Christian faith against those who care to attack us. Apologetics comes from the Greek word “apologia” or in Greek: ἀπολογία which when translated mean a “defense especially of one's opinions, position, or actions”. Apologetics is therefore in reference to Christianity is a field in which apologists provide rational arguments with adequate information in order to defend their faith against objects provided by members of the secular society....
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