Apologetics? An Outline
What is Christian apologetics?
First what it is not! It is not the art of learning how to apologize for your faith!
It is not arguing over how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.
The English word, “apologetics,” comes from the Greek word, apologia, which means “to give a reason or defense” (1 Pet. 3:15). Christian apologetics is a field of Theology that not only explains what Christians believe but why they believe it. In other words a Christian apologist is not one who apologizes for the faith but gives a defense of the faith. The Greek word apologia means to “give a reply”.
Why engage in apologetics? The Bible tells us to!
Jude 3 - Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear
Apologetics is also called “pre-evangelism.” Is there anything you do before you evangelize?
Depending on the situation sometimes people choose to build a relationship first (people are rarely converted on the spot by a tract or sermon etc…) Seeds usually have to be planted and watered first.
You pray for a person who you want to see converted.
-Some help people with their physical needs in order to get their “foot in the door”
1 Peter 3:8-17 – Part of apologetics is living out your faith for all to see. Your life is an apologetic argument in and of itself! If you can answer every question and give a defense against every attack but you’re a jerk, little will be gained.
When engaging in apologetics we ought to recognize the importance of humility: 1 Cor. 8:1…Knowledge makes arrogant, (or it is “puffed up”) but love edifies.”
Back in the days of the early church Christians were demonized in the Roman Empire and all sorts of false accusations were made against them. Not only did Nero blame Christians for burning down the city in the 1st century Christians were maligned up until the 4th century.
Christians were accused of being:
Cannibals - Communion
Atheist – they rejected the Roman gods & goddesses - Polycarp – away with the atheist
Incest – brothers & sisters “in Christ”
What are some things Christians are accused of today?
-Hateful – gay marriage?
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We need to realize that people are where they are for a reason, and they believe what they believe for a reason. Some hate the faith and will not believe, others claim to have faith yet they distort it and others may have some sincere doubts
Jude 16-23 - We must make a distinction between those who doubt and others who are totally deceived
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There are different forms of apologetics with differing approaches – Theism vs atheism & Christianity vs other religions.
Classical Apologetics stresses rational arguments for the existence of God and attempts to prove that God exist through philosophical arguments, scientific arguments then and only then does it moves into the Scripture attempting to prove the scripture is accurate and true. Some oppose this form of apologetics claiming it to be unbiblical, not giving scripture its proper due.
Presuppositional Apologetics starts with the premise that God does exist, the Bible is true and then moves to demonstrate this. Some don’t like this approach since it starts with a premise that many (if not most) do not accept.
Note that the Bible in the very first verses of Genesis states the existence of God, it doesn’t attempt to prove or defend this statement it simply states it as a fact.
ROMANS 1:16-25 - All men know there is a God but they would rather worship the creature rather than the creator.
Wilmingtons Guide to the Bible - Prophecy
The Bible is defended – historical evidence, philosophical, scientific
Inerrancy & infallibility
Paul at Mars hill – Psalm 19 – Romans 1:20-
How you live your life, your conduct is an apologetic. Share the gospel with all whom you come into contact and if necessary use words… - St. Augustine?
Defense of miracles – if God exist miracles must exist since God Himself is supernatural. If you can prove God exist you prove miracles exist.
Blaise Pascal – “wager” – It posits that humans all bet with their lives either that God exists or that he does not. Based on the assumption that the stakes are infinite if God exists and that there is at least a small probability that God in fact exists, Pascal argues that a rational person should live as though God exists and seek to believe in God. If God does not actually exist, such a person will have only a finite loss (some pleasures, luxury, etc.), whereas they stand to receive infinite gains (as represented by eternity in Heaven) and avoid infinite losses (eternity in Hell.
Pascal claimed that you cannot really know one way or the other so what it comes down to is that it is that based upon what is at stake it is wise and prudent to believe and trust in God rather than to reject Him.
If there is a God, He is infinitely incomprehensible, since, having neither parts nor limits, He has no affinity to us. We are then incapable of knowing either what He is or if He is......."God is, or He is not." But to which side shall we incline? Reason can decide nothing here
He also said "Men despise religion; they hate it and fear it is true. To remedy this, we must begin by showing that religion is not contrary to reason; that it is venerable, to inspire respect for it; then we must make it lovable, to make good men hope it is true; finally, we must prove it is true
Justin Martyr – Christians – cannibalism – incest
Relativism
1. Cosmological argument – Argues that the existence of the universe demonstrates that God exists. Various primary arguments from cosmology and the nature of causation are often offered to support the cosmological argument.[47][48][49]
2. Teleological argument – Argues that there is a purposeful design in the world around us, and a design requires a designer.
3. Ontological argument – Argues that the very concept of God demands that there is an actual existent God. If you can think it, it must exist?
4. Moral Argument – Argues that there are objectively valid moral values, and therefore, there must be an absolute from which they are derived.[51]
Moral Argument – 4 Spiritual Laws (Jim?)
Evangelism
Atheism brought to its logical conclusion leads to absurdity
Scientific apologetics – The Bible will never contradict true science. Young Earth vs Old Earth – The Gap Theory Adam & Eve vs Evolution – Theistic Evolution & RCC
Denominational apologetics - Somebody you know is looking for a church, which one should they choose and why? What would you tell them, most decisions are made based upon the music, the building, the pastor, the people etc…. These things may be important but what a church teaches should be what matters most. A beautiful building, talented musicians, a wonderful pastor and congregation doesn’t save anyone. Only the Gospel saves –
-Apostate Christianity -Roman Catholic Church – Eastern Orthodox
-Liberal Churches – Episcopal Church, United Methodist, Lutheran, Most Congregationalist (UCC) and many if not most Presbyterian. Unitarian (originally rejected the Trinity), Universalist (originally believed everyone would be saved) Unitarian Universalist
Legalistic Christian sects– Amish, brethren, Mennonites (pacifism)
Pentecostalism - Charismatics -
Evangelical (Bible believing) – Baptist, Independent Churches, Bible Churches etc…
Cults – Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Scientist, Mormons etc……
Personal Testimonies – Some feel this is the best form of evangelism as well as being a powerful apologetic. The only problem is that Mormons, Muslims etc all have personal testimonies.
Top 10 Questions about Christianity
• God - Where did God come from?
• The Trinity - Isn't the Trinity a contradiction?
• Biblical Contradictions - Isn't the Bible invalid because it is full of contradictions?'
• Hell - How could God send people to Hell for eternity?
• Exclusivity - Aren't Christians arrogant and intolerant to claim that Christ is the only way to God?
• Miracles - Can modern man believe in miracles?
• Crutch - Isn't Christianity just a crutch for weak-minded people?
• Heathen - What about those who never hear the gospel - are they lost forever?
• Good Enough - Can't I make it to heaven if I'm just 'good enough?"
• Problem of Evil - If God created everything, and evil exists, did He create it? Isn't this a logical problem for
Christianity?
