what is apologetics? (a simple approach)

WHAT IS APOLOGETICS?

I PETER 3:15

• But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you…

APOLIGIA

The term apologetics etymologically derives from the Classical Greek word apologia. In the Classical Greek legal system two key technical terms were employed: the prosecution delivered the kategoria (κατηγορία), and the defendant replied with an apologia. To deliver an apologia meant making a formal speech or giving an explanation to reply and rebut the charges, as in the case of Socrates' defense.

1 PETER 3:16HOW TO RESPOND TO SOMEONE WHO IS DEBATING YOU

• Yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.

WHY IS APOLOGETICS NECESSARY?

• 1 John 4:1-3

• Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

• By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.

• And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the world.

WILLIAM LANE CRAIG

COSMOLOGICAL ARGUMENT WILLIAM LANE CRAIG

IS THIS ARGUMENT WITHOUT FLAW?

One of the weaknesses of the argument is that if all things need a cause to exist, then God Himself must also, by definition, need a cause to exist.  But this only pushes causation back and implies that there must be an infinite number of causes, which cannot be.Also, by definition, God is uncaused.

HOW APOLOGETICS AFFECTS CHURCH

• 2 Timothy 2:15

• Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

HOW APOLOGETICS AFFECTS CHURCH

• Educate the unified body of believers

• Emulate Jesus Christ in word and deed

• Elevate the Church to a higher standard in Christ

I’LL ADMIT IT: I WAS AMBUSHED BY THE AMOUNT AND QUALITY OF THE EVIDENCE THAT JESUS IS THE UNIQUE SON OF GOD. AS I SAT AT MY DESK THAT SUNDAY AFTERNOON, I SHOOK MY HEAD IN AMAZEMENT. I HAD SEEN DEFENDANTS CARTED OFF TO THE DEATH CHAMBER ON MUCH LESS CONVINCING PROOF! THE CUMULATIVE FACTS AND DATA POINTED UNMISTAKABLY TOWARD A CONCLUSION THAT I WASN’T ENTIRELY COMFORTABLE IN REACHING.

QUOTE FROM THE CASE FOR CHRIST

THE TAKE-HOME MESSAGE IS THAT WE SHOULD BLAME RELIGION ITSELF, NOT RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM - AS THOUGH THAT WERE SOME KIND OF TERRIBLE PERVERSION OF REAL, DECENT RELIGION. VOLTAIRE GOT IT RIGHT LONG AGO: 'THOSE WHO CAN MAKE YOU BELIEVE ABSURDITIES CAN MAKE YOU COMMIT ATROCITIES.' SO DID BERTRAND RUSSELL: 'MANY PEOPLE WOULD SOONER DIE THAN THINK. IN FACT THEY DO.

QUOTE FROM THE GOD DELUSION

ATHEISTIC MOVEMENT OF TODAY

• The New Athiests

• A social and political movement in favour of atheism and secularism promoted by a collection of modern atheist writers who have advocated the view that “religion should not simply be tolerated but should be countered, criticized, and exposed by rational argument wherever its influence arises.” -Simon Cooper, CNN

C.S. LEWIS

“I BELIEVE IN CHRISTIANITY AS I BELIEVE THAT THE SUN HAS RISEN: NOT ONLY BECAUSE I SEE IT, BUT BECAUSE BY IT I SEE EVERYTHING ELSE.”