ApologeticsGive a defense

What Apologetics is not

The art of getting really good at sayin “I’m sorry over and over again.”

The art of intellectually forcing unbelievers into submission holds MMA style

What Apologetics is not

Arguing about how many angels can stand on a pin. (knowing all the stuff)

Shaving your head and looking cool

What are Apologetics

Apologetics is the branch of Christian theology which attempts to give a rational defense of the Christian fatih

Apologetics is giving a reason for why you believe what you believe.

What are Apologetics

Comes from the Greek word “apologia” απολογια

means “give an answer” or “give a defense”

Court system

Early church

What are Apologetics

Apologetics is also called “pre-evangelism”

An apologist is someone who defends the Christian faith.

What are Apologetics

How it is used:Refers to the discipline concerned with the defense of the faithApproaches or systems developed for defending the faith Practice of defending the fatihmetapologetics

What are Apologetics

Funtions of:Vindication or proofDefenseRefutation (Offense)Persuasion

Why Apologetics

The Bible commands it1 Peter 3:15

Why Apologetics

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

Why Apologetics

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have….

Why Apologetics

…But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Why Apologetics

The Bible commands it1 Peter 3:15Jude 3

Why Apologetics

3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.

Why Apologetics

The Bible commands it1 Peter 3:15Jude 3Should be done with mercy and love

1 Cor 8:1, 1 Cor 13, Jude 22

Why Apologetics

Jesus did it

Paul did it

The early church did it

Why Apologetics

To better know your faith and share it more effectively

To answer peoples real questions which hinder them from accepting the gospel

Why Apologetics

To have influence in the public square

To prevent doctrinal apostasy in the church

To answer false claims of cults and religions

Why Apologetics

Faith, on its own, is not enough.

Simple faith doesn’t enable us to defend the gospel, and make a well-reasoned case for Christ.

Why Apologetics

Evangelism has changedCulture has shifted from valuing fact to experience.Cant assume people have a Christian world view/valuesAtheists have gone on the offensive; books, movies, etc…

Why Apologetics

High school students are leaving the faith but still attending church…until they go to college.

40%-70% of students stop attending church when they graduateStudies show most cant articulate their beliefs“moralistic-therapeutic-deism” (crutch)

Why Apologetics

Most will either have doubts, or know people who do.

Varieties of Apologetics

3 schools of thought

Presuppositional ApologeticsEmphasizes the importance of presuppositions or the foundation of ones thinkingAssumes the existence of God and the truth the bible2 Peter 3:5

Varieties of Apologetics

Classical ApologeticsStresses rational argumentation for the existence of God.It is necessary to demonstrate the existence of God first in order to argue for the resurrection of JesusRomans 1:20

Varieties of Apologetics

Evidentual ApologeticsEmphasize giving evidence for the Christian faith whether historical, logical, etc...They think that miracles do not presuppose God’s existence, but can serve as evidence for existence1 Cor 15:3-7

Varieties of Apologetics

Areas of:

Philosophical CosmologicalTeleologicalOntologicalMoralTranscendentalPresuppostional

Varieties of Apologetics

Theological

Biblical

Scientific

Religion and Cults

Historical and legal

Defense of miracles

Varieties of Apologetics

Prophetic fulfilment

Moral

Creationist

Experiential

Others (sociology, business, etc…)

So…Since Christianity is a worldview, apologetics in some sense affects every aspect of life.

So…What is worldview?

the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world. “it is the ideology, philosophy, theology, movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God, the world, and man’s relations to God and the world”

So…For example a 2 year old believes he is the center of the universe. A secular humanist believes that the material world is all that exist. And a Buddhist believes he can be liberated by self purificationSomeone with a biblical world view believes his primary reason for existence is to love and serve God

So…Since Christianity is a worldview, apologetics in some sense affects every aspect of life.

The bible commands it, Jesus did it, Paul did it, the early church did it, and the world needs it.

What are you going to do about it?

Apologeticsis

A lonely endeavor. It is possible for a person to give a great deal of effort to apologetic work, to defending God’s word, to answering questions, to reasoning with people and have it all seem as though it was worthless.

Apologeticsis

Discouragement is a reality to the apologist.

You need to understand what your job is an apologist

To answer questions and objections and point people to Jesus