Apologetcs Quiz 1

Presuppositionslism

- Christians should presuppose Christian worldview and argue with unbelievers accordingly - From reformed believers - Relies on negative apologetics to refute non Christian claims - Focus on the validation of scripture and truth of Christianity

Presuppose

- Consider it true - The lens through which you already see God

Redemption

- God promised to undo what the serpent initiated - God continued to pursue humans by selecting a particular people for His redemptive purposes

The Fall

- Man disobeyed and turned against God - The universe groans for redemption - Nothing in the fallen word can redeem humans - Man worships the creation rather than the Creator

Creation

- Origin of the universe is supernatural, not natural - The universe itself is not divine - The universe did not pop into existence without cause or reason - The universe has not always existed - One God exists in 3 co-equal persons

Posteriori Theistic Argument

- Post-evidence - An argument that uses evidence - All depend on some evidence as a basis for God's existence - Design, moral, religious experience - ex. cosmological

Priori Theistic Argument

- Pre-evidence - An argument that does not use evidence but is based on reasoning - Depend on rational knowledge apart from empirical - Idea of God as greatest possible being rational demands God exists - ex. ontological

Evidentialism

- Significant historical events in Christianity are able to be established through historical evidence - Need of evidence from science to validate scripture

Contextual Apologetics

- The context in which apologetics take place - Situations we live out - Silent environment free to reflect and discuss - Free of distractions and contemporary culture - ex. hospitality, inviting non believers

1 Peter 3:15-16

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

Third Purpose of Apologetics

To Strengthen the Church - Attacks from atheists and skeptics can leave believers with doubts and a weakened faith - Apologetics supplies the Christian with rational, logical, and evidential truths that undergird their trust in the Bible

First Purpose of Apologetics

To validate the truth of Christianity - Involves employing philosophical arguments - Empirical and historical evidences for the Christian faith Goal: To develop a rational and reasonable case for Christianity against opposing beliefs and worldviews

Titus 1:9

Trustworthy Message & Sound Doctrine "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it."

Credibility

Verified by the truth

Humility

Willingness to listen and temper our responses

Colossians 4:5-6

Wise Toward Outsiders "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

1 John 1:1-3

Word of Life "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us."

Worldview Hypothesis

- A broad ranging theory of everything that tries to account for the nature and meaning of the universe and its in habitants - Best presented slowly: piece by piece

Dialogical Apologetics

- Apologetics through conversation where there is a back and forth - Requires humility 1. Direct discussion (meeting, debate, email, call) 2. Static (book, article, blog)

Fideism

- Attempt to protect Christian faith against assaults of reason by means of intellectual insulation and isolation - Strategy of making a belief a self-certifying and self-enclosed reality that needs no intellectual fortification from classical apologetics

3 Limits of Apologetics

1. Complexity and age of the Bible makes it difficult to understand (long, ancient, perplexing, etc.) 2. Weakness of the subjects who practice Christianity (we are weak because we are sinners) 3. God does not always explain why he does what he does and is often mysterious (God may move in any way he chooses)

Worldview Hypothesis Evaluation Steps

1. Formulated clearly 2. Identify potential rival worldviews 3. Apply same criteria/tests of truth to each contending worldview

2 Aspects of Truth

1. Nature of Truth 2. Rationally Testable

Jude 3

Contend for the Faith "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."

Christian Worldview in a Nutshell

Creation, Fall, Redemption

Philippians 1:16

Defense of the Gospel "...I am put here for the defense of the gospel."

Colossians 2:8

Do Not Be Captive to Deception "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ."

2 Peter 1:16

Eyewitness of His Majesty "For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty."

Plausibility

Holds interest or appeal but only potentially true

Romans 1:20

Invisible Attributes are Visible in Creation "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."

Intellectual Fortification

Knowledge that depends on faith alone

Matthew 22:37

Love God with All And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Jude 22

Merciful to Doubters "Be merciful to those who doubt..."

Acts 18:27-28

Scriptures Prove the Messiah "When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah."

2 Corinthians 10:5

Take Thoughts Captive "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Fourth Purpose of Apologetics

To Refute Error Goal: To defend and uphold God's truth

Second Purpose of Apologetics

To Save the Lost