Apologetics is the branch of theology that deals with answering any and all critics who oppose or question the validity of Christianity. It can include studying such subjects as biblical manuscript transmission, philosophy, biology, mathematics, evolution, logic, history, etc. The word “apologetics” is derived from the Greek, apologia, which means “a reasoned defense.” As such, it involves providing an answer, not an apology in the contemporary sense of the word.
In 1 Peter 3:15 believers are told always to be prepared “to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.” The context here is similar to Paul’s later epistles and to Luke’s writings. When challenged, Christians are to give a reasoned defense of what they believe to anyone who asks.
………A more exact definition of biblical apologetics is the science of learning, demonstrating, documenting, and communicating how believing God makes sense. It answers the fundamental question: “Why should I believe God?”
What can a proper study of apologetics accomplish for the teachable Christian?
Apologetics teaches that sufficient proof exists. God has provided objective truth, through general and special revelation, to prove He is both Creator and God. Apologists are often asked, “Can you show proof of God’s existence?” But contrast that question with this one: “If you show proof of God’s existence, will everyone who sees that proof be honest enough to approve of that proof of God’s existence?” According to the Bible, the answer to 1 is “Yes,” but the answer to 2 is “No.” Why? The difference between those two answers is summarized by Paul’s succinct phrase “without excuse,” oranapologêtous in the Greek (“without a defense”), in Romans 1:19-20. Specifically, those who refuse to “approve” of God’s revealed proofs are themselves “without excuse” for disapproving God’s proof. Accordingly, apologetics must be realistic in balancing the presentation of proof with the predisposition of unpersuaded humans to suppress or reject that truth…..Click to read
Training Christian Leaders at Haggai, Hawaii, USA
With Dr.Balasingh after the Buddism seminar at Norton Bridge , Sri Lanka 2 Oct 2015
What is the Ontological argument?
What is Kalam’s Cosmological argument?
Resources
- http://www.bethinking.org– Excellent audio archive for beginner to advanced apologetics
- http://www.VERITAS.org – The VERITAS Forum
- http://www.Leaderu.com – Leadership University
- http://www.TheOCCA.org– Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics
- http://www.RZIM.org– Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
- http://www.ReasonableFaith.org – Dr.William Craig
- http://arcapologetics.org/ Apologetics Resource Centre
- http://www.thepoachedegg.net/ The Poached Egg
- http://www.arn.org/ Access Research Network
- http://www.embracethetruth.org Aletheia International
- http://faithinfocus.org/ Alex McFarland
- http://answeringislam.org/ Answering Islam
- http://normangeisler.net Norm Geisler
- John Lennox.org John Lennox
- Josh.org Josh McDowell
Extra Reading Resources
- Greg Koukl: STR.org
- J. Warner Wallace: ColdCaseChristianity.com
- C.S. Lewis: CSLewis.org
- Gary Habermas: GaryHabermas.com
- Timothy McGrew: http://historicalapologetics.org/
- Dr. Michael Brown: AskDrBRown.org
- Richard Howe: Richardghowe.com
- Tim Keller: TimothyKeller.com
- J. Budziszewski: Undergroundthomist.org
- Hank Hanegraaff: Equip.org
- Hugh Ross: Reasons.org
Nature of Apologetics, 1
Nature of Apologetics, 2
Developing an Apologetic Mind, 1
Developing an Apologetic Mind, 2
Worldviews, Truth, and Knowledge, 1
Worldviews, Truth, and Knowledge, 2
Truth and Knowledge
Conventionalism
Testing Worldviews
Natural Theology
Atheism
Cosmological Arguments, 1
Cosmological Arguments, 2
Cosmological Arguments, 3
Design Arguments, 1
Design Arguments, 2
Design Arguments, 3
Design Arguments, 4
God and Moral Meaning, 1
God and Moral Meaning, 2
God and Moral Meaning, 3
Argument from Religious Experience
Question and Answers
Pascal’s Wager
Miracles, 1
Miracles, 2
Reliability of the New Testament, 1
Reliability of the New Testament, 2
Reliability of the New Testament, 3
Apologetic Role Playing
Claims of Jesus and Resurrection
Easternism and New Age, 1
Easternism and New Age, 2
Easternism and New Age, 3
Testimony on New Age
Religious Pluralism and Exclusivism
Brief Comments on the Medium of Video
Intelligent Design and Science, 1
Intelligent Design and Science, 2 (Closing Comments)
God and the Problem of Evil, 1
God and the Problem of Evil, 2
Top 10 Apologetics Books
|