Apologetics Final – Study Guide

Apologetics Final Exam Study Guide Flashcards

Definition of Apologetics

The practice of making an appeal and a defense of the Christian faith.

Classical Apologetic Methodology

Philosophical/logical approach that argues for general theism before defending Christianity.

Evidentialist Apologetic Methodology

"Single-step" method that uses historical and scientific evidence for Christian truth claims.

Presuppositional Apologetic Methodology

Emphasizes the noetic effects of sin; argues Christianity is the necessary foundation for reason.

Experiential/Narrative Apologetic Methodology

Appeals to human longing and imagination; shows how Christianity best explains reality.

First premise of the Cosmological Argument

Everything that begins to exist has a cause.

Cosmological Argument Summary

The universe began to exist, therefore it must have a cause, that cause is God.

Big Bang Theory

Supports the Cosmological Argument by affirming a beginning of the universe.

Anselm's Definition of God

A being than which none greater can be conceived.

Ontological Argument

Existence in reality is greater than existence in the mind; therefore, God must exist.

Gaunilo’s island critique

An argument can be misused to "prove" imaginary things.

Teleological Argument

The universe has intricate order and design, implying a Designer.

Watchmaker Analogy

A watch’s complexity implies a maker; so does the universe.

Moral Argument

Objective moral values and duties exist and are best explained by a moral lawgiver—God.

Two assumptions that Science depends on but cannot prove:

The rationality of the universe and the rationality of the human mind.

Why Christianity supports Science

It teaches the universe is created by a rational God.

Relativism Critique

Self-refuting because it makes an absolute claim that no absolutes exist.

Religious Pluralism Critique

Illogical because it claims all religions are true while denying exclusivity.

Moral Relativism

Belief that right and wrong depend on personal or cultural preferences.

Most Common Title of Jesus

Jesus most often called Himself this; communicates deity (Daniel 7 reference).

New Testament teaching on Jesus

Teaches that Jesus is equal to and one with God.

Old Testament link to Jesus

Points to Jesus through prophecy, promise, and types and shadows.

Psalms Prophecy

Anticipate a king who will rule universally.

James and Paul as Key Witnesses

Affirmed Jesus' resurrection, despite being unlikely converts.

Significance of Women at the Tomb

Their role adds credibility to the resurrection account due to their low social status at the time.

Refutation of Hallucination Theory

Group hallucinations are scientifically impossible.

Importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls

Confirm the reliability of the Masoretic Text due to remarkable consistency.

Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical Books

Valued historically but not considered inspired Scripture.

Judaism's Sacred Text

The Tanak (Torah, Prophets, Writings).

Key Holiday in Judaism: Passover

Commemorates the Exodus from Egypt.

Historical Shift to Rabbinic Judaism

Emerged after the destruction of the Second Temple in A.D. 70.

Islam's view of Jesus

Regarded as a prophet, not divine, and not crucified or resurrected.

Shahadah

The Muslim confession of faith.

Quran

Primary holy book of Islam.

Muhammad

Considered the final prophet in Islam.

Islam

Means "submission."

Arsenokoitai

Paul uses this Greek term to reference Leviticus 18 and 20, showing continuity between the Law and New Testament sexual ethics.

Biblical Marriage Metaphor Critique of Same-Sex Unions

Same-sex unions cannot represent God’s covenant love because they lack the distinction and complementarity of male and female as designed by God.

Authorial Intent

Biblical interpretation should focus on what the author meant to communicate, not the reader’s feelings or modern relevance.

Core Traits of Progressive Christianity

Reinterprets historic Christian doctrines to align with modern culture.

Key Doctrines Often Rejected by Progressive Christianity

Sin is frequently redefined or downplayed in progressive theology.