Sem 1 Bible 11 Final

Classical Apologetics

Uses logic and reasoning

Evidentialism

Shows evidence and facts

Reformed Apologetics

Stand on God’s word in Scripture

Fideism

Puts faith and trust at the forefront

“Defending Christian faith is the non-Christian world"/ Defense of the Christian faith is the definition of

Apologetics

The original Greek word apologia (from which we get the term apologetics) originated as a

Legal term

Not a function of apologetics

Winning an Argument

Apologetics was recognized as a specific discipline within the first couple centuries of the church

False

Considers that Christianity is known not just through reason

Persuasion

Reveals the irrationality of non-Christian belief systems

Refuatation

Demonstrates Christianity is not unreasonable and can be trusted

Defense

Shows Christianity is reasonable and offers good reasons to believe

Proof

Case from the Ground Up Point #1

Truth about reality is knowable

Case from the Ground Up Point #2

The opposite of true is false

Case from the Ground Up Point #3

It is true that the theistic God exists

Case from the Ground Up Point #4

If God exists, then miracles are possible

Case from the Ground Up Point #5

Miracles can be used to confirm a message from God

Case from the Ground Up Point #6

The New Testament is historically reliable

Case from the Ground Up Point #7

The New Testament says Jesus claimed to be God

Case from the Ground Up Point #8

Jesus’ claim to be God was miraculously confirmed by:

a. His fulfillment of many prophecies

b. His sinless and miraculous life

c. His prediction and accomplishment of His resurrection

Case from the Ground Up Point #9

Therefore, Jesus is God

Case from the Ground Up Point #10

Whatever Jesus (who is God) teaches is true

Case from the Ground Up Point #11

Jesus taught that the Bible is the Word of God

Case from the Ground Up Point #12

Therefore, it is true that the Bible is the Word of God (and everything opposed to it is false)

Reason is the sole test of truth

Rationalism

The belief that statements of fact or value are true from some perspectives but not from others

Relativism

A cultural movement that has applied relativistic thinking

Postmodernism

The study of knowledge

Epistemology

The study of the nature of reality

Metaphysics

Proper conduct in light of reality

Ethics

Circle

Agnosticism

Triangle

Atheism

Square

Polytheism

Diamond

Monotheism

Smiley Face

Pantheism

Heart

Finite Godism

Sun

Pantheism

Cloud

Theist

Moon

Deist

Arrow

Christian Theist

Plus sign

Unitarian

Christian evidentialism is primarily

inductive

The evidence never provides certainty, but it does find claims to be

probable

Evidentialism is counter-cultural to

modernism and religious pluralism

A real book, written at a real time, about real places and events should

have real historical evidence

Seeks to determine whether the existing or extant copies of a document are reliable reproductions of the wording of the original document

Bibliographical test

Considers the claims of the writings as to their historicity and internal consistency

Internal test

Asks whether the testimony of the biblical writings is corroborated or undermined by extra biblical sources

External test

A legitimate prophecy must

be clear

Legitimate prophecies have to be given

before the event has transpired

A legitimate prophecy cannot be

fulfilled by actions of the prophet himself

A legitimate prophecy must be either

uniquely specific or long-range as to be remarkable

It’s unacceptable for a prophet to be

wrong in his prophecies sometimes

All spiders have eight legs. A tarantula is a spider. Therefore, tarantulas have eight legs.

Deductive

All mammals have backbones. Humans are mammals. Humans have backbones.

Deductive

God is ever-present all the time. I am in the present. God is present with me

Deductive

“If anyone is in Christ they are a new creation. The old has passed away and the new has come” - 2 Cor 5:17.

I am in Christ. Therefore I am a new creation.

Deductive

All scripture is inspired by God. The book of Acts is scripture. The book of Acts is inspired by God

Deductive

The Father is referred to in the Bible as God. The Holy Spirit is referred to in the Bible as God. Jesus is referred to in the Bible as God. God is revealed in three persons.

Inductive

In Hebrews 11, the chapter references 15 individuals who were commended by God for their faith. God commends those who have faith.

Inductive

In Hebrews 11, God commends people of faith. If I have faith, God will commend me.

Inductive

We’ve had 3 dogs that we’ve gotten from a shelter. All three dogs have been great pets. Shelter dogs make great pets.

Inductive

Another name for Reformed Apologetics is

Presuppositionalism

Reformed apologetics works on the assumption that God’s Word is

True and Authoritative

Reformed apologetics is heavy on

deductive reasoning

Reformed apologetics believes that the human mind is NOT capable of determining

on its own what is true and what is right

Reformed apologetics believes that all true knowledge is

constructed within a Biblical Foundation

All works and words of God are

contrary to reason

The passions of the soul trouble the senses and makes false impressions upon them. Therefore, reason

cannot be fully trusted

Strengths of Fideism

• Emphasizes the personal dimension of God and his revelation

• Takes seriously the limitations of human reason and knowledge

• Centers the Christian witness in apologetics on Christ

Weaknesses of Fideism

• Pits the personal against the basis of truth claims

• Underestimates the role of reason and knowledge in faith

• Unnecessarily undermines confidence in the Bible