LUOA Apologetics

For any student of LUOA taking the Apologetics class

The New Testament was originally written in what language?

Greek

The first translation of the Old Testament is in what language?

Greek (Septuagint)

The English word "apologetics" comes from what Greek word?

apologia

Apo means what?

from

Logos means what?

intelligent reasoning or well-reasoned reply

The history of the word, Apologetics is traced to what, where the prosecution delivers an accusation and the defendant responds with his or her defense?

first century courts of law

What New Testament verse is most commonly associated with Christian apologetics?

1 Peter 3:15

In 1 Peter 3:15, Christians are commanded to be prepared to make a defense for their Christian beliefs at all times. According to this verse, what are the two ways that Christians should go about doing this?

respect and gentleness

“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

Acts 22:1

"I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him."

Acts 25:16

"This is my defense to those who would examine me."

1 Corinthians 9:3

"For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter."

2 Corinthians 7:11

"It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel."

Philippians 1:7

"The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel."

Philippians 1:16

"At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!"

2 Timothy 4:16

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

1 Peter 3:15

According to the article, "Six Reasons Young Christians Leave Church" by the Barna Group, what percentage of young Christians leave the church after age fifteen?

59%

If a Christian is asked a difficult question and provides no well-thought-out response in return, what is likely to happen?

The Christian will be like a defense lawyer without a thought-out response.

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age"

Matthew 28:18-20

The word disciple comes from what Greek word?

mathetes

The word disciple means what?

Learner or follower

In his final moments on earth, what did Jesus tell his followers to do?

Make disciples.

According to the lesson (1.2.M - Lesson: Reason One - Equipping Believers), what word presents a better picture of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

zealot

According to the lesson (1.2.M - Lesson: Reason One - Equipping Believers),who is a great example in Scripture of a "zealot"?

Paul

Upon having doubts about whether Jesus is the Son of God, John the Baptist asks a difficult question and then seeks an answer. When he seeks an answer, Jesus gives him an answer. After all of this takes place, what does Jesus say about John the Baptist?

"No greater man than John the Baptist has ever been born of a woman."

According to the article, "What is the role of apologetics in evangelism?" the task of apologetics is:

"Preparing the listener to be more able to receive the truth of God's Word in the presentation of the saving gospel of Christ."

According to the article, "What is the role of apologetics in evangelism?" what is the relationship between apologetics and evangelism?

Apologetics prepares the listener for the gospel message whereas evangelism is the presentation of the gospel message.

Christians are just as much a part of their what as anyone else?

culture

How many miracles did Jesus perform during his ministry?

Over 30

How many Old Testament prophecies did Jesus fulfill?

Over 300

What is the greatest proof that Jesus is God?

Jesus rising from the dead

Paul was "appointed for the defense of the gospel."

Philippians 1:16

One responsibility of Christians is to "destroy arguments and lofty opinions raised against the knowledge of God."

2 Corinthians 10:5

Paul finds common ground with his audience, argues based on facts that could be investigated, and states that the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christianity.

Acts 17:22-34

Paul states that all humans can know that God exists through what has been made.

Romans 1:20

Paul appeals to eyewitness testimony as proof of Jesus' resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15: 3-8

Peter did preach a sermon on the Day of Pentecost, but the reason for the three thousand conversions should be attributed to the what?

Holy Spirit.

Christians must be prepared at all times to present a compelling case for the claims of Christianity. According to 1 Peter 3:15, how should this case be presented?

With gentleness and respect.

Why is the primary reason that Jesus used apologetics?

To defend his claims to be the Son of God.

Apologetics contains two dimensions. What are they?

offense and defense.

What type of apologetics is 2 Corinthians 10:5 associated with? Second Corinthians 10:5 commands Christians to "destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."

offensive apologetics

What type of apologetics is Philippians 1:7 and 1 Peter 3:15 associated with? Philippians 1:7 says, "For it is only right for me to feel this way about you, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me." First Peter 3:15 states, "In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

defensive apologetics

"And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit."

Mark 13:11

"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

Ephesians 1:13-14

"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."

1 Corinthians 12:13

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Romans 10:9

"You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him."

Romans 8:9

What are four places apologetics can be used? Answer: With family, at church, at school and at a job

At the moment of salvation, a person receives what gift?

Holy Spirit

truth.

Truth is that which corresponds to reality

According to John 18:28-40, what is the reason that Jesus came into the world?

To bear witness to the truth.

According to Jesus in John 18:28-40, how can we know the truth?

By listening to his (Jesus') voice.

What is the most important question that a person could ever ask?

What is truth?

What is truth?

That which corresponds to reality.

Wheat grows inside a thin husk or shell, oftentimes referred to as what?

Chaff

In the wheat and chaff analogy, chaff is a metaphor for what?

People who are consumed by falsehood.

In the wheat and chaff analogy, wheat is a metaphor for what?

People who live according to truth.

How can you avoid being "taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit"?

Learn how to separate truths from untruths.

What happens when you learn how to separate truths from untruths?

You can begin living according to Christ, who is the truth.

What is the most foundational reason why the Christian's life turned out so differently than the skeptic's life?

Their view of truth was different.

Regarding its relationship to truth, the Bible is what?

God's revelation of truth to mankind.

A what is a statement that a particular person or belief system holds to be true?

truth claim

How should a Christian respond to the statement, We can't know anything for sure?

How do you know that for sure?

Truth cannot be invented; it must be what?

discovered

What is societal relativism also referred to as?

cultural relativism

What is the definition of societal relativism?

Truth is relative to the individual within the society that he/she lives.

What is individual relativism?

Right and wrong are determined by individuals.

What is the difference between societal relativism and individual relativism, especially since societies consist of individuals?

Societal relativism determines right and wrong by what the majority says; individual relativism determines right and wrong by what each person says.

The central idea of individual relativism is: One person's view of what is no truer or better than another person's view of what; therefore, one person cannot look down upon another person?

truth

What should you ask someone who makes the statement: "Absolute truth doesn't exist"?

truth

What is the definition of absolute truth?

Something that is true for all people, in all places, and at all times.

What is the definition of societal relativism?

Truth is relative to the individual within the society that he/she lives.

What is societal relativism also referred to as?

cultural relativism

There is more than one what in our world. How are we to know which one we should obey?

Society

There is no such thing as an what law?

immoral

Those who have tried to do what corrupt societies are actually criminals of the worst kind?

reform

Relativists deny the existence of absolute truth and live by the mantra, "What's (1) what for you may not be (2) what for me, and what's (3) what for you may not be (4) what for me?

(1) true; (2) true; (3) false; (4) false

How should you respond to the following statement? "You can't know anything for sure."

"How do you know that you can't know anything for sure?"

How should you respond to the following statement? "There are no absolutes."

"Is that absolutely true?"

How should you respond to the following statement? "Who are you to say?"

"Who are you to say, 'Who are you to say?'"

How should you respond to the following statement? "You shouldn't force your morality on me."

"Why not?"

If taken to its logical end, relativism leads to what?

anarchy

How should you respond to the following statement? "That's true for you, but not for me."

"Are you assuming the following statement to be universally true: 'Something can be true for one person and not for another?"

How should you respond to the following statement? "That's just your opinion/view."

"'It's all a matter of opinion' is actually a truth-claim, the opposite of which is alleged to be false. 'It's all a matter of opinion' isn't just a matter of opinion. Shouldn't some opinions be rejected for being clearly evil and/or obviously false?"

How should you respond to the following statement?

"You can't judge me!"

How should you respond to the following statement? "Stop being intolerant!"

"What do you mean by intolerance?" If they respond with, "You're not being accepting of another person's beliefs," then gently respond by saying, "But you likewise aren't being accepting of my position. You think I'm wrong. Are you being intolerant?"

How should you respond to the following statement? "It's arrogant to say your values are better than others."

"Are you saying, 'It's always wrong for anyone anywhere to be arrogant?'" If the relativist answers "yes," then they have identified a universal moral standard, which is the very thing they deny exists.