Introduction to Christian Apologetics
- 2. A young lady visited a computer dating service and requested, "I'm looking for a spouse. Can you please help me to find a suitable one?" The matchmaker said, "What exactly are you looking for?"
- 3. "Well, let me see. Needs to be good looking, polite, humorous, sporty, knowledgeable, good at singing and dancing. Willing to accompany me the whole day at home during my leisure hour if I don't go out. Be able to tell me interesting stories when I need a companion for conversation and be silent when I want to rest."
- 4. The matchmaker entered the information into the computer and, in a matter of moments, handed the results to the woman. The results read, "Buy a television."
- 6. Apologetics is not the art of telling somebody you’re sorry that you’re a Christian!
- 7. Apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia, which means a defense, as in a court of law. Christian apologetics involves making a case for the truth of the Christian faith.
- 8. 15 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, (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)
- 10. We can present a defence of the Christian faith without becoming defensive. We can present arguments for Christianity without becoming argumentative.
- 11. Apologetics is also not the art of making somebody else sorry that you’re a Christian!
- 12. If you have good reasons for what you believe, then instead of anger you’ll feel a genuine compassion for the unbeliever, who is often so misled. Good apologetics involves “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).
- 13. Psalms 14 Psalms 19 Acts 17 Job
- 14. When God commanded Moses to go to Pharaoh, He gave two signs to Moses so that he could establish that it is God who sent Him.
- 15. When Daniel and his friends spoke to the man who was in-charge over them, he suggested that this steward should "prove" (investigate and conclude) them for ten days. Again this is the experimental approach, where a decision is taken on the basis of investigation.
- 16. The Scripture stress that the miracles in the New Testament church were meant to ATTEST that God was behind all these things. Though Jesus chided "doubting Thomas" for his skepticism, He did not refuse to give proof. Rather, He invited Thomas and even other disciples to examine Him physically and conclude that He is risen.
- 17. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. – John 14:11
- 18. The Epistle to the Colossians The Epistle to the Galatians Hebrews James 1 Peter 1 and 2 Timothy
- 19. Both Jesus and the apostles were not afraid to give evidence for the truth of what they proclaimed. This doesn’t mean they didn’t trust the Holy Spirit to bring people to God. Rather they trusted the Holy Spirit to use their arguments and evidence to bring people to God.
- 23. Modern apologetics movement has been able to arrest the way in which rationalists have been bleeding the Christian church. The apologetics movement has restored a lot of doubting people to strong faith. It has been able to strengthen the faith of many believers who wanted to know what the truth is in all this conflict
- 24. 1-To refute all the accusations that are brought against the Bible and the Christian faith. 2-To demonstrate that only the Bible and the Christian way of life work in the actual life, and that only the Bible and the Christian faith provide permanent peace and happiness. 3-To remove the sincere doubts in the hearts of believers and unbelievers, so that the hindrances to the growth and establishing their faith are eliminated. 4-To provide SUFFICIENT evidence for achieving the above goals.
- 40. How will apologetics help you?
- 41. Strengthen your faith Help you keep the faith in times of struggle and doubt Confidence to share the gospel
- 42. When you’re going through hard times and God seems distant, apologetics can help you to remember that our faith is not based on emotions, but on the truth, and therefore you must hold on to it.
- 43. The general conclusion that apologetics is ineffective in evangelism is just not true.
- 44. When apologetics is persuasively presented and sensitively combined with a gospel presentation and a personal testimony, the Spirit of God is pleased to use it to bring people to Himself.
- 45. Thank you….
Editor's Notes
- #25: It is necessary for the apologist to understand the difference between sufficient and total proof.