ApologeticsApologetics“Then and Now”“Then and Now”

Presented by: Randy OlssonPresented by: Randy Olsson

Presuppositional Presuppositional ApologeticsApologetics

Is a field that aims to present a Is a field that aims to present a rationalrational and defense for the faith against and defense for the faith against objections, and (3) expose the perceived objections, and (3) expose the perceived flaws of other flaws of other worldviewsworldviews. . Presuppositional apologetics is especially Presuppositional apologetics is especially concerned with the third aspect of this concerned with the third aspect of this discipline. The key feature of this school is discipline. The key feature of this school is that it maintains the Christian apologist that it maintains the Christian apologist must assume the truth of the supernatural must assume the truth of the supernatural revelationrevelation contained in the contained in the BibleBible (that is, (that is, the Christian worldview), both prior to the the Christian worldview), both prior to the apologetic exercise and as the result of it. apologetic exercise and as the result of it.

Classical ApologeticsClassical Apologetics Is that style of Christian defense that Is that style of Christian defense that

stresses rational arguments for the stresses rational arguments for the existence of God and uses evidence to existence of God and uses evidence to substantiate biblical claims and substantiate biblical claims and miracles.  It is quite similar to evidential miracles.  It is quite similar to evidential apologetics and appeals to human reason apologetics and appeals to human reason and evidence.  Some of the arguments and evidence.  Some of the arguments relied upon for proofs of God's existence relied upon for proofs of God's existence are the cosmological argument and the are the cosmological argument and the teleological argument. teleological argument. 

Two TypesTwo Types

Presuppositional – More of a Presuppositional – More of a negative approach. negative approach.

Classical – More of a positiveClassical – More of a positive

ApologeticsApologetics

4. Demolishing Arguments (refuting 4. Demolishing Arguments (refuting falsehoods)falsehoods)

If Jesus is really Lord, then we should If Jesus is really Lord, then we should be obedient to him as it is stated in II be obedient to him as it is stated in II Cor. 10:5 “we demolish Cor. 10:5 “we demolish argumentsarguments and every pretension that sets itself and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every and we take captive every thoughtthought to to make it obedient to Christ.”make it obedient to Christ.”

ApologeticsApologetics

3. Defending the gospel (upholding 3. Defending the gospel (upholding truth propositions)truth propositions)

In Philippians 1:7 Paul speaks of his In Philippians 1:7 Paul speaks of his task as task as “defending “defending and confirming the and confirming the gospel.” He adds in, “I am put here gospel.” He adds in, “I am put here for the for the defensedefense of the gospel.” This of the gospel.” This implies that the defender of the gospel implies that the defender of the gospel is out where her or she can encounter is out where her or she can encounter others and help preserve the truth.others and help preserve the truth.

What is Apologetics?What is Apologetics?

2. Giving Answers for the hope we have.2. Giving Answers for the hope we have.1 Peter 3:151 Peter 3:15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared be prepared to give an answerto give an answer to everyone who to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respecthave. But do this with gentleness and respect

Presuppositional Presuppositional Apologetics Apologetics

Keys in listening…Keys in listening… Dodging Bullets (VS.) Disarming the Dodging Bullets (VS.) Disarming the

manman It deals with uncovering the It deals with uncovering the

philosophical foundation of one’s philosophical foundation of one’s world viewworld view

4 Questions to Ask4 Questions to Ask

Is it Is it Arbitrary?Arbitrary? Is it Is it Inconsistent?Inconsistent? What are the What are the Consequences?Consequences? What are theWhat are the preconditions preconditions of of

what is presented?what is presented?