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Ready With An Answer

Introduction to Apologetics

Douglas Beaumont

Defending the Faith – 1 Peter 3:15

Douglas Beaumont



Douglas Beaumont





Douglas Beaumont, Ph.D.

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Douglas Beaumont




Douglas Beaumont


A reasoned argument (defense) that

presents evidence (compelling proof).

Apologetics is not Apologizing

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ἀπολογίαν

“But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you”

1 Peter 3:15



Douglas Beaumont


ἀναπολογήτους

“Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse”

Romans 1:20


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Apologetics: Consenting to the FaithEvangelization: Committing to the FaithTheology: Communicating the FaithMorality: Carrying out the Faith




Douglas Beaumont


“Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” (Jude 3)

“Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:5-6)

“I have been put here for the defense of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:16)

Apologetics is Biblical

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Apologetics is Christ-Like

“But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works” (John 10:38)

“When John [the Baptist] heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.’” (Matthew 11:2-5)



Douglas Beaumont


Apologetics is Christ-Like

Thomas . . . said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” . . . Jesus . . . said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” (John 20:24-27)

“If Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14)

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Apologetics is Loving

“The entire activity of the Church is an expression of love.” (Pope Benedict XVI , Deus Caritas Est, 19).

• Faith is Proposed, not Imposed.• Giving arguments, not being argumentative.• Winning souls, not debates.• Defending without being defensive.• Goes on the offense without being offensive.



Douglas Beaumont


Apologetics is Loving“It is praiseworthy to dispute about the faith in order to confute errors. . . . It is necessary to dispute in public about the faith, provided there be those who are equal and adapted to the task of confuting errors; since in this way simple people are strengthened in the faith, and unbelievers are deprived of the opportunity to deceive, while if those who ought to withstand the perverters of the truth of faith were silent, this would tend to strengthen error.” (ST, II-II, Q.10, A.7)

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Douglas Beaumont


Apologetics is Loving



Douglas Beaumont


“What has Athens to do with

Jerusalem?”

Apologetics is Faithful and Reasonable

TertullianDe Praescriptione Haereticorum, 7

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“Man’s response to God, who reveals himself.” (CCC, 26)

“The assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists.” (Heb. 11:6)



Douglas Beaumont



Reason FaithIntellectualEvidentialNatural

WillfulAuthoritativeSupernatural

Reason is an intellectual response to natural revelation based on evidence from creation.

Faith is a willful response to supernatural revelation based on the authority of the Creator.

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Prophecy(2 Pet. 1:20-21; CCC, 54-67)

Scripture(2 Tim. 3:16-17; CCC, 101-107)

External Creation(Rom. 1:18-22, CCC, 32)

Internal Conscience(Rom. 2:12-16, CCC, 33)

Supernatural RevelationNatural Revelation



Douglas Beaumont


“I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth”

Revelation 7:1

“It is He who sits above the circle of the earth”

Isaiah 40:22


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Douglas Beaumont


Apologetics is Not a Demonstration

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Intellect VolitionEmotionApologetics Faith

Apologetics is Not a Demonstration



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Resources



Douglas Beaumont


Douglas Beaumont

ready with an answer€¦ · 5/5/2016 5 ready with an answer introduction to apologetics douglas...

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