Varieties of Apologetics

3 schools of thoughtPresuppositional Apologetics–Emphasizes the importance of

presuppositions or the foundation of ones thinking–Assumes the existence of God and the

truth the bible–2 Peter 3:5

Varieties of Apologetics

• Classical Apologetics–Stresses rational argumentation

for the existence of God.–It is necessary to demonstrate the

existence of God first in order to argue for the resurrection of Jesus–Romans 1:20

Varieties of Apologetics

• Evidentual Apologetics–Emphasize giving evidence for the

Christian faith whether historical, logical, etc...–They think that miracles do not

presuppose God’s existence, but can serve as evidence for existence–1 Cor 15:3-7

Varieties of Apologetics

• Areas of:• Philosophical –Cosmological–Teleological–Ontological–Moral–Transcendental–Presuppostional

Varieties of Apologetics

• Theological• Biblical• Scientific • Religion and Cults• Historical and legal• Defense of miracles

Varieties of Apologetics

• Prophetic fulfilment• Moral• Creationist• Experiential• Others (sociology, business, etc…)

So…• Since Christianity is a worldview,

apologetics in some sense affects every aspect of life.

So…–What is worldview?• the framework from which we view

reality and make sense of life and the world. “it is the ideology, philosophy, theology, movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God, the world, and man’s relations to God and the world”

So…–For example a 2 year old believes he is the

center of the universe. A secular humanist believes that the material world is all that exist. And a Buddhist believes he can be liberated by self purification–Someone with a biblical world view

believes his primary reason for existence is to love and serve God

So…• Since Christianity is a worldview,

apologetics in some sense affects every aspect of life.• The bible commands it, Jesus did

it, Paul did it, the early church did it, and the world needs it.• What are you going to do about it?

Apologeticsis

• A lonely endeavor. It is possible for a person to give a great deal of effort to apologetic work, to defending God’s word, to answering questions, to reasoning with people and have it all seem as though it was worthless.

Apologeticsis

• Discouragement is a reality to the apologist.• You need to understand what your

job is an apologist–To answer questions and

objections and point people to Jesus

So… WorldViews

–What is worldview?• the framework from which we view

reality and make sense of life and the world. “it is the ideology, philosophy, theology, movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God, the world, and man’s relations to God and the world”

So… WorldViews

–What is worldview?• “A world view is a set of beliefs

about the most important issues in life.” – Ronald Nash• Everyone has a world view even if

they cannot explain what it is.

WorldView questions

–Why is there something rather than nothing?–What is the origin of the universe?–Is there a God?–What is the nature of man?–What is the basis of ethics and

morality?

WorldView questions

–Why is there evil and suffering in the world?–How do you know that you know?

Major world views–Theism–Pantheism–Naturalism–Polytheism–Pluralism

Major world views–Theism• There is one God who was and is

involved in lives in a personal way.• Examples: Christianity, Judaism, Islam

Major world views–Pantheism• Pan (meaning all) theos (meaning God)• Everything is God.• Think Star Wars and the “Force”.• Knowledge is getting in touch with the

cosmic consciousness. “Enlightenment.”

Major world views–Naturalism• There is no God.•Material things are all that exist.• Everything can be explained.• Life has no purpose.

Major world views–Polytheism• “Many gods”• Example: Mormonism, Hinduism• Popular in Ancient times – Greeks,

Egyptians, Romans, and other Near East Peoples

Major world views–Pluralism• Cafeteria-style religion – Mix and

Match• Find what works for you.• All “ways” to god are equally valid.

Theism Pantheism Naturalism(Modernism)

Pluralism(Postmodernism)

GOD Personal Impersonal Non-existent Non-existent

WORLD Creation Spiritual Evolution Evolution

MAN Like God Is God Like Animals Like Animals

IMMORTALITY Resurrection Reincarnation Annihilation AnnihilationReincarnation

DESTINY Glorification Absorption Extinction Extinction

AUTHORITY DivineRevelation

SpiritualEnlightenment

Human Reason Culture

TRUTH Absolute Personal Objective/Science

Relative/Cultural

EVIL Rebellion/Sin Illusion Ignorance Culturally Defined

HISTORY Linear Cyclical Chaotic Re-defined

Major world views–Examples• 2+2=???•What if you had been raised a Muslim?• Teaching evolution, instead of ID• You only go around once in life, so go for

all the gusto you can.• There’s nothing wrong with abortion• School children from under-priviledged

homes committing vandilism.

Major world views–So Apologetics helps people

understand a biblical world view–Do you understand a biblical world

view?

Objections to a biblical world view

–Objections to Christianity• Christians say that the Bible is true, but

the original documents have never been found. You only have copies. You can’t know what it said originally, and yet you base your life of these copies.

Objections to a biblical world view

–Objections to Christianity• The Bible says in Genesis that the earth

is 6,000 years old, but science has clearly shown that the universe is >6 billion years old. The Bible must be wrong.

Objections to a biblical world view

–Objections to Christianity• Christians claim to be loving, but they

oppose homosexuals and their equal rights and happiness. How is that loving?

Objections to a biblical world view

–Objections to Christianity• Science clearly shows that life came

about through evolution, but you claim that some intelligent God created everything.

Objections to a biblical world view

–Objections to Christianity• Christians try to impose their moral

standard on everyone, and they shouldn’t do that. Just because something is right for you, don’t mean it is right for me.

Objections to a biblical world view

–Objections to Christianity• God doesn’t exist, because if he did,

there wouldn’t be evil, pain, or suffering. If God is all good and all powerful, he would have to prevent evil.

Objections to a biblical world view

–Objections to Christianity•We can’t fully know if something is

true. It might be true for you. Your faith experience might be true for you, but I have had my own experiences that show me what I know to be true.

Objections to a biblical world view

–Objections to Christianity• Christians believe in the Trinity, which

is 3 beings in 1 being. This is a logical contradiction similar to saying there is a “square circle.”