Week 1 Review

From Last week… 1. 1 Peter 3:15 is not the only verse that uses the word “apologia”. Using a concordance or the Internet, find another verse where apologia is used. What does apologia mean in this verse? How does that relate to our definition of apologetics?

From Last week… 2. Why do you think some Christians today avoid the study of apologetics? What reasons would you give to encourage someone to study apologetics?

From Last week… 3. While speaking to the crowd in Athens in Acts 17:28, Paul quotes Epimenides and Aratus, two Greek (pagan) philosophers. Why would Paul quote pagans while presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ? How could you use this approach when speaking to a non-Christian (for example, a Muslim) today?

Logic and Evidence Tools of the Trade

“… a reason for the hope…” 1 Pet 3:15 Greek λόγος  “logos” “reasoning expressed by words” “the expression of a thought” Sound familiar? Logic! Logic traces back to the beginning 1 John 1:1 λόγος ὁ “The Logos” “…used of Christ, expressing the thoughts of the Father through the Spirit”  God is logical!

A logical argument… (ex. Socrates) Logical Arguments A logical argument… (ex. Socrates) Has a premise (or premises) A statement or declaration Has a conclusion Does not involve emotions (anger, etc.) This is how we give our reason (“logos”)

Deductive (philosophical) Inductive (scientific/historical) Two types of Reasoning Deductive (philosophical) If premises are true, conclusion MUST be true Inductive (scientific/historical) If premises are true, conclusion is PROBABLY true This is important when dealing with evidences

Logical Fallacies The strawman Argument ad hominem Appeal to pity Replaces the argument with another Argument ad hominem Attacks the person’s character Appeal to pity Uses emotion instead of logic

Strawman Example First cause argument What’s the problem? Everything that exists has a cause. God exists. God must have a cause. What’s the problem?

The hypocrite argument Ad Hominem Example The hypocrite argument Some Christians are hypocrites. Therefore, Christianity can’t be true. What’s the problem? Ex. Hitler & Ghandi

Appeal to Pity Ex. Luke 9:59 What’s the problem? I want to follow you. But first, I want to bury my father. What’s the problem?

Tips for Effective Arguments Stay in control Ask questions Ask for explanations Make them defend themselves, too! Avoid red herrings Common tactic to change subjects

Questions for next week 1. Read Deuteronomy 30:15-19 and rewrite Moses’s statement as a logical argument.

Questions for next week 2. What logical fallacy does Jesus refer to in Matthew 11:19?

Questions for next week 3. Read Matthew 7:3, Mark 4:21, and Luke 5:23. What do we see about Jesus’s approach to teaching in these verses? Why would he take this approach?