Christian Apologetics Defending Your Faith: Christian Apologetics

1 Peter 3:15-16 “But in your hearts set apart 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, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

What is apologetics? the branch of theology having to do with the defense and proofs of Christianity from Greek apologëtikos, meaning “suitable for defense”

Why? The culture is anti-Christian. Belief that everybody determines their own morality, meaning there are no moral absolutes Christians, and not people of other religions, are labeled as intolerant, bigoted, and old-fashioned, and as hypocrites

Why? Many people don’t know the Bible or Christianity. People who attack Christianity and Christians do not always have all the facts. Christians need to be able to explain the main principles of Christianity to non-believers. It’s helpful to know the differences between Christianity and other religions and spiritual ideas.

Why? You may be able to persuade others about the truth of Christianity, especially those who haven’t made up their mind yet or made up their mind based on flawed information. Most importantly, you will have a firm basis for you own beliefs when people challenge or attack them.

What is a worldview? Literally your view of the world Think of it as your “mental map” that tells you how to “navigate the world effectively.” (Total Truth, p.23)

Truth or truth? Western culture divides truth into two categories, heart versus brain.

Truth Divided Heart ___________________ Brain

____________________ Truth Divided Private Sphere Personal Preferences ____________________ Public Sphere Scientific Knowledge

_____________________ Truth Divided Values Individual Choice _____________________ Facts Binding on Everyone

Truth Divided Upper Story __________________________ Lower Story Nonrational, Noncognitive __________________________ Lower Story Rational, Verifiable

Truth Divided Postmodernism _____________________________ Modernism Subjective, Relative to Particular Groups _____________________________ Modernism Objective, Universally Valid

Truth Unified “Christianity is not a series of truths in the plural, but rather truth spelled with a capital ‘T.’ Biblical Christianity is Truth concerning total reality – and the intellectual holding of that total Truth and then living in the light of that Truth.” Francis Shaeffer

John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Outline for Future Weeks Why trust the Bible? Creation versus Intelligent Design versus Evolution Is Jesus who the Bible says He is? How does Christianity compare to other religions and spiritual ideas? Other common questions from non-believers