Apologetics, who is a fan?

[eugenius]

Who around here likes apologetics? I am a major fan, and have been listening to people like Ravi Zacharias, JP Moreland, Phil Fernandez, John Lennox, Alister McGrath, William Lane Craig, and others for a few years. These folks constantly debate atheists like Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens. They constantly go to universities and give lectures and answer the questions of students or anyone else. They answer the tough questions the best they can and defend our faith.

I think its very interesting to hear both sides of the argument. If you can answer the tough questions your faith will increase. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Christianity has a rational basis behind it and is not based on blind faith. After listening to these people for a few years I am now more convinced than ever that Christianity has better historical, rational, and scientific reasons for being true than any other religion out there. I am not afraid to say this.

 

[Bornfromabove]

I have no problems with apologetic's, but you cant argue someone into believing, because its not a mind issue, its a heart issue. If someone is spiritually blind, no argument in the world will convince them no matter how logical it may be.

 

[eugenius]

I have no problems with apologetic's, but you cant argue someone into believing, because its not a mind issue, its a heart issue. If someone is spiritually blind, no argument in the world will convince them no matter how logical it may be.

While I do agree with you that the heart is important, there needs to be a balance.

Also, if you have ever gone out into the real world, most people think us Christians are crazy. How are we to evangelize if we can't explain to people why we believe what we believe.

Its not enough to say, I feel Jesus in my heart. To them, it sounds like you are saying "I know and feel that a purple unicorn loves me and wants the best for me in my heart" We need to explain how what we believe is different than the nonsense that other religions believe.

Jesus gave us proofs. Many proofs. Physical proofs. He knew we would need these proofs to believe. We should not be afraid to explain what these proofs are to people.

Ultimately there is a connection between the mind and heart. I believe in my mind first and then believe with the heart. If you reverse the process and believe with the heart first, you are liable to believe stuff that cults believe.

The general motto of apologetics is Peter 3:15.

But in your hearts revere 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.

 

[Bornfromabove]

While I do agree with you that the heart is important, there needs to be a balance.

Also, if you have ever gone out into the real world, most people think us Christians are crazy. How are we to evangelize if we can't explain to people why we believe what we believe.

Its not enough to say, I feel Jesus in my heart. To them, it sounds like you are saying "I know and feel that a purple unicorn loves me and wants the best for me in my heart" We need to explain how what we believe is different than the nonsense that other religions believe.

Jesus gave us proofs. Many proofs. Physical proofs. He knew we would need these proofs to believe. We should not be afraid to explain what these proofs are to people.

The general motto of apologetics is Peter 3:15.

I agree that there should be a balance, but there comes a point when you have to recognize that someone is just spiritually blind, and you would be better off debating with a tree.

Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

 

[eugenius]

I agree that there should be a balance, but there comes a point when you have to recognize that someone is just spiritually blind, and you would be better off debating with a tree.

Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Yep, youre right, I have seen both sides. I have seen people who are so spiritual they are ready to believe anything, like cults for example, and people who are so rational they won't believe until they can put their fingers through his holes like Thomas. As with everything in this world, there needs to be a balance.

 

[titus211]

Defending false Christianity against the other cults? Seems like a waste of time.

 

[eugenius]

Defending false Christianity against the other cults? Seems like a waste of time.

My friend, its okay that you feel this way. Trust me I understand. I don't hate people for not believing. In fact that is what apologetics is all about. Why not swallow your pride and listen to what Mr. Ravi Zacharias has to say? Or Dr. John Lennox.

Ravi Zacharias: What Does It Mean To Be Human? Part 1 - YouTube

John Lennox - Is Anything Worth Believing In? - The Veritas Forum - YouTube

Quick bio on both of them:

John Lennox is Professor of Mathematics[1] at the University of Oxford, Fellow in Mathematics, Philosophy of Science and Pastoral Advisor at Green Templeton College of Oxford University.

Ravi Zacharias is an Indian-born, Canadian-American evangelical Christian apologist. Zacharias is the author of numerous Christian books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner Can Man Live Without God?[1] and bestsellers Light in the Shadow of Jihad[2] and The Grand Weaver.[3] He is the founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, host of the radio programs Let My People Think and Just Thinking, and visiting professor at Wycliffe Hall of Oxford, where he teaches apologetics and evangelism.[4] Zacharias studied as a visiting scholar at Cambridge University and held the chair in Evangelism and Contemporary Thought at Alliance Theological Seminary from 1981 to 1984.[5] Commentator Chuck Colson referred to Zacharias as "the great apologist of our time."

 

[titus211]

My friend, its okay that you feel this way. Trust me I understand. I don't hate people for not believing. In fact that is what apologetics is all about. Why not swallow your pride and listen to what Mr. Ravi Zacharias has to say? Or Dr. John Lennox.

Ravi Zacharias: What Does It Mean To Be Human? Part 1 - YouTube

John Lennox - Is Anything Worth Believing In? - The Veritas Forum - YouTube

Quick bio on both of them:

John Lennox is Professor of Mathematics[1] at the University of Oxford, Fellow in Mathematics, Philosophy of Science and Pastoral Advisor at Green Templeton College of Oxford University.

Ravi Zacharias is an Indian-born, Canadian-American evangelical Christian apologist. Zacharias is the author of numerous Christian books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner Can Man Live Without God?[1] and bestsellers Light in the Shadow of Jihad[2] and The Grand Weaver.[3] He is the founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, host of the radio programs Let My People Think and Just Thinking, and visiting professor at Wycliffe Hall of Oxford, where he teaches apologetics and evangelism.[4] Zacharias studied as a visiting scholar at Cambridge University and held the chair in Evangelism and Contemporary Thought at Alliance Theological Seminary from 1981 to 1984.[5] Commentator Chuck Colson referred to Zacharias as "the great apologist of our time."

Ravi Z is a FALSE teacher!!!

 

[eugenius]

Ravi Z is a FALSE teacher!!!

Please reiterate on why, my friend. I can make any statement with three exclamation marks because I feel like it, but it would not make my statement true.

 

[Nancyer]

I too enjoy apologetics, as I am new to Christianity and don't have all the answers (and never will I know). I have not heard of the teachers you mention, but have listened to Bob Dukko, on KBRT radio here in Southern California (Mon - Fri, 5 - 6 pm, 740 am). He is big on apologetics. My son, 17, likes him too, but still has questions on Bob's explanations which I think is good. I'll look into those you mentioned. Thank you.

 

[Abiding]

Apologetics id also believe is a waste on time for most infidels.
Now call it building up that saints and now i love it. Add the gospel
to it and you have a type of evangelism with power. But trying to
convince someone their is a God.....well didnt work for the angels,
the children of Israel, not those who seen Jesus raise someone from the
dead or even His resurrection, had no effect on most.

 

[jimmydiggs]

I would be careful about Phil Fernandes and William Lane Craig. You have to be very discerning with the two. Craig for example, brings in a philosophical view of God's sovereignty rather than a biblical one called: Molinism.


Also I would caution against trying to find scientific or rationalistic explanations for certain things. I see a lot of people try to give scientific explanations concerning Genesis 1-3, and you simply can't do that. Trying to give a naturalistic explanation to a non-natural event, is a category error. It would be like trying to explain the Resurrection of Christ on the basis of the Laws of Nature. Miracle is no longer a Miracle in the standard sense, it just becomes the unexpected.


Also, you can't reason a person into the Kingdom of God. Believe me, I've tried.

Another problem with the ones you have cited (which are good apologists in certain areas, no doubt), is that they rely heavily on trying to "prove" the existence of God to people, when the bible says that they already know God exists.

 

[Dude653]

Doesnt it say in the book of Hebrews to always be ready with an answer as to why you believe?

 

[Tombo]

Defending false Christianity against the other cults? Seems like a waste of time.

I don't quite get your reply. Do you mean false forms of Christianity, or that Christianity itself is false? I see that you put Christian in your profile, so I assume it's the former.
God bless.

Tom

 

[shawntc]

Apologetics showed me that there are in fact logical trains of reason to believe that God exists and that Jesus Christ was a real person who lived, died, and resurrected. It literally saved me from giving up on the faith. I think it's pretty awesome stuff, and I'm always eager to learn more.

 

[sllhouette]

Who around here likes apologetics? I am a major fan, and have been listening to people like Ravi Zacharias, JP Moreland, Phil Fernandez, John Lennox, Alister McGrath, William Lane Craig, and others for a few years. These folks constantly debate atheists like Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens. They constantly go to universities and give lectures and answer the questions of students or anyone else. They answer the tough questions the best they can and defend our faith.

I think its very interesting to hear both sides of the argument. If you can answer the tough questions your faith will increase. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Christianity has a rational basis behind it and is not based on blind faith. After listening to these people for a few years I am now more convinced than ever that Christianity has better historical, rational, and scientific reasons for being true than any other religion out there. I am not afraid to say this.

YES! The Christian faith, (and the jewish faith) are based upon REASON!

I always enjoy it when I find people who that take that approach.

I myself listen to Catholic Answers. It is awesome to hear atheists and protestants call in with questions and here them proclaim the gospel in a straightforward and rational way.

 

[rainacorn]

What's funny about apologetics is that it can often be like the word of God itself- it doesn't always make sense to unbelievers, but to a believer it seems air tight!

I recall reading a lot of CS Lewis and other books when I had strayed in the attempt of coming back. It was some of the most confusing, convoluted nonsense I had ever read. He makes amazing leaps of logic. I picked those books up again once I was in a better relationship with Christ and suddenly it all made sense and I could totally see how he got from one point to another.

I study apologetics so I can talk to atheists that are trapped in their own minds. They can't read anything without just seeing a string of fallacies and the result is that their comprehension is REALLY low. It takes a lot of work to get through to them and often a number of strategies and arguments. You can't talk an atheist into being a believer, but if you can just get them to stop hating and disrespecting believers, you're on the right track, I think. You can help change their minds about some things, but God will have to change their hearts.

Learning apologetics and studying these things has been beneficial in other ways. I teach Sunday School and kids are always asking questions that really make me kinda sad. Even in like 5th grade, they're encountering people who attack Christianity and make flippant remarks about it, sometimes in their own families. This one younger girl said her father is mad at God and has become an atheist. She's always showing up with questions about the authenticity of the Bible and historical information about Jesus and a million other things. She wants to be absolutely sure that she's right about Jesus. She was only recently baptized and you can see the stress on her face when she brings it up.

I'm able to answer their questions and arm them with responses.

This is the world today.

 

[eugenius]

What's funny about apologetics is that it can often be like the word of God itself- it doesn't always make sense to unbelievers, but to a believer it seems air tight!

I recall reading a lot of CS Lewis and other books when I had strayed in the attempt of coming back. It was some of the most confusing, convoluted nonsense I had ever read. He makes amazing leaps of logic. I picked those books up again once I was in a better relationship with Christ and suddenly it all made sense and I could totally see how he got from one point to another.

I study apologetics so I can talk to atheists that are trapped in their own minds. They can't read anything without just seeing a string of fallacies and the result is that their comprehension is REALLY low. It takes a lot of work to get through to them and often a number of strategies and arguments. You can't talk an atheist into being a believer, but if you can just get them to stop hating and disrespecting believers, you're on the right track, I think. You can help change their minds about some things, but God will have to change their hearts.

Learning apologetics and studying these things has been beneficial in other ways. I teach Sunday School and kids are always asking questions that really make me kinda sad. Even in like 5th grade, they're encountering people who attack Christianity and make flippant remarks about it, sometimes in their own families. This one younger girl said her father is mad at God and has become an atheist. She's always showing up with questions about the authenticity of the Bible and historical information about Jesus and a million other things. She wants to be absolutely sure that she's right about Jesus. She was only recently baptized and you can see the stress on her face when she brings it up.

I'm able to answer their questions and arm them with responses.

This is the world today.

I find it funny how her dad became an atheist because he is angry at God and not because he stopped believing that Christianity is true. Its like, I'm mad at you God so I will stop believing in you to make you angry. God is quite amused by such a thing I'm sure. It makes no logical sense and is really quite silly.

I have been mad at God many times, but I always remember the parable of the sower.

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

I always hope my seeds are in the good ground, and wont let the trials of this life make me stop believing.

 

[BigFriendlyApologist]

Who around here likes apologetics? I am a major fan, and have been listening to people like Ravi Zacharias, JP Moreland, Phil Fernandez, John Lennox, Alister McGrath, William Lane Craig, and others for a few years. These folks constantly debate atheists like Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens. They constantly go to universities and give lectures and answer the questions of students or anyone else. They answer the tough questions the best they can and defend our faith.

I think its very interesting to hear both sides of the argument. If you can answer the tough questions your faith will increase. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Christianity has a rational basis behind it and is not based on blind faith. After listening to these people for a few years I am now more convinced than ever that Christianity has better historical, rational, and scientific reasons for being true than any other religion out there. I am not afraid to say this.

Since you told me about this thread I decided to post here in support. As given by my name, I love apologetics. I feel that many Christians use blind believing over faith. Faith in the Greek is pis'tis with a meaning closer to trust. Trust is something we work on and also involves evidence. The heart is important to be sure but I will be honest and blatantly say that without apologetics, I would not have returned to Christianity.

 

[CT]

I just published an E-book on Amazon called "Christianity for the Average Joe" that is written from an apologetics perspective. It's written as a conversational explanation of the basic beliefs of Christianity and targeted towards non-Christians. I'd be interested in your feedback on it.

Christianity For The Average Joe: Chip Tudor: Amazon.com: Kindle Store