How many apologetics fans are here?

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K

KrisWampler

Guest
#1
#1
Anyone else interested in apologetics? Who is your favorite apologist, and what topics do you like?

I had the honor of meeting the late Norman Geisler when he spoke to my alma mater (UNC) in 2003. I’m also personal friends with Frank Turek though it’s been a minute since I’ve spoken with him. Currently I’m reading works by both of them, including (and I love the title) “I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist.” Their works are accessible and comprehensive.

William Lane Craig is another good one. I mostly know him through other people’s works but I’d like to get my hands on his book “Reasonable Faith.”

The cosmological argument for God is my favorite and probably the one I know best. Lately I’ve gotten more into studying the reliability of biblical Scripture as well.

Churches should do more to promote apologetics. Even to a believer it can be a useful and particularly interesting topic.
 
Aerials1978

Aerials1978

Well-known member
#2
Dec 10, 2019
1,707
987
113
#2
KrisWampler said:
Anyone else interested in apologetics? Who is your favorite apologist, and what topics do you like?

I had the honor of meeting the late Norman Geisler when he spoke to my alma mater (UNC) in 2003. I’m also personal friends with Frank Turek though it’s been a minute since I’ve spoken with him. Currently I’m reading works by both of them, including (and I love the title) “I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist.” Their works are accessible and comprehensive.

William Lane Craig is another good one. I mostly know him through other people’s works but I’d like to get my hands on his book “Reasonable Faith.”

The cosmological argument for God is my favorite and probably the one I know best. Lately I’ve gotten more into studying the reliability of biblical Scripture as well.

Churches should do more to promote apologetics. Even to a believer it can be a useful and particularly interesting topic.
Click to expand...
I like apologetics and I have leaned quite a bit. Some of the apologists I listen to are James White, Jeff Durbin, and Frank Turek.
 
Dino246

Dino246

Senior Member
#3
Jun 30, 2015
25,411
13,754
113
#3
I've done a fair bit of reading/listening on the subject. Turek is pretty good. Nabeel Qureshi was really solid until cancer took him home. I find Craig to be too pedantic and cerebral, though intellectually he's solid. Lately I've been appreciating J. Warner Wallace and some of the creationist ministries (Answers in Genesis, Is Genesis History, NW Creation Network, etc.). White and Durbin are also solid in this field.
 
K

KrisWampler

Guest
#5
#5
K

KrisWampler

Guest
#6
#6
pittsburghjoe

pittsburghjoe

Banned
#7
Jan 21, 2021
2,852
318
83
#7
If atheists understood that the Mandelbrot Set is baked into Math and Logic ...they wouldn't be atheists anymore.

This guy is Christian talking about it:

 
Diakonos

Diakonos

Well-known member
#8
Jan 19, 2019
1,381
434
83
31
Anacortes, WA
#8
KrisWampler said:
Anyone else interested in apologetics? Who is your favorite apologist, and what topics do you like?

I had the honor of meeting the late Norman Geisler when he spoke to my alma mater (UNC) in 2003. I’m also personal friends with Frank Turek though it’s been a minute since I’ve spoken with him. Currently I’m reading works by both of them, including (and I love the title) “I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist.” Their works are accessible and comprehensive.

William Lane Craig is another good one. I mostly know him through other people’s works but I’d like to get my hands on his book “Reasonable Faith.”

The cosmological argument for God is my favorite and probably the one I know best. Lately I’ve gotten more into studying the reliability of biblical Scripture as well.

Churches should do more to promote apologetics. Even to a believer it can be a useful and particularly interesting topic.
Click to expand...
Yes, I love studying and implementing apologetics! Apologetics is how I got into studying the Bible. It has been an important pillar in my ultimate pursuit of the Truth. I also benefit from W. L. Craig and F. Turek, but Ravi Zacharias has always been my favorite apologist. Every prominent Bible teacher has a specific area of expertise. So depending on the category of knowledge, I am studying, I will consult with different teachers.
 
Dino246

Dino246

Senior Member
#9
Jun 30, 2015
25,411
13,754
113
#9
pittsburghjoe said:
If atheists understood that the Mandelbrot Set is baked into Math and Logic ...they wouldn't be atheists anymore.

This guy is Christian talking about it:
Click to expand...
Remember that non-Christians aren't merely ignorant. Rather, they actively reject God. This is clearly taught in Romans 1.
 
wattie

wattie

Senior Member
#11
Feb 24, 2009
3,230
1,126
113
New Zealand
#11
KrisWampler said:
Anyone else interested in apologetics? Who is your favorite apologist, and what topics do you like?

I had the honor of meeting the late Norman Geisler when he spoke to my alma mater (UNC) in 2003. I’m also personal friends with Frank Turek though it’s been a minute since I’ve spoken with him. Currently I’m reading works by both of them, including (and I love the title) “I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist.” Their works are accessible and comprehensive.

William Lane Craig is another good one. I mostly know him through other people’s works but I’d like to get my hands on his book “Reasonable Faith.”

The cosmological argument for God is my favorite and probably the one I know best. Lately I’ve gotten more into studying the reliability of biblical Scripture as well.

Churches should do more to promote apologetics. Even to a believer it can be a useful and particularly interesting topic.
Click to expand...
I like apologetics. I have Evidence that Demands a Verdict 2017 edition and that is very comprehensive.

I had the case for Christ, Case or Christmas and Case for Faith by Lee Strobel.

Reading this kind of evidences got me more fundamental about the faith..more serious.

As long as you put reading the Word first though. This stuff will back it up, but not replace it
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

Senior Member
#12
Sep 4, 2013
30,677
6,866
113
#12
KrisWampler said:
Anyone else interested in apologetics? Who is your favorite apologist, and what topics do you like?
Click to expand...
Well, I guess the Canadians are my favorite apologists. Shoot! They apologize for everything!
 
Aaron56

Aaron56

Well-known member
#14
Jul 12, 2021
2,799
1,599
113
#14
I used to be deeply into apologetics, Lee Strobel et. al.

A couple things moved me away from it, not that it is something to be avoided or wrong, I just lost interest.

1. Realizing that a cognitive acceptance of Christ is a weak foundation. I moved away from the Roman Road, the pillars of the gospel, etc. after seeing that an intellectual reason to follow Christ was more about responding to doubters than a contrite heart.
2. Realizing there are no non-believers, only un-believers by which I mean people actively remain unbelieving after evidence to the contrary. This understanding has produced much fruit: For a person to whom I'm witnessing, I already know they have evidence that God is real, He is revealed in creation. So, my position changed from "Now, here's why you should believe!" to "Why are you resisting the One who knows you?" People usually have a reason connected to some betrayal or pain or even religious abuse or neglect. At this moment, the Spirit typically shows me their story so that I can begin speaking their thoughts to them before they share them with me. This is done as further proof that He knows them and has been with them in all their days.
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
#15
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,773
113
#15
KrisWampler said:
Churches should do more to promote apologetics.
Click to expand...
I would disagree. Churches should do more to simply preach the full and true Gospel. Even here you will find that many do not really understand the ramifications of the Gospel.
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
#16
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,773
113
#16
p_rehbein said:
Well, I guess the Canadians are my favorite apologists. Shoot! They apologize for everything!
Click to expand...
Not after the Canadian truckers Freedom Convoy. Are you following the true reporting or listening to the nonsense and smears put out by the lying media? American Ron Paul says "We are all Canadian truckers now!"
 
wattie

wattie

Senior Member
#17
Feb 24, 2009
3,230
1,126
113
New Zealand
#17
Aaron56 said:
I used to be deeply into apologetics, Lee Strobel et. al.

A couple things moved me away from it, not that it is something to be avoided or wrong, I just lost interest.

1. Realizing that a cognitive acceptance of Christ is a weak foundation. I moved away from the Roman Road, the pillars of the gospel, etc. after seeing that an intellectual reason to follow Christ was more about responding to doubters than a contrite heart.
2. Realizing there are no non-believers, only un-believers by which I mean people actively remain unbelieving after evidence to the contrary. This understanding has produced much fruit: For a person to whom I'm witnessing, I already know they have evidence that God is real, He is revealed in creation. So, my position changed from "Now, here's why you should believe!" to "Why are you resisting the One who knows you?" People usually have a reason connected to some betrayal or pain or even religious abuse or neglect. At this moment, the Spirit typically shows me their story so that I can begin speaking their thoughts to them before they share them with me. This is done as further proof that He knows them and has been with them in all their days.
Click to expand...
Yes it is a thing that most people in the West would have heard of Jesus, and like you say .. God reveals who He is from his attributes being clearly revealed thru creation.

It does change things when witnessing. Altho I wouldn't go to the point of saying the sinners prayer does nothing. Roman's 10 shows someone under conviction praying to receive salvation from Jesus.

Course there is the 'repeat these words after me' type of thing for witnessing.. and there is no conviction in that.. no waiting on God to stir someone up.
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#18
#18
Dino246 said:
Remember that non-Christians aren't merely ignorant. Rather, they actively reject God. This is clearly taught in Romans 1.
Click to expand...
Nonsense
 
K

KrisWampler

Guest
#20
#20
pottersclay said:
Are apologetics necessary?
Click to expand...
It’s useful for witnessing to many who might not otherwise consider turning their lives to Christ. Apologetics doesn’t save you or “prove” Jesus is the one and only Way, and anyone who goes about it with that mindset is doing it incorrectly. Rather, it can - when employed effectively - remove intellectual hurdles that someone had to believing in God, miracles, etc. The Holy Spirit has to take it from there.

It can also strengthen one’s faith. I have personal experience with this.
 
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