Evidential or presuppositional apologetics?

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Zacharyb36

Zacharyb36

New member
Sep 22, 2019
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What's your approach and why?

Evidential or presuppositional apologetics?
I lean towards presuppositional, but use evidences as a spotlight on their pre-existing presuppositions they are holding to.

Thanks!
 
Can you tell me what they mean? I will answer after that!
(Keep in mind when explaining, my IQ is about the same as my shoesize)
 
Zacharyb36 said:
Do you believe God's existence is self-evidently true? Or do you believe that you have to use evidence and reason to demonstrate God's existence?
Click to expand...

There's a bit more to it than that.

All varieties of apologetics believe the same scriptures; they just approach things in different ways... this is a bit of a straw man.

And there are more varieties of apologetics than just presuppositional and evidential... presuppositionalists tend to be a bit reductive.


I should probably just walk away, lol.
:)
..
 
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maxwel said:
There's a bit more to it than that.

All varieties of apologetics believe the same scriptures; they just approach things in different ways... this is a bit of a straw man.

And there are more varieties of apologetics than just presuppositional and evidential... presuppositionalists tend to be a bit reductive.


I should probably just walk away, lol.
:)
..
Click to expand...

how so?
 
Zachary,

I'm sure you're a good guy.
And talking about different kinds of apologetics is a perfectly good thing to discuss... all good.
However, it's generally not good form to join this site merely to promote and sell your products.


Promoting your book:
1. You're a brand new member
2. Your first post is the creation of an ENTIRE NEW THREAD, DEVOTED ENTIRELY, to the TOPIC OF YOUR NEW BOOK.
3. You have an Amazon link in your signature, directing people to the Amazon page to purchase your book.
4. You are clearly here to promote your book, and send people to your Amazon link to buy your book.

Policies:
* This is probably a violation of site policies.
* At the very least it's considered bad form.

You should probably talk to the owner, or one of the admins... to see if they feel ok about this.

.






..
 
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maxwel said:
Zachary,

I'm sure you're a good guy.
And talking about different kinds of apologetics is a perfectly good thing to discuss... all good.
However, it's generally not good form to join this site merely to promote and sell your products.


Promoting your book:
1. You're a brand new member
2. Your first post is the creation of an ENTIRE NEW THREAD, DEVOTED ENTIRELY, to the TOPIC OF YOUR NEW BOOK.
3. You have an Amazon link in your signature, directing people to the Amazon page to purchase your book.
4. You are clearly here to promote your book, and send people to your Amazon link to buy your book.

Policies:
* This is probably a violation of site policies.
* At the very least it's considered bad form.

You should probably talk to the owner, or one of the admins... to see if they feel ok about this.

.






..
Click to expand...


I don't understand why you think that's bad form, but to each their own.
 
Zacharyb36 said:
What's your approach and why?

Evidential or presuppositional apologetics?
I lean towards presuppositional, but use evidences as a spotlight on their pre-existing presuppositions they are holding to.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I have no idea what this means. Regardless, glad to have you onboard with us. Welcome to CC.
 
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tourist said:
I have no idea what this means. Regardless, glad to have you onboard with us. Welcome to CC.
Click to expand...

Do you believe that a person comes to believe in God because the power of the evidences persuade their intellect, or do you believe God's existence is self-evidently true and that unbelievers are suppressing this truth?
 
Zacharyb36 said:
Do you believe that a person comes to believe in God because the power of the evidences persuade their intellect, or do you believe God's existence is self-evidently true and that unbelievers are suppressing this truth?
Click to expand...
Thats the thing about it. I believe its the Holy Spirit's job to convict people and Father's job to draw people to Jesus. IT AINT MY JOB. I just PRESENT the Gospel, present the Truth. They take it or leave it.

I leave that up to God, He is the one saving
 
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Zacharyb36 said:
Do you believe that a person comes to believe in God because the power of the evidences persuade their intellect, or do you believe God's existence is self-evidently true and that unbelievers are suppressing this truth?
Click to expand...
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

If you are familiar with apologetics enough to discuss its subdivisions, I am sure you are familiar with this. What is the real point you want to make? Because it's odd to ask about something the Bible is very clear on, and you also seem knowledgeable of...
 
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Zacharyb36 said:
Do you believe that a person comes to believe in God because the power of the evidences persuade their intellect, or do you believe God's existence is self-evidently true and that unbelievers are suppressing this truth?
Click to expand...
Faith is based on evidence that is unseen. I believe that the existence of God is self-evidently true. Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I travel on that flow.
 
Zacharyb36 said:
Do you believe that a person comes to believe in God because the power of the evidences persuade their intellect, or do you believe God's existence is self-evidently true and that unbelievers are suppressing this truth?
Click to expand...

It's both.

Gods existence is self-evidently true in creation.

But not everyone knows it. And some try to give credit to whatever is not God.

The power of the evidence persuades the intellect as well.
 
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Zacharyb36 said:
What's your approach and why?

Evidential or presuppositional apologetics?
I lean towards presuppositional, but use evidences as a spotlight on their pre-existing presuppositions they are holding to.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I believe a combination of all methods can be valuable.

However, I think presuppositional apologetics can be effective to help the person to realize that their thinking is not consistent, and their reasoning is not as well-ordered as they think it is.

By the way, a lot of "evidential apologists" are using weak arguments that incorporate their presuppositions.

However, some people have been saved even based on weak arguments that they find out later are phoney. Still others turn away from their professed faith at some point due to understanding the weakness of the arguments.

In the end, it is God who regenerates people, not pure logic. I believe God uses our thinking abilities to bring us to faith, but ultimately regeneration is what causes people to come to faith (counter to what decisional regenerationists claim).
 
UnitedWithChrist said:
I believe a combination of all methods can be valuable.

However, I think presuppositional apologetics can be effective to help the person to realize that their thinking is not consistent, and their reasoning is not as well-ordered as they think it is.

By the way, a lot of "evidential apologists" are using weak arguments that incorporate their presuppositions.

However, some people have been saved even based on weak arguments that they find out later are phoney. Still others turn away from their professed faith at some point due to understanding the weakness of the arguments.

In the end, it is God who regenerates people, not pure logic. I believe God uses our thinking abilities to bring us to faith, but ultimately regeneration is what causes people to come to faith (counter to what decisional regenerationists claim).
Click to expand...
How do you differ from the people you describe?
 
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