So we can teach, explain, defend, and spread our catholic faith to others. An introduction to apologetics not only makes a strong reasoned case that, at its core, christianity is cogent, but it uses the same approach to reveal how other worldviews are inherently irrational. The defense of the faith is not a luxury or an intellectual vanity. Sep 25, 2009 he focuses on defending the basic truth claims for two of the most crucial issues of apologetics.
Apologetics 101 is designed for laypersons who want to be better equipped to share their faith over the back fence, across the lunch counter, or in the next cubicle. This requires an examination of the evidenceshistorical and rationalfor historic christianity. Course description this course focuses on how to teach the major arguments in support of the christian faith so that people can come to christ in a postmodern world. Apologetics is the work of convincing people to change their views. Sproul sets forth the core claims of faith to reveal just how rational christianity truly is. Apologetics from greek meaning a reasoned defense is the defense of the faith once for all entrusted to the saints jude 3. It is an attempt to persuade the listener to change his beliefs and life to conform to biblical truth and to come to a saving. Christian apologetics is something every true believer should be involved in even if it is only a little. There is a widespread belief that reason and faith are incompatible and opposed to each other. Sproul has a effective understanding of apologetics and its desperate need in this modern era. Charlie campbell, the founder of abr, frequently speaksfree of chargeat churches, conferences, retreats, etc. Every two years we produce a new catalog in both print and electronic editions. Instead, sproul gives an introduction to two basic questions in apologetics. New books continue to be added on a regular basis, so be sure to bookmark this site for your future browsing convenience.
Supposing you had all of your evidences and arguments prepared, are they really going to work on the unbeliever. If youre a seasoned apologist or a skepticatheist that knows the arguments for gods existence well, then please dont look to this book for answers to your questions. Though many of the worlds finest minds hold this view, the bible teaches that it is the fool who says there is no god. But sanctify christ as lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account. Apr 23, 2007 we are talking about offensive apologetics, not offensive apologetics.
Surveying the history and fundamentals of apologetics, this book demonstrates how reason. If youd like to inquire about him speaking at your event, just fill out the form below. From the greek apologia, a legal term meaning defense is the branch of christian theology concerned with the intelligent presentation and defense of the historical christian faith. This comprehensive guidebook provides answers to many common questions regarding the christian faith. The christian faith started with just a handful of disciples following their risen saviors calling, but has grown steadily through peace and persecution, alike. An introduction to apologetics unabridged audiobook, by r.
An introduction to apologetics paperback may 31, 2018. Defending your faith an introduction to apologetics book. Pdf books in addition to our two popular monthly journals, apologetics press also publishes numerous books, tracts, research articles, article reprints, video tapes, audio tapes, and other items. Get to know who the leading apologists are and read their books.
The reasoning, the information, and the responses given to defending your faith is an amazingly well written book, as is practically every sproul book that ive ever read. Reasonable theologys ten most recommended apologetics books include titles from ravi zacharias, lee strobel, greg koukl, norman geisler and other top apologists. R c sproul there is a widespread belief that reason and faith are incompatible and opposed to each other. Sproul surveys the history of apologetics and demonstrates that reason and science are your allies in defending the existence of god and the historical truth claims of jesus christ. Faith is viewed as subjective, emotional, a crutch for those who find the real world too hard.
His book defending your faith, an introduction to apologetics is exactly that. Defending the faith to the best of our ability is not a luxury or an indulgence in intellectual vanity. In this, it is similar to preaching because its goal is ultimately the defense and presentation of the validity and necessity of the gospel. Lecture 2, why apologetics is it necessary to defend your faith. Apologetics is the branch of christianity that deals with the defense and establishment of the christian faith.
Do i trust my judgment and the corporate wisdom of psychologists and psychiatrists over the bible as a source of ultimate truth. Topics include teaching to change lives, expository. Sproul affirms four logical principles that are necessary for all real discussion and teaches you how to defend your faith in a. Sproul surveys the history of apologetics and demonstrates that reason and science are allies in defending the existence of god and the historical truth. Sprouls defending your faith is the book i most frequently refer to when a student wishes to learn more about apologetics when that is not hisher primary discipline. Surveying the history and fundamentals of apologetics, this book demonstrates how reason and scientific inquiry actually support christianitys. This book is a must for any one interested in sharing and defending biblical christinity 8 people found this helpful. The bible is clear that all believers are called to defend their faith. I get this question from time to time, stephen, so i put together a short list of helpful christian apologetics books. But is defending the faith a matter of giving historical and archaeological evidences for the dependability of the bible, or giving rational arguments using the tools of philosophy. Is the bible incapable of lying, erring, and of having.
Sproul is one of the most lucid writers of our time. Sep 01, 2003 though defending your faith is subtitled an introduction to apologetics it is much more than that. This workshop lays the groundwork for defending the christian faith by addressing a number of key questions. The intellectual defense of the truthfulness of christianity. In the speech, paul points to the altar to the unknown god, using the belief system of the greek civilization to show them how jesus christ fills the gap in their faith, and is the better way. Christianity has always been under attack, and god has always raised up apologists to. An introduction to apologetics has 3 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. He does this by first defining apologetics and setting forth the principles of knowledge necessary to embark on apologetic questions.
Though defending your faith is subtitled an introduction to apologetics it is much more than that. Dr paul coulter has a background in medicine, and also holds degrees in theology and genetics. Sproul affirms four logical principles that are necessary for all real discussion and teaches you how to defend your faith in a faithless world. Apologetics is the science and art of presenting reasonable defenses for the truth of christianity. An introduction to apologetics ebook 9781433522796 by r. Without further ado, here are seven things you can do.
More extensive bibliographies are to be found in reasonable faith, after each respective chapter. Answering objections with the power of the word expository apologetics apologetics is for everyone. Though apologetics is a task given to us as christians, and we are to be responsible in the handling of the truth claims of christianity, apologetics may aid in the planting and watering of the seed, but only god can bring forth the increase of faith 1 cor. Some might would use the word oversimplify, but i would disagree and use lucid because he can make things very transparent. Surveying the history and fundamentals of apologetics, this book. As promised, this is a follow up post to help you get started learning how to defend your faith.
Aimed at preparing you to clearly and confidently defend your. Apologetics 101 study curriculum for church and bible studies. Just as good attorneys defend their clients in courts of law by presenting solid evidence and sound reasoning, so too apologists defend the truth of christianity through wellreasoned answers to the. But instead of withdrawing or giving up, i began an in depth study of the field of christian apologetics the defenses of the faith. Despite growing up in the faith, i always had hard questions, and slowly began to accept the secularist premise that i had to shut off my brain as i went into church. There is a widespread belief that reason and faith are incompa. Many apologetic books have been written in defence of the history or teachings of. An introduction to apologetics, new edition 9781433563782 by r. Sproul affirms four logical principles that are necessary for all real discussion and teaches you how to defend your faith in a faithless.
Where does defending your faith rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far. Apologetics for the bible can i trust the bible part 1 can i trust the bible part 2 can i trust the bible part 3 can i trust the bible part 4 can i trust the bible part 5 can i trust the bible part 6 does science disprove. Surveying the history and fundamentals of apologetics, this book demonstrates how reason and scientific inquiry actually support christianitys claimsthus equipping believers to defend the existence of. In defending your faith, sproul aims to set forth, in a brief and nontechnical way, the basic truth claims of christianity, and to show that at its core christianity is rational 7 by looking at the most important issues in apologetics, namely, gods existence and the bibles authority. The word comes from the greek apologia and means to give a defense. Your christian convictions, 10th anniversary edition.
Apologetics provides a rational bridge to gospel iii. Sadly enough many christians barely now the basics of their faith, let alone the. Just as good attorneys defend their clients in courts of law by presenting solid evidence and sound reasoning, so too apologists defend the truth of christianity through wellreasoned answers to the questions of skeptics and seekers alike. Apologetics refers to rational arguments for or justification of something. This bibliography is structured according to the main subdivisions of the field of christian. Or put another way, it is using reason, evidence, and testimony to explain the christian faith. An introduction to apologetics an introduction to apologetics by r. The reasoning, the information, and the responses given to various arguments against christian theism are among the most helpful that i have ever read. It is the task given to each one of us as we bear witness to our faith before the world. The defense of the faith has been required of christians when they faced persecution, but apologetics have also been undertaken in the face. By learning catholic apologetics we also learn more about our faith and become more familiar with the bible. Surveying the history and fundamentals of apologetics, this book demonstrates how reason and scientific inquiry actually support christianitys claimsthus equipping believers to defend the existence of god and the bibles authority. The idea here in offensive apologetics is you are trying to put forward your positive case for why you believe christianity is true.
Apologetics is the religious discipline of defending religious doctrines through systematic argumentation and discourse. After leaving his medical career, he worked for six years for a church in belfast and now lectures full time for belfast bible college. Wanted to read a good book on the subjet since a long time. Sproul clearly and simply argues that at its core christianity is rational. We know of no better introduction to apologetics than r. I bought this book thinking that it would give me a framework and some practical tips on how to defend my faith better. Defending your faith from the classroom to mainstream media, christians regularly find their fundamental beliefs discounted by opponents who consider faith to be incompatible with reason. Apologetics is a very useful means for defending and explaining our catholic faith to others. Apologetics is the study and practice of giving answers for the reasonableness and truth of the christian faith.
The title and the kid with the sword on the cover seem to suggest that. Start here, i recommend, then come back if you want to know more and ill direct you to other writers. There are several reasons why we need to learn and practice apologetics. It is the idea of being on the offense, but we should never be offensive in arguing for the christian faith. The first letter of peter tells its addressees that they must always be prepared to make a defense apologia to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you 3. He was also founding pastor of saint andrews chapel in sanford, florida, first president of reformation bible college, and executive editor oftabletalk magazine. However, if apologetics is the formal process that we have come to expect, this sounds like an impossible task. Also in the book of acts, paul gives a famous argument in acts 17 at the areopagus.
From the classroom to mainstream media, christians regularly find their fundamental beliefs discounted by opponents who consider faith to be incompatible with reason. Surveying the history and fundamentals of apologetics, this book demonstrates how reason and scientific inquiry actually support christianitys claimsthus equipping believers to defend the existence. He focuses on defending the basic truth claims for two of the most crucial issues of apologetics. Second, studying apologetics helps us to know our faith. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth. Though many of the worlds finest minds hold this view, the bible teaches that it is the fool who says there. Sproul deals with the sacred scriptures and the question of whether the content of this book is omniscient, infallible, and completely incorruptible and righteous. Someone from abr will be in touch with you shortly. Introduction to apologetics defenders reasonable faith.
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