Apologetics

[Capt. Mike]

First, what is the definition for Apologetics? Second, does either the Old Testament or the New Testament use this word "Apologetics"? Third, does any of the New Testament writers outline a system of "Apologetics" for defending the faith?

[Dr. Jerry]

The Greek word apologia was originally used of ‘a speech of defense’ or ‘an answer given in reply.’ In ancient Athens it referred to a defense made in the courtroom as part of the normal judicial procedure. After the accusation, the defendant was allowed to make a defense or reply (apologia) to refute the charges. The accused would attempt to "speak away" (apo--away, logia--speech) the accusation. This word appears eight times in the New Testament, and both the noun (apologia) and verb form (apolegeomai) can be translated "defense" or "answer" in every case:

• Acts 22:1—"Brethren and fathers, hear my defense"
• Acts 25:16—"an opportunity to make his defense against the charges"
• 1 Corinthians 9:3—"My defense to those who examine me is this"
• 2 Corinthians 7:11—"what vindication [defense] of your- selves"
• Philippians 1:7—"since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel"
• Philippians 1:16—"I am appointed for the defense of the gospel"
• 2 Timothy 4:16—"At my first defense no one supported me"
• 1 Peter 3:15—"always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you"

The New Testament does not use this word in the technical sense it later came to denote. No specific system of apologetics is outlined in the
Old Testament or the New Testament.

In Crucial Questions in Apologetics, Mark M. Hanna provides what appears to be the most satisfactory definition:

“the concern of apologetics is to commend the Christian faith to non-Christians by exhibiting its intelligibility and credibility, especially in response to objections and criticism directed at its most fundamental premises.”

[Dr. Jerry]

These terms need to be defined:

• Atheism • Agnosticism • Monism • Dualism • Deism • Gnosticism • Mithraism • Naturalism • Humanism • Existentialisms • Pane theism
• Nihilism •Theism

[Dr. Jerry]

In his Varieties of Christian Apologetics, Bernard Ramm lists ten critical issues to which every apologist must speak. These ten typical problems of Christian apologetics are as follows:

1. What is the relationship between philosophy and Christianity?
2. What is the value of theistic proofs?
3. Must the apologist work with some theory of truth?
4. What is the importance of the doctrine of sin for apologetics?
5. What is the character of revelation?
6. What kind of certainty does Christianity offer?
7. Is there a common ground between believers and unbelievers which forms a point
of contact for conversation and argumentation?
8. What is the character of faith?
9. What is the status of Christian evidences?
10. What is the relationship between faith and reason?

[BLP]

Dr. Jerry,
I am currently reading "Warranted Christian Belief" by Alvin Plantinga which addresses most of those questions. He shows, from an epistemic analysis, how belief in Christianity is justified, rational, and warranted. It is a long but interesting read.

[Dr. Jerry]

Dear BLP,

Be careful, I beleve Dr. Alvin Plantinga is an "Open Theist". His books are not an easy read. Some good earlier books from Alvin Plantinga are "God and Other Minds" (1967), and "The Ontological Argument " (1965). Two of my favorites are from Bernard Ramm "Varieties of Christian Apologetics" (1962), and "Problems in Christian Apologetics" (1949).

[BLP]

Thank you Dr. Jerry,
I haven't read anything that would lead me to believe he is an open theist. He uses an Aquinas/Calvin model in his apologetic strategy. But I will be careful. I look forward to reading those other books. God bless.

[nolsen]

What is wrong with Open Theism? Based on what little I've read, it seems decent.

[Montster]

For one thing, God is not omniscient. He doesn't know the future, therefore God learns. Therefore, He's not the God of the Bible.