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Lesson OneWhat is Apologetics?4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson TwoArguments from Design4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson ThreeMoral Argument4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson FourIdentity of Jesus4 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson FiveChristianity and Other Religions4 Activities1 Assessment
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Course Wrap-UpCourse Completion1 Activity1 Assessment
Participants 349
Discussion Questions
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Give a couple of examples from 1 Peter 3:15–16 as to why and how we should embrace apologetics in our faith journey.
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We have been commissioned by Christ to do the work of ministry, and Peter is telling us to not react to persecution with a fight, but in the light of our Lord and Savior. We need to set aside a place of honor for our Lord in our hearts in order to be prepared to present why we believe even in the face of adversity. This is to be our witness, and our story. Why do we believe, well let me tell you a story of hope, love, and grace.
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In 1 Peter 3:15-16 I like that Peter when he is talking to the church he is telling them to not be afraid of confrontation but to “revere Christ as Lord.” He goes on to say that we need to be prepared to give answers but to do so with gentleness and respect with a clear conscience.
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Why we should embrace apologetics seems clear cut to me: to share the gospel of salvation in the most effective way possible.
To accomplish this according to 1 Peter: orient yourself towards Christ and strive to emulate him in all your ways. My behavior should show the hope I’ve found in God through Christ.
I need to be prepared to share my reason for hope clearly, in a kind and gentle way.
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The why I think we should embrace apologetics because it helps us prepare to answer that question, it strengthens our faith and helps us solidify our belief. Then our answer will seem reasonable and coherent. How we embrace apologetics should come from a love and conviction of our faith. The gospel is the reason for the hope we have inside. I am convinced that Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life, I should be able to provide convincing evidence for the reason I am in love.
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I’ve provided a couple examples below.
- The Why: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
- The How: “But do this [being prepared to give an answer] with gentleness and respect….”<sup style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-family: inherit; color: inherit;”> </sup>
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How is Christianity more than just a worldview? Provide some examples.
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A worldview is a “philosophical synopsis of a particular belief system” — it does not necessarily imply action or any sort of heart change. If someone is to become a Christian, they become a new creation in Christ — their heart MUST change. Becoming a Christian demands actionable changes in one’s life.
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God is personal, and is differentiated from other beings, from nature and the universe. Christianity is a person “Jesus Christ” and not a religion. Only one creator for all
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Christ gave his life on the cross so that all can have a personal relationship with God if you truly believe in his Son. God stands above all, nature and the universe. He is our creator and all that we see and do not see.
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Christianity should be life changing. If God is truly in your heart this will change how you act. Whereas, a worldview is how you see the ‘issues’ of the world.
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Christianity is more than just a worldview which is essentially the glass through which we look to see the world. Christianity involves a personal relationship with Christ, seeking to follow Him and to serve Him, reaching out to non-believers and sharing Him with them. Christianity involves active participation in the faith we claim to have. Yes, we see the world through the context of scripture and who Jesus is, but we also express our faith through actions which bring Him honor and glory.
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What is a simple explanation of apologetics? What is apologetics not?
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‘explained this earlier, but to look at it, again, DEFENDING THE FAITH against the fallen world-system.
It is, in no way, “apologizing” for Christianity. By His grace, we stand for Truth without apology (Ephesians 6:13). -
Apologetics is defending the Christian Faith, a sound defense of Christianity based on the Truth of God’s Word. It is NOT an apology for what the born-again individual believes.
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Apologetics is defending christianity as objective truth. It is not getting rid of all questions or mysteries about the christian faith.
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As a Christian I want be able to explain or give a reason for what I believe in the Christ Faith.
And I make know apologies for what I believe. -
Apologetics is having a reasonable and thoughtful defense or answer to our faith in Jesus Christ. It is diving into the word and studying so that we can provide answers for our faith. It is not, apologizing for our beliefs. It is not given without respect and love for the one with questions.
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What is the purpose of defending truth?
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To help guide and direct nonbelievers to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
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True statements correspond or match reality. The purpose of defending the truth is to give account that what we believe is not false, is objectively true, compellingly rational and pertinent to life. In summary the Christianity we defend are our creeds and confessions, theology, and worldview.
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We can’t have an accurate view of the world if we are willing to allow our perception of reality to be shaped by lies. It is imperative that we seek the truth and are unwavering in our adherence to it even when the world around us tries to present us with a different “truth” that, according to them, we should believe instead of the real, objective Truth.
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he purpose of defending truth in apologetics is to provide a rational defense of the Christian faith and to give a response to objections and questions about the faith. Apologetics is the branch of theology that focuses on providing a rational defense of the Christian faith. It aims to give evidence and arguments to show that the Christian faith is reasonable and can be supported by facts and evidence. The goal of apologetics is to provide a persuasive case for the truth of Christianity and to help people see that faith is not just a matter of blind faith, but a reasonable belief based on evidence. Therefore, the purpose of defending truth in apologetics is to equip believers with the knowledge and tools necessary to articulate and defend the Christian faith in a convincing way.
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is this not part of our commission. How can we not defend the truth of Christ- who He is and What He has done to bring salvation to all man kind. To not be in constant defense of the truth would be to deny God. also in defending truth, we help bring the lost to Christ.
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Why does Dr. Groothuis use the “cumulative case” as his apologetic method for Christianity?
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The more evidence one can provide, the stronger the foundation for explaining truth.
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I think he uses the ‘cumulative case’ to show how much we need God. He shows the progression of sin in our lives and how God changes this.
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The “cumulative case” involves several truths which build on each other and work together to defend Christianity. For example, we cannot just begin with talking about Jesus. If people have false understanding of Who God is and why/how He created the world, how can we expect them to develop faith in Christ? Dr. Groothuis lists these claims as vital to faith in Christ: 1) the origin of the world, 2) the nature of the world, 3) history, 4) the human condition, 5) Jesus. These claims must be stated in a cumulative manner so as to reach the ultimate goal of leading people to faith in Christ.
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Only Christianity has so much evidence to support the claims of Christ. Only Christ has an empty tomb. Only Christ can claim He is divine in nature.
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Because, Dr. Groothuis sees Christianity from three different aspects that build up a strong evidence of Christianity when they are shown.
The intimate relationship with God, the Bible, the faith and the hope
The evidence that supports Christianity historical truth, and miracles.
The evidence of a change in the life of the people who accepts Jesus as his savior making it real and meaningful.