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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 353
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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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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The apostle Peter encourages believers in 1 Peter 3:15–16 to practice apologetics, which involves providing reasons and methods for defending their faith. One reason why apologetics is valuable is highlighted in verse 15, where Peter advises believers to hold Christ as Lord in their hearts and always be ready to explain the basis for their hope when questioned by others. This verse underscores the significance of being able to express and defend our faith when faced with inquiries. Through engaging in apologetics, we can effectively communicate the rationale behind our belief in Christ and share the hope we have in Him.<div>
</div><div>In verse 16, Peter also advises believers to defend their faith with “gentleness and respect.” This emphasizes the significance of how we approach apologetics. Instead of being aggressive or argumentative, we are encouraged to express our defense of the faith with humility, generosity, and consideration towards individuals who may have different beliefs. By engaging in gentle and respectful conversations, we can establish connections with others and successfully communicate the truth of the gospel in an appealing way.</div> -
Some examples from 1 Peter 3:15–16 as to why and how we should embrace apologetics in our faith journey:
<sup>15 </sup>But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, <sup>16 </sup>keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
One example would be a recent experience I had. My mom went home to be with the Lord, I am a believer but my sister is not. This verse came to my mind as I tried to explain (not really defend, but I guess I was defending…) to my sister why I had peace. Its been a journey for both of us and I pray for her everyday.
Another example would be as a teacher. As a teacher in a Christian School (teaching HS) I know the students watch my actions and reactions so I am careful to try to model Christ like behavior to them. Many of them question why I believe, even suggest they are unsure, and I go to this verse to before I begin talking with them.
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How is Christianity more than just a worldview? Provide some examples.
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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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Christianity is simply grounded in faith and truth which has an element of absolute truth and an element of faith. We serve a risen savior, and no other “religion” can make that claim. Christianity can be proven correct via many disciplines such as anthropology, history, science, etc. The Bible has never been disproven. It begins with simple faith.
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Christianity is supported by historical facts and by the Bible inspired by God.
Christianity has to be with the essence of a human being and its intimate relationship with God.
Christianity has to be with the purpose of life, through a rational existence.
Christianity does not contradicts what a human being is -
It proves s a personal relationship with gof.
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Christianity is more than just a world veiw because we have the Bible that shows us, there’s creation in its self, and as a Christian, I know that there are other views that don’t line up with the Word of God. If Christianity was really a true worldview, why doesn’t everyone believe in it? It’s more because philosophers have been trying to prove it’s wrong for decades. At the Tower of Babel, the worlds language changed to many. I wonder if that has any relationship as to why all the different beliefs today!
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What is a simple explanation of apologetics? What is apologetics not?
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A simple explanation of apologetics is the explanation and defense of the Christian worldview with the purpose of bringing people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Apologetics is not about debating or arguing our viewpoint and must be done with all gentleness in love.
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Apologetics is how to defend our faith in Jesus Christ from various viewpoints: scientific, logical, historical, philosophical or theological. It is not making this faith some mystical, interesting concept or intellectual idea.
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Apologetics is giving a reason for why you believe what you believe and it is not apologizing for what you believe in.
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Apologetics is defense of the Christain faith against those who don’t understand it or agree with it.
It is not accepted or understand by all. -
Apologetics is defense of the faith against those who don’t understand
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What is the purpose of defending truth?
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To help non believers understand in hopes that they become believers of the truth
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Defending truth allows us to give testimony of who God is. It is necessary to show how we can trust God and the Bible. The purpose would be to bring others to know God’s truth.
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The purpose of defending truth is to set the basis for asking others to come to faith in Christ. If there is no truth, then there can be no faith in anything. So, establishing basic truths allows for connections to be made, trust to be built, and for people to come to Christ.
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We need to have a firm foundation in our beliefs founded in truth. We must have a reliable ultimate authority founded in truth for our claims.
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To be precise that truth is not relative, that denying it does not mean that it does not exist. The word of God is true, the creation is true.
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Why does Dr. Groothuis use the “cumulative case” as his apologetic method for Christianity?
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It is natural for humans to have doubts; we see this with Thomas and the man who asked Christ to help his unbelief. The cumulative case method does not simply look at one and ignore the other; instead, it looks at the physical evidence found in science as well as historically–it is comprehensive with various facts from both.
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Dr. Groothuis uses the “cumulative case” method because is a reasonable way to prove that Christianity is true and make more sense than any other religion or philosophy. We as Christians can demonstrate that we don’t have to deny anything deeply human about ourselves to follow Christ and to have a biblical worldview.