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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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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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To support a Christian Worldview that Christians believe and uphold, it becomes necessary to always be prepared to defend our faith, exercising apologetics, based on historical facts and sound reasoning, to those who are questioning their faith and/or are Christian unbelievers. That said, we are called to make this defense in a humble, respectful and overtly positive way – called “Good Behavior” in 1 Peter 3:16 – that treats those we talk to as dignified humans while recognizing that this defense presents an important reconciliation for those to whom we discuss that has eternal consequences.
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Jesus tells us to have an answer ready for why we have hope but treat people with respect. I think we should come across as normal, natural people, telling of our experience of faith in a way people understand without being offensive, arrogant and aggressive. The verse talks of gentleness and not to compromise our faith, keeping a clear conscience. If we love and honour Christ our Lord we will come across for His Honour and glory. People will see it in us. We should know our subject as best as we can to have good clear answers to questions.
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We should embrace apologetics in our faith journey first and foremost because of the Great Commision that Jesus gave us to make disciples of all nations. If we are going to talk to people about our faith and share the gospel and the Bible with them, then we need to be able to speak well about our beliefs. Personal testimony is a great help in sharing the gospel with others but apologetics and clearly knowing our worldview goes with it hand in hand. Another reason we should embrace apologetics in our faith journey is that it gives credibility to our faith and to those who hear us share it. Once we accept Christ and put Jesus as Lord, the rest of our lives is the “doing” part that James talks about. We cannot simply be hearers of the word, but we need to do what it says; and it says for us to be prepared to answer people with the reasons for our beliefs.
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How is Christianity more than just a worldview? Provide some examples.
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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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Christianity is more than a worldview; it is a relationship with the Savior; Christ set this example as He died for the Church–His bride. We cannot claim Christianity and not love the Church. This requires us to understand that Christianity is a relationship with the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and His people.
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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.