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{{Christianity}}

{{Christianity}}

'''Christian Apologetics''' is the defense of the [[Christianity|Christian]] faith through rational arguments. The term comes from the [[Greek]] word ''apologia'', which means "defense". There are a number of subfields within apologetics. Some apologists specialize in internal biblical consistency (such as JP Holding, owner of tektonics.org), others in scientific defenses of the Bible, and still others in historical or philosophical defenses of Christianity (such as [[Gary Habermas]] or [[Lee Strobel]]). Christian apologist [[JP Holding]] has recommended that prospective apologists choose one area of focus rather than trying to be a "jack of all trades". <ref>http://www.tektonics.org/qt/sowant.html</ref> Some feel that faith alone should need no justification, however, many feel that Christians should be prepared to defend and spread their faith by intellectual means, especially as many people will not accept Christianity without a "rational" reason to do so.

'''Christian apologetics''' is the defense of the [[Christianity|Christian]] faith through rational arguments. The term comes from the [[Greek]] word ''apologia'', which means "defense". There are a number of subfields within apologetics. Some apologists specialize in internal biblical consistency (such as JP Holding, owner of tektonics.org), others in scientific defenses of the Bible, and still others in historical or philosophical defenses of Christianity (such as [[Gary Habermas]] or [[Lee Strobel]]). Christian apologist [[JP Holding]] has recommended that prospective apologists choose one area of focus rather than trying to be a "jack of all trades". <ref>http://www.tektonics.org/qt/sowant.html</ref> Some feel that faith alone should need no justification, however, many feel that Christians should be prepared to defend and spread their faith by intellectual means, especially as many people will not accept Christianity without a "rational" reason to do so.

==History of Christian Apologetics==

==History of Christian Apologetics==

Christian apologetics has existed as long as Christianity itself.  [[Jesus]] himself spent time in the temples and synagogues, debating and explaining the meaning of the scriptures.  The [[Saint Peter|Apostle Peter]] exhorted early Christians to apologetics, writing,  

Christian apologetics has existed as long as Christianity itself.  [[Jesus]] himself spent time in the temples and synagogues, debating and explaining the meaning of the scriptures.  The [[Saint Peter|Apostle Peter]] exhorted early Christians to apologetics, writing,  

:This is related to the [[anthropic principle]], which is sometimes misused by [[atheist]]s such as [[Richard Dawkins]].  The fact that so many details had to be just so, including physical constants, to allow us to be here, argues for an intelligent designer.

:This is related to the [[anthropic principle]], which is sometimes misused by [[atheist]]s such as [[Richard Dawkins]].  The fact that so many details had to be just so, including physical constants, to allow us to be here, argues for an intelligent designer.

* [[Cosmological argument]]: Every event in the universe is caused by something.  It is impossible that everything should have a cause, going back to eternity.  Therefore, there must be a [[First Cause]], which itself is not caused, and that First Cause must be capable of causing the universe, aka God.

* [[Cosmological argument]]: Every event in the universe is caused by something.  It is impossible that everything should have a cause, going back to eternity.  Therefore, there must be a [[first cause]], which itself is not caused, and that first cause must be capable of causing the universe, aka God.

In the 20th century, this argument has been strongly supported by [[science]], with the discovery that the universe had a beginning. Prior to the 1920s, it had been widely believed that the universe's existence had been eternal. <ref>http://www.harvardhouse.com/Science-Religion.htm</ref> This verifies the very first three words of the [[Bible]]: "In the beginning".

In the 20th century, this argument has been strongly supported by [[science]], with the discovery that the universe had a beginning. Prior to the 1920s, it had been widely believed that the universe's existence had been eternal. <ref>http://www.harvardhouse.com/Science-Religion.htm</ref> This verifies the very first three words of the [[Bible]]: "In the beginning".

* [[Ontological argument]]: God is the being than which no greater can be conceived.  It is greater to exist than to not exist.  Therefore if you conceive God as not existing, you are not conceiving the being than which no greater can be conceived, and are therefore not conceiving God.  Therefore it is impossible to conceive of God as not existing.  Therefore God exists.   

* [[Ontological argument]]: God is the being than which no greater can be conceived.  It is greater to exist than to not exist.  Therefore if you conceive God as not existing, you are not conceiving the being than which no greater can be conceived, and are therefore not conceiving God.  Therefore it is impossible to conceive of God as not existing.  Therefore God exists.