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An '''acronym''', is an [[abbreviation]] coined from the initial letter of each successive word in a term or phrase (compare [[initialism]]). For example, [[NATO]] for the <u>N</u>orth <u>A</u>tlantic <u>T</u>reaty <u>O</u>rganization.
 
An '''acronym''', is an [[abbreviation]] coined from the initial letter of each successive word in a term or phrase (compare [[initialism]]). For example, [[NATO]] for the <u>N</u>orth <u>A</u>tlantic <u>T</u>reaty <u>O</u>rganization.
In most cases, acronyms are capitalized, but after long use the abbreviation becomes a word in its own right and is spelled with small letters, like
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In most cases, acr<nowiki>
''[[SCUBA]]'', '''S'''elf '''C'''ontained '''U'''nderwater '''B'''reathing '''A'''pparatus (now ''scuba'').
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<nowiki><nowiki>
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In general, an acronym made up of more than the first letter of the major words in the expanded form is rendered with only an initial capital letter (Comsat from Communications Satellite Corporation; an exception would be NAM from Nonaligned Movement).  
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'''Christian apologetics''' is the defense of the [[Christianity|Christian]] faith through logical arguments. The term comes from the [[Greek]] word ''apologia'', which means "defense". The expression "Christian apologist" therefore does not mean that someone is apologising for or on behalf of [[Christianity]] as is sometimes thought, but that he or she is defending and justifying it. There are a <nowiki>f 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 ne<nowiki>
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ed 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.
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{{Christianity}}
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==History of Christian Apologetics==
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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,
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:"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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."  1 Peter 3:15-16.
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Hybrid forms are sometimes used to distinguish between initially identical terms ([[ICC]] for International Chamber of Commerce and ICCt for International Criminal Court).
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The Apostle Paul also spent time in [[Athens]], debating [[Stoicism|Stoic]] and Epicurian philosophers.  Acts 17:16.
 
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==See also==
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*[[Initialism]]
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Great theologians such as [[Origen]], Athanasius, [[Irenaeus]], [[Martyr]], [[Augustine]], and [[Aquinas]] continued the tradition of apologetics on a dramatic scale.  At the same time, apologetics was practiced by countless individual Christians, explaining and defending their beliefs.
 
[[Category:Linguistics]]
 
[[Category:Linguistics]]
 
[[Category:Dictionary]]
 
[[Category:Dictionary]]
 
[[Category:Acronyms]]
 
[[Category:Acronyms]]
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