Difference between revisions of "Abbreviation"
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Our sister encyclopedia, Encarta, informs us that "There are four main kinds of abbreviations: shortenings, contractions, initialisms, and acronyms." <ref name=encarta>[http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861582945/abbreviation.html]</ref> | Our sister encyclopedia, Encarta, informs us that "There are four main kinds of abbreviations: shortenings, contractions, initialisms, and acronyms." <ref name=encarta>[http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861582945/abbreviation.html]</ref> | ||
| − | == | + | ==Usi<nowiki> |
| + | <nowiki><nowiki> | ||
| − | + | '''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> | |
| + | 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. | ||
| + | {{Christianity}} | ||
| + | ==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, | ||
| + | :"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. | ||
| − | + | The Apostle Paul also spent time in [[Athens]], debating [[Stoicism|Stoic]] and Epicurian philosophers. Acts 17:16. | |
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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. | ||
Examples of acronyms include: | Examples of acronyms include: | ||
Revision as of 22:55, January 16, 2011
Our sister encyclopedia, Encarta, informs us that "There are four main kinds of abbreviations: shortenings, contractions, initialisms, and acronyms." [1]
==Usi<nowiki> <nowiki><nowiki>
Christian apologetics is the defense of the 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". [2] Some feel that faith alone should ne<nowiki> 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.
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 Apostle Peter exhorted early Christians to apologetics, writing,
- "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.
The Apostle Paul also spent time in Athens, debating Stoic and Epicurian philosophers. Acts 17:16.
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. Examples of acronyms include:
- USA PATRIOT Act, for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act
- TULIP, for Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints (the core tenets of Calvinism).
- Roy G. Biv, for Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet (the conventional description of the colors in the spectrum).