Difference between revisions of "Christian apologetics"

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'''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.
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'''Christian apologetics''' is the defense of the [[Christianity|Christian]] [[faith]] through evidence and [[logic]]-based arguments.<ref>The word [[apologetics]] comes from the [[Greek]] word apologia (from Greek ἀπολογία), which means "speaking in defense." Christian [[Witnessing|witness]] to [[Jesus Christ]] in an informal, spontaneous setting, most often in conversation, is an oral form of Christian apologetics. ''See'' [[First Epistle of Peter (Translated)#3:15|1 Peter 3:15]].</ref> Compelling evidence for Christianity includes:
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*The four [[Gospel]]s were written by ethnic rivals -- a Jew, a Gentile, a Greek, and probably a [[Mystery: Was John a Samaritan|Samaritan]] -- and yet fully corroborate each other's accounts.<ref>Non-believers falsely assert that the Gospels were not written until decades after the fact, when the evidence indicates otherwise (see, e.g., [[date of Mark]]). Regardless, the truth of what was written remains proven by their corroboration among ethnic adversaries.</ref> According to [[Simon Greenleaf]], the legal scholar who was a chief early figure at Harvard Law School, the [[Gospel]]s corroborate each other's accounts, and he viewed their mutual support as a key strength under the rules of evidence. ''See'' [[Christian legal apologetics]].<ref>[https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtNA%3D%3D_3e694dc6-5fc5-405e-b6df-12ac7543c531 Provide information on Simon Greenleaf's Testimony of the Evangelist. Also, does Simon Greenlead indicate that the four gospels corroborate each other?]</ref>
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*There is extensive [[Biblical scientific foreknowledge]], and many prophecies in the [[Bible]] have remarkably been fulfilled.<ref>[https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtNA%3D%3D_20e9ac23-9c56-4dbc-a7a3-8a306444fc2d Do Christians indicate that the Bible has many fulfilled prophecies? Please summarize the book Science Speaks by Peter Stoner.]</ref> ''See'' [[Bible prophecy]].
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*Non-believers have no plausible explanation for who [[Jesus]] was and his immense influence, if he weren't [[God]].<ref>[https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtNA%3D%3D_0bd7af04-49b1-415c-977e-d0eb390da507 How much influence did Jesus have on the world? How much influence has Christianity had on the world? Also, please cover Dr. James Kennedy's work ''What if Jesus was not born?''.  Please cover the article "The Triumph of the Gospel of Love" at: http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/church_history/themistocles_triumph_love.html Also, cover the article The Surprising Discovery About Those Colonialist, Proselytizing Missionaries at https://archive.is/cDMnA#selection-1017.0-1017.76]</ref>
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*The [[Bible]] including the [[New Testament]] is by far the best-selling book today and throughout history, and it rings true while being more helpful to people than any alternative.
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*the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] is a spectacular literary masterpiece -- among the finest Greek writing ever<ref>"In fact the author of the Epistle shows great familiarity with the rules of the Greek literary language of his age. ... His writing may even be included among those examples of artistic Greek prose whose rhythm recalls the parallelism of Hebrew poetry." [https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07181a.htm]</ref> -- which was beyond the local ability of anyone other than [[Jesus]] as the [[Son of God]];<ref>[[Paul]] was among the elite in the [[Middle East]], but the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] is far above the [[Greek]] writings by Paul.</ref>
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*[[Christianity]], in contrast with [[atheism]] and other religions, urges searching for the truth with [[logic]] and [[faith]], and taking the less-traveled road.<ref>''See, e.g.'', [[Matthew, Chapter 7|Matthew 7:13-14]].</ref>
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*Phenomenal art, music, writings, and architecture were inspired by Christianity: ''e.g.'', "to err is human / to forgive, divine." ''See'' [[Christian art]], the [[Sistine Chapel]], [[King James Bible's influence on the world]] and [[Famous Cathedrals]].
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*2,000 years after the [[New Testament]] was written, its books remain as vibrant, compelling, and helpful as ever before. That cannot be said about merely human works.
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*The [[Shroud of Turin]], impossible to replicate and unexplained by non-believers, confirms an intense flash of light in the [[Resurrection]].<ref>The flash of light captured on the Shroud includes even the flesh and bones of the man, analogous to an X-ray. Non-believers cling to doubt based on a 1988 carbon-dating of a corner sample containing cotton fibers, which was not an uncontaminated original. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPLEu1MMYfo]</ref>
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Christian apologetics are based on evidence, reason, history, linguistics, science, and human experience.  [[Atheist]]ic societies or values are notoriously inhumane and hostile to [[free speech|freedom of speech]].
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Three major schools of Christian apologetics are: [[classical apologetics]], [[evidential apologetics]] and [[presuppositional apologetics]]. A lesser-known school of Christian apologetics is [[integrated apologetics]] which is a system of Christian apologetics introduced by [[Johnson C. Philip]]. Philip is a Christian apologist from India and he argues that while each school of Christian apologetics contains a part of the truth, they tend to be too narrow to do justice to the broad field of Christian apologetics. He proposes that all these schools of apologetics should be integrated into a harmonious whole.<ref>[http://creationwiki.org/Integrated_apologetics Integrated Apologetics] at [[CreationWiki]].</ref>
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There are a number of subfields within apologetics. Some apologists specialize in internal biblical consistency (such as [[JP Holding]], owner of the website 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]]). Although some feel that their faith needs no justification, 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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==History of Christian Apologetics==
 
==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]] exhortd early Christians to apologetics, writing,  
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Christian apologetics has existed as long as Christianity itself.  [[Jesus]] himself spent time in the temple and the synagogues, debating and explaining the meaning of the scriptures.  The [[Saint Peter|Apostle Peter]] exhorted early Christians to practice 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.
 
:"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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The Apostle Paul also spent time in [[Athens]], debating [[Stoicism|Stoic]] and [[Epicurianism|Epicurian]] philosophers.  Acts 17:16.
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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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Great theologians such as [[Origen]], [[Athanasius]], [[Irenaeus]], [[Martyr]], [[Augustine]], and [[Acquinas]] 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.
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Great theologians such as Athanasius, [[Irenaeus]], [[Justin 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.<ref>e.g. Acts 18:25-26; James 5:19-20.</ref>
  
 
===Purposes===
 
===Purposes===
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==Types of Christian Apologetics==
 
==Types of Christian Apologetics==
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[[Image:Dalí_The_Christ_of_St._John_of_the_Cross.jpg|right|200px]]
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===Evidentialist apologetics===
 
===Evidentialist apologetics===
  
 
Evidential apologetics seeks to defend Christian belief through [[evidence]].  This can take the form of:
 
Evidential apologetics seeks to defend Christian belief through [[evidence]].  This can take the form of:
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* Arguments based on the historical accounts of the Bible;
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* [[Christian Apologetics and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ|Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ]]
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* Defense of the historical accuracy of the Bible;
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* [[Christian historical apologetics|Defense of the historical accuracy of the Bible]]
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* [[Biblical Archaeology]], seeking to show that the Bible is consistent with the physical evidence;
 
* [[Christian Legal Apologetics]]
 
* [[Christian Legal Apologetics]]
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* [[Biblical Archaeology]], seeking to show that the Bible is consistent with the physical evidence;
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* [[Bible prophecy]]
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* [[Creationism]], seeking to show that the creation accounts of the Bible are the most reasonable explanation for life as we know it.
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* [[Creation science]] and [[Creationism]], seeking to show that the creation accounts of the Bible are the most reasonable explanation for life as we know it and that the [[evolution|evolutionary paradigm]] is untenable.
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* [[Biblical scientific foreknowledge]]
  
 
===Philosophical apologetics===
 
===Philosophical apologetics===
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[[File:Watches have a purpose.png|thumbnail|400px|William Paley was an advocate of the [[teleological argument]].
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One of the most famous statements about the teleological argument using the watchmaker analogy was given by William Paley in his 1802 book ''Natural Theology or Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity''.<ref>[http://www.wmcarey.edu/carey/paley/ William Paley - William Carey University]</ref>]]
 
Philosophical apologetics seeks to defend Christian belief through philosophical argument: primarily [[arguments for the existence of God]].  This can take the form of:
 
Philosophical apologetics seeks to defend Christian belief through philosophical argument: primarily [[arguments for the existence of God]].  This can take the form of:
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* [[Teleological argument]]: When you find a watch in the sand, you infer that it is designed, even if you do not see the designer, because it is complex, has a definite purpose, and could not have come to be through any known non-intelligent causes.  Therefore, when we observe a complex, purposeful universe which could not have come to be through any known non-intelligent cause, it is reasonable to infer the existence of a designer, aka God.
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* The [[Teleological argument]]: When you find a watch in the sand, you infer that it is designed, even if you do not see the designer, because it is complex, has a definite purpose, and could not have come to be through any known non-intelligent causes.  Therefore, when we observe a complex, purposeful universe which could not have come to be through any known non-intelligent cause, it is reasonable to infer the existence of a designer, aka God.
  
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: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.
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:This is connected to the [[anthropic principle]], which is the argument that so much fine-tuning and exact physiological constants allows us to be here, provides evidence in support of an intelligent designer.
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* [[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.
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* The [[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. [[Creation science|Creationist scientists]] demonstrate that the [[First Law of Thermodynamics|first law of thermodynamics]] and [[second law of thermodynamics]] argue against an eternal [[universe]] and they also demonstrate that these laws point to the universe being supernaturally created.<ref>[http://godevidences.net/space/lawsofscience.php Evidences for God From Space&mdash;Laws of Science]</ref><ref>Thompson, Bert, [http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2329 So Long, Eternal Universe; Hello Beginning, Hello End!], 2001 (Apologetics Press)</ref><ref>http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/AstroPhysicalSciences14.html</ref>
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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".
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* [[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.   
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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."
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* [[Argument from morality]]: All humans are born with a natural, moral code.  A moral code implies a moral code giver, aka God.
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* The [[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.   
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* The Argument from morality: All humans are born with a natural, moral code.  A moral code implies a moral code giver, aka God.
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*[[Christianity and logic]]
  
 
===Presuppositional apologetics===
 
===Presuppositional apologetics===
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[[Presuppositional Apologetics]] seek to defend Christian belief by showing that belief in Christian precepts is necessary to make sense of the human experience as a whole.
 
[[Presuppositional Apologetics]] seek to defend Christian belief by showing that belief in Christian precepts is necessary to make sense of the human experience as a whole.
  
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== Christian Apologetics and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ ==
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=== Growth of Christian apologetics in the world today while atheist apologetics is stagnating ===
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The [[Resurrection of Jesus Christ|resurrection of Jesus Christ]] is critical to the Christian faith.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain" (I Cor:15:14).  Traditionally, Christianity has believed in a physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. <ref>http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/crj0056a.txt</ref>
 
  
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In recent history, Dr. [[Gary Habermas]] is considered the foremost Christian apologist for defending the resurrection of Jesus. <ref>http://www.garyhabermas.com/articles/dialog_rexperience/dialog_rexperiences.htm</ref><ref>http://www.tektonics.org/books/lichabrvw.html</ref><ref>http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/NTeSources/NTArticles/CTR-NT/Habermas-Resurrection1-CTR.pdf </ref><ref>http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/NTeSources/NTArticles/CTR-NT/Habermas-Resurrection2-CTR.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.garyhabermas.com/articles/crj_explainingaway/crj_explainingaway.htm</ref><ref>http://www.apologetics.com/default.jsp?bodycontent=/articles/historical_apologetics/habermas-nt.html</ref>  Dr. Habermas had a debate against the philosopher Antony Flew regarding the resurrection which was chronicled in the work ''Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? The Resurrection Debate'' and the debate had a panel of debate judges.  J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M. in his essay ''Evidences for the Resurrection'' wrote: "The decision of the judges were as follows. The panel of philosophers judging content cast four votes for Habermas who argued for the fact of the resurrection, none for Flew, and one draw. The panel of professional debate judges voted three to two, also in favor of Habermas, this time regarding the method of argumentation technique." <ref>http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=639</ref>
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Today, there is a growth of Christian apologetics in the world, while the atheist apologetic community is in a state of stagnation. See: [[Rebuttals to atheist arguments|Growth of Christian apologetics]]
  
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In recent history some notable defenders of the resurrection include: [[William Lane Craig]], [[Ben Witherington]], [[Lee Strobel]], [[Josh McDowell]], [[Edwin M. Yamauchi]], [[N.T. Wright]] and [[Michael Horner]]. <ref>http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/menus/historical.html</ref><ref>http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/easter/articles/josh2.html</ref><ref>http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/easter/articles/yama.html</ref><ref>http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Early_Traditions.htm</ref><ref>http://www.michaelhorner.com/articles/resurrection/index.html</ref>
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== Evidence and arguments for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ ==
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[[Image:27 2blinka fig01f.jpg|thumb|175px|right|Dr. [[Simon Greenleaf]] is often cited in the field of [[Christian Legal Apologetics|Christian legal apologetics]]. ]]
  
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Legal scholars, legal authorities, and eminent lawyers such as [[Simon Greenleaf]], [[John Warwick Montgomery]], [[Lord Darling]], [[John Singleton Copley]], [[Hugo Grotius]], [[Lord Caldecote]], [[J. N. D. Anderson]], [[Lionel Luckhoo]], and many others have asserted that western legal standards argue for the resurrection of Christ. <ref>http://www.bibleteacher.org/sgtestimony.htm</ref><ref>http://www.mtio.com/articles/bissart1.htm</ref><ref>http://www.ankerberg.com/Articles/apologetics/AP0302W3.htm</ref><ref>http://lawreligionculturereview.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_lawreligionculturereview_archive.html</ref><ref>http://www.trinitysem.edu/journal/philjohnsonpap.html</ref><ref>http://www.trinitysem.edu/journal/philjohnsonpap.html</ref>
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''See also:'' [[Christian Apologetics and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ]] and [[Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ]]
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The [[resurrection of Jesus Christ]] is critical to the Christian faith. The Apostle Paul wrote, "if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain" (I Corinthians:15:14). 
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There is a great amount of compelling evidence from multiple lines of evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ (See: [[Christian Apologetics and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ|Evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ]]).
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Traditionally, Christianity has believed in a physical resurrection of Jesus Christ.<ref>http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/crj0056a.txt</ref> The Christian apologist Michael Horner of [[Campus Crusade for Christ|CRU]] has an excellent resource which offers a defense of the resurrection of Jesus Christ entitled  [http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/jesusrose1/ Did Jesus really rise from the dead?]. In addition, Dr. Gary Habermas offers [http://www.garyhabermas.com/audio/audio.htm an online audio library which defends the resurrection of Jesus Christ.]
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In recent history, Dr. [[Gary Habermas]] is considered the foremost Christian apologist for defending the resurrection of Jesus.<ref>http://www.garyhabermas.com/articles/dialog_rexperience/dialog_rexperiences.htm</ref><ref>http://www.tektonics.org/books/lichabrvw.html</ref><ref>http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/NTeSources/NTArticles/CTR-NT/Habermas-Resurrection2-CTR.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.garyhabermas.com/articles/crj_explainingaway/crj_explainingaway.htm</ref><ref>http://www.apologetics.com/default.jsp?bodycontent=/articles/historical_apologetics/habermas-nt.html</ref>  Dr. Habermas had a debate against the philosopher Antony Flew regarding the resurrection which was chronicled in the work ''Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? The Resurrection Debate'' and the debate had a panel of debate judges.  J. Hampton Keathley, III, Th.M. in his essay ''Evidences for the Resurrection'' wrote: "The decision of the judges were as follows. The panel of philosophers judging content cast four votes for Habermas who argued for the fact of the resurrection, none for Flew, and one draw. The panel of professional debate judges voted three to two, also in favor of Habermas, this time regarding the method of argumentation technique." <ref>http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=639</ref>
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In recent history some notable defenders of the resurrection include: [[William Lane Craig]], Ben Witherington, [[Lee Strobel]], [[Josh McDowell]], Edwin M. Yamauchi, [[N.T. Wright]] and Michael Horner.<ref>http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/menus/historical.html</ref><ref>http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/easter/articles/josh2.html</ref><ref>http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/easter/articles/yama.html</ref><ref>http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Early_Traditions.htm</ref><ref>http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/jesusrose1/</ref>
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Legal scholars, legal authorities, and eminent lawyers such as [[Simon Greenleaf]], John Warwick Montgomery, Lord Darling, John Singleton Copley, [[Hugo Grotius]], Lord Caldecote, J. N. D. Anderson, [[Lionel Luckhoo]], and many others have asserted that western legal standards argue for the resurrection of Christ.<ref>http://www.bibleteacher.org/sgtestimony.htm</ref><ref>http://www.mtio.com/articles/bissart1.htm</ref><ref>http://www.ankerberg.com/Articles/apologetics/AP0302W3.htm</ref><ref>http://lawreligionculturereview.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_lawreligionculturereview_archive.html</ref><ref>http://www.trinitysem.edu/journal/philjohnsonpap.html</ref> See: [[Christian legal apologetics]]
  
 
== Christian Apologetic Ministries ==
 
== Christian Apologetic Ministries ==
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There are a number of [[internet]] based Christian apologetic Ministries or Christian apologetics ministries which have a internet presence.  Some of the more notable Christian apologetic ministries are: [[Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry]], [[Tekton Apologetics Ministries]], [[LeadershipU]], [[Probe Ministries]], [[Christian Answers Network]], and [[A Christian Thinktank]].
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There are a number of [[Internet]] based Christian apologetic Ministries or Christian apologetics ministries which have an Internet presence.  Some of the more notable Christian apologetic ministries are: Reasonable Faith, [[Ravi Zacharias]] Ministries, Fixed Point Foundation,<ref>http://www.fixed-point.org</ref> Tekton Apologetics Ministries, LeadershipU, Probe Ministries, Christian Answers Network, Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry, A Christian Thinktank, Answers for Hope, Brace E. Barber and Catholic Answers.<ref>http://www.catholic.com</ref>
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==See Also==
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Brace E. Barber leads a [https://www.bracebarber.com Christian Apologetics Ministry]. Brace brings a message of hope along with step-by-step instructions to churches, parents and organizations in order retain youth raised in Christian homes in the Christian faith. Brace challenges commonly held assumptions about the shallow nature of Christian youth education. Brace is a West Point graduate and Army Veteran. He brings a military-strategist mindset to the problem of the loss of youth from the Christian Church. He provides insights, analysis and solutions to solve the problem.
  
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== Christian websites with a large focus on the topic of atheism  ==
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[[File:TFT.JPG|right|250px|thumbnail|[[True Freethinker]] is a Christian apologetics Facebook page run by Ken Ammi which offers many refutations of [[atheism]].]]
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{{See also|Atheism vs. Christianity}}
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Four of the more notable Christian apologetics which have a large focus on the topic of atheism are: [[True Freethinker]], the [[Creation Ministries International and atheism|Creation Ministries International resources on atheism]] and the [[Fixed Point Foundation]] website.
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== Christian apologetics clubs on college campuses ==
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[[Ratio Christi]] is a global movement that equips university students and faculty to give historical, philosophical, and scientific reasons for following Jesus Christ.
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The Christian apologetics organization Stand to Reason wrote:
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{{cquote|Ratio Christi, a fairly new apologetics organization that is seeking to change the intellectual atmosphere at universities by bringing Christianity into public, academic discussion. Their goal is to start on-campus apologetics clubs at 500 universities in the next five years. This is where you come in--because it’s also Ratio Christi’s goal to connect each of these clubs with a person who has been trained in apologetics (but who probably has a different day job) to act as chapter director.
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Ratio Christi helps each chapter organize one or two campus-wide events a year by connecting them with speakers and debaters like William Lane Craig and Gary Habermas, helping them find the funding, etc. But after the event has come and gone, the lay apologist is still there to lead discussions and interact with the Christians, skeptics, atheists, and seekers who may never have realized that Christianity has a weighty intellectual tradition behind it.<ref>[http://str.typepad.com/weblog/2011/05/ratio-christi-apologetics-clubs.html Ratio Christi Apologetics Clubs]</ref>}}
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== Christianity apologetics and the developing world ==
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{{See also|Christian apologetics and education}}
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Because of the rapid growth of Christianity in the developing world where people often have modest incomes, there is a large pent up demand for theological/Christian apologetic higher education which has spawned various initiatives such as [[Trinity Graduate School of Apologetics and Theology]] which offers free/low cost training in these academic disciplines.<ref>[http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2013/09/global-survey-documents-theological-education-trends.aspx Global survey documents theological education trends],'' Anglican Community News Service'',  September 19, 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.trinitytheology.org/why-free-graduate-theology-programs/ Why Free Graduate Theology Programs]</ref> Trinity has over 40 international, highly qualified, and highly experienced faculty members and mentors.<ref>[http://www.trinitytheology.org/trinity-international-committee/ Trinity International Committee]</ref> The majority of degrees obtained through Trinity are done so through distance learning over the internet.
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Students from developing countries receive a free education from Trinity and students from developed countries pay a nominal registration, but they pay no fees.<ref>[http://www.trinitytheology.org/why-free-graduate-theology-programs/ Why Free Graduate Theology Programs]</ref>
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== Growth of creationist apologetics and its effect on Christendom ==
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[[Image:Answers in Genesis logo adopted 2016.png|thumbnail|right|[[Answers in Genesis]] is a Christian apologetics ministry which offers origins apologetics and other Christian apologetics.]]
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''See also:'' [[Answers in Genesis]] and [[Creation Ministries International]] and [[Global creationism]] and [[Growth of evangelical Christianity]]
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Dr. [[Johnson C. Philip]] & Dr. Saneesh Cherian wrote in their work ''Introduction To Integrated Christian Apologetics]]'':
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{{cquote|American evangelical Christians have began to notice in the fifties that compromise is a slow poison that ultimately destroys respect for truth. Some of them came together and started writing aggressively on themes defending the historical and scientific reliability of the Bible. This gave birth to the modern interest in Apologetics and Creationism. At the dawn of the twenty-first century the influence of this revival has spread all over the world, and today more than one hundred and fifty organizations function around the world, devoted solely to apologetics. Their influence has be so strong that a large number of Seminaries all around the world have begun assert the historical and scientific reliability of the Bible...
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...with the birth of the modern creationism and apologetics, a revival set in motion among the evangelical Christians. This group became quite vocal and aggressive in the sixties, and by seventies they started exerting significant influence among theologians, thinkers, and the Bible teachers all over the world.
 +
 +
Thousands of apologetic books, hundreds of magazines, and tens of thousands of articles have been produced defending the Bible since. In turn, this has started to diminish the influence of [[rationalism|rationalists]] and radicals on Christians.
 +
 +
From the middle of the nineteenth to the middle of the twentieth century the rationalists had their heyday, snatching away millions of young people from their Christian faith and commitment. The wounds of this loss can been seen in Christendom even today, but at the same time this loss has been greatly minimized now because of the work of Christian apologists.
 +
 +
Today anyone desiring to know about the Bible, and its connection with science, evolution, history, archaeology, has read any number of books on this topic. Literally thousands of titles are available, and he can choose anywhere from the most simple books to the most technically advanced ones.  Thus the modern apologetics movement has been able to arrest the way in which rationalists have been bleeding the Christian church.<ref>[http://www.brethrenassembly.com/Ebooks/Apol_001A.pdf Introduction To Integrated Christian Apologetics, Dr. Johnson C. Philip & Dr. Saneesh Cherian]</ref>}}
 +
 +
== Recommended books ==
 +
[[Image:Mlogo.jpg|thumbnail|150px|right|Ex-atheist [[Lee Strobel]] ]]
 +
'''General Christian apologetics:'''
 +
 +
*Carl Gallups, ''The Magic Man in the Sky: Effectively Defending the Christian Faith'', WND Books, 2012, ISBN 1936488523 [https://www.amazon.com/The-Magic-Man-Sky-Effectively/dp/1936488523]
 +
*[[Josh McDowell]], ''The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict Fully Updated To Answer The Questions Challenging Christians Today'', 1999, ISBN 0785242198
 +
*[[Lee Strobel]], ''Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus '', Zondervan, 1998, ISBN 0310209307
 +
*[[Gary Habermas]] and Michael Licona, ''The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus'', Kregel Publications, 2004, ISBN 0825427886
 +
*[[Brace E. Barber]], ''TESTED: A New Strategy for Keeping Kids in the Faith'' 2018, ISBN 978-0967829241
 +
 +
'''Old Testament apologetics:'''
 +
 +
*Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., ''The Old Testament Documents: Are They Reliable & Relevant?'', IVP Academic, 2001, ISBN 0830819754
 +
*Kenneth Kitchen, ''On The Reliability of the Old Testament'', Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2006. ISBN 0802803962
 +
 +
'''Biblical creation apologetics:'''
 +
 +
*[[Jonathan Sarfati]], ''Refuting Evolution'', Master Books, 1999 [http://www.creation.com/content/view/4014/ (Free on-line version)] ISBN 0890512582
 +
*Jonathan Sarfati, ''Refuting Evolution 2'', Master Books, 2002,[http://www.creation.com/content/view/4013/ (Free on-line version)] ISBN 0890513872
 +
*[[Phillip E. Johnson|Phillip Johnson]], ''Darwin on Trial''. InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois. 1991<ref>http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/darwin.html</ref> ISBN 0-8308-1324-1
 +
*[[Duane Gish]], ''Evolution: The Fossils Still Say No!'', El Cajon: [[Institute for Creation Research]], 1996<ref>https://www.icr.org/store/index.php?main_page=pubs_product_book_info&products_id=2176</ref> ISBN 9780890511121
 +
 +
*[[R. C. Sproul]], ''Not a Chance: The Myth of Chance in Modern Science and Cosmology'', Baker Book House: 1994<ref>http://www.ldolphin.org/chance.html</ref> ISBN 080105852X
 +
=== History of Christian apologetics books ===
 +
 +
*''The History of Apologetics: A Biographical and Methodological Introduction'', ‎Zondervan Academic (June 16, 2020), ISBN-13: 978-0310559412
 +
 +
=== Christian apologetics books on atheism ===
 +
 +
* [[Christian apologetics books on atheism]]
 +
 +
== Major Christian apologetics websites and their web traffic ==
 +
 +
See: [[Major Christian apologetics websites and their web traffic]]
 +
 +
==See also==
 +
 +
*[[Resources on becoming a Christian]]
 +
* [[Logical arguments for the existence of God|22 arguments for the existence of God]]
 +
*[[Philosophical naturalism]]
 +
*[[Eucharistic miracles]]
 +
*[[Atheism]]
 +
*[[Evolution]]
 +
*[[Christian apologetics websites|Christian apologetics website resources]]
 +
*[[Harmony of the Gospel (Conservative Version)]]
 
*[[Israel Tourism]] for some biblical archaeological sites available to tourists
 
*[[Israel Tourism]] for some biblical archaeological sites available to tourists
−
*[[Atheism]]
+
*[[Inspiration of Holy Scripture: An Eastern Christian and Jewish Perspective]]
 +
*[[List of proofs of God]]
 +
*[[Essay: How to "get" a church]] For the experience of the supernatural as aid to the acceptance of the miraculous of the Biblical story
 +
*[[Essay: The superiority of the King James Bible: Looking through!]] For the support that correct linguistic understanding gives to the resolutiion and reasonableness of apparently confusing, conflicting, or non convincing understandings.
 +
*[["Catholic Heresies and Traditions Adopted and Perpetuated by the Roman Catholic Church in the Course of 1600 Years"]]
 +
*[[Adiabene]] for the support of history for the Biblical Son and rule of David
 +
*[[House of David]] for the support of archaeology and epigraphy for the Biblical witness to David and David's kingdom
 +
*[[New Testament understanding through the Jewish perspective]] For the contemporary 1st century and normative Jewish approach and custom authenticating New Testament data and perspective.
 +
*[[Life and Doctrine]]
 +
*[[Christianity in Africa]]
 +
*[[Christianity in Asia]]
 +
*[[Christianity in Australia | Christianity in Australia, Oceania, New Zealand]]
 +
*[[Christianity in Europe]]
 +
*[[Christianity in North America]]
 +
*[[Christianity in South America]]
 +
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
[[Image:Jesus resurrected.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"The Resurrection" by Carl Heinrich Bloch]]
 +
''See also:'' [[Christian apologetics websites|Christian apologetics websites and articles]] and [[Major Christian apologetics websites and their web traffic]]
 +
 
 +
*[https://answersingenesis.org/apologetics/ Christian apologetics] by [[Answers in Genesis]]
 +
*[https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/popular-writings/apologetics/christian-apologetics-who-needs-it Christian Apologetics: Who Needs It?] by [[William Lane Craig]]
 +
 
 +
Videos:
 +
 
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUWRCSw8xvQ 72 Minutes of Apologetics Training] by J. Warner
 +
 
 +
=== Introduction to Christian apologetics video series ===
 +
 
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c-irygQqHk&list=PLc2eSR_oncVjRl5DnjKemiRdeVcf1jWWw Introduction to Christian apologetics video series]
 +
 
 +
=== General Christian apologetics websites ===
 +
*[http://searchcreation.org SearchCreation.org Search Engine]
 +
* [https://creation.com/christian-apologetics-questions-and-answers Christian apologetics]
 +
* [http://www.str.org/site/PageServer Stand to Reason]
 +
* [http://www.apologetics.com Apologetics.com]
 +
* [http://www.tektonics.org Tekton Apologetics Ministries]
 +
* [http://www.carm.org Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry]
 +
* [http://www.probe.org/ Probe Ministries -Christian Apologetics]
 +
* [http://www.ApologeticsWiki.com/ Christian Apologetics Wiki] &mdash; [[Wiki]]-based Christian apologetics
 +
* [http://www.rbc.org/rtb/ 10 Reasons to Believe]
 +
* [http://www.equip.org Christian Research Institute]
 +
* [http://www.typologetics.com Typologetics - Apologetics through literary analysis of the sacred texts]
 +
 
 +
=== Historical and legal apologetics ===
 +
[[Image:David Christ on the Cross.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Christ on the Cross by [[Jacques Louis David]].]]
 +
'''Historical apologetics:'''
 +
 
 +
*[http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/jesusrose1/ Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?] by Michael Horner
 +
*[http://www.garyhabermas.com/articles/articles.htm Journal articles of Dr. Gary Habermas]
 +
*[http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/bib-docu.html Are the Biblical Documents Reliable?]
 +
*[http://www.tektonics.org/lp/nowayjose.html The Impossible faith] by [[JP Holding]]
 +
 
 +
'''Christian legal apologetics:'''
 +
 
 +
*[[Christian legal apologetics]]
 +
 
 +
=== Bible archaeology ===
 +
*[http://www.christiananswers.net/archaeology/ Bible archaeology]
 +
*[http://www.allaboutthejourney.org/saint-luke.htm St. Luke, archaeology, Book of Acts]
 +
*[http://www.inplainsite.org/html/acts_and_archaeology.html Archaeology and the Book of Acts]
 +
*[http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/NTeSources/NTArticles/CTR-NT/McRay-ArchaeologyActs-CTR.pdf Archaeology and the Book of Acts] - Gordon College
 +
*[http://www.ucg.ca/booklets/BA2/paultravels.asp Book of Acts - Paul's travels]
 +
* [https://www.probe.org/archaeology-and-the-old-testament/ Archaeology and the Old Testament] by Patrick Zukeran
 +
* [https://www.probe.org/the-archaeological-evidence-for-the-bible-is-non-existent/ The Archaeological Evidence for the Bible is Non-Existent!] A reply from James F. Williams
 +
 
 +
'''Bible archaeology and dating:'''
 +
 
 +
* [http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2020 Dating in Archaeology: Challenges to Biblical Credibility] by Garry K. Brantley, M.A., M.Div.
 +
 
 +
=== Christian worldview/Christian philosophy ===
 +
* [http://www.rzim.org/ Ravi Zacharias, modern apologist]
 +
* [http://www.str.org/ Stand to Reason]
 +
* [http://www.leaderu.com/menus/theology.html Leadership U]
 +
* [http://www.worldview.org Worldview Academy]
 +
 
 +
'''Videos on atheism:'''
 +
 
 +
*[[Atheism videos|Videos on atheism]]
 +
 
 +
'''Websites, articles and videos focusing on atheism:'''
 +
 
 +
*[[Atheism website resources]]
 +
*[[True Free Thinker]].
 +
*[http://www.fixed-point.org Fixed Point Foundation] &mdash; Committed to publicly defending Christianity by empowering Christians and challenging skeptics.
 +
*[[Rebuttals to atheist arguments|Rebuttals to common atheist arguments]]
 +
 
 +
=== Creation science ministries and other resources===
 +
*[http://associationforcreation.org/ The International Association For Creation]
 +
*[http://creationnetwork.org/ The Creation Network]
 +
*[http://visitcreation.org/ The Big Map of Creation]
 +
* [https://creation.com/ Creation Ministries International]
 +
* [http://www.answersingenesis.org Answers in Genesis]
 +
* [https://www.icr.org Institute for Creation Science]
 +
 
 +
[[Conservapedia]] articles on evolution and creation science:
 +
 
 +
*[[Evolution]]
 +
*[[Creation science]]
 +
 
 +
=== Bible prophecy articles and websites ===
 +
 
 +
'''Analysis of Bible prophecy from Christian scholars/apologists'''
 +
 
 +
*[http://sciencespeaks.dstoner.net/Prophetic_Accuracy.html#c8 Science speaks - Prophetic accuracy] by Dr. Peter Stoner
 +
*[http://www.drjbloom.com/public%20files/PubTheoData.pdf Public Theology and Prophecy Data - Factual Evidence that Counts for a Worldview] by Dr. John Bloom, Robert C. Newman, and Hugh G. Gouch, Jr.
 +
*[http://www.ankerberg.com/Articles/ATRJ/proof/ATRJ1103PDF/ATRJ1103-16.pdf The Case for Jesus the Messiah — Incredible Prophecies that Prove God Exist] by Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. John Weldon and Dr. Walter Kaiser Jr.
 +
*[http://www.johnankerberg.com/Articles/_PDFArchives/apologetics/AP1W1299.pdf The Case for Jesus the Messiah — Incredible Prophecies that Prove God Exist - Part Two] by Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. John Weldon and Dr. Walter Kaiser Jr.
 +
*[http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/ AboutBibleprophecy]
 +
*[http://www.allaboutthejourney.org/prophecy-about-jesus.htm Prophecy about Jesus]
 +
*[http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2009/12/07/ezekiel-261-14-a-proof-text-for-inerrancy-or-fallibility-of-the-old-testament.aspx#Article Defense of city of Tyre prophecy]
 +
 
 +
'''Rebuttal to atheist Steven Carr concerning Bible prophecy:'''
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.tektonics.org/af/carrs01.html Steven Carr's The Jury Is In Chapter 11: Rebuttal] by [[JP Holding]]
 +
 
 +
=== Biblical inerrancy resources ===
 +
* [http://www.tektonics.org Tekton Apologetics Ministries]
 +
* [http://www.christian-thinktank.com Christian Thinktank]
 +
* [http://www.inerrancy.org/ Inerrancy.org]
 +
* [http://www.christianthinktank.com/ A Christian Thinktank]
 +
 
 +
=== Free Christian apologetics books ===
 +
 
 +
*[https://www.whyfaith.com/docs/The%20Historical%20Reliability%20of%20the%20New%20Testament.pdf The Historical Reliability of the New Testament] by Dan Hewer
  
−
==External Links==
+
*[https://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2009/07/free-apologetics-e-book-library.html Free Apologetics E-Book Library]
−
*[http://www.allaboutgod.com All About GOD] - Answers to many qustioins regarding Christianity
 
−
*[http://www.ApologeticsWiki.com/ Christian Apologetics Wiki] [[Wiki]] Based Christian Apologetics
 
−
*[http://www.apologetics.com Apologetics.com]
 
−
*[http://www.actministry.org Academy for Christian Thought]
 
−
*[http://www.leaderu.com/menus/theology.html Leadership U]
 
−
*[http://www.windmillministries.org Windmill Ministries]
 
−
*[http://www.tektonics.org/classics/classics.html Classic Works of Apologetics]
 
−
*[http://www.christian-thinktank.com Christian Thinktank]
 
−
*[http://www.str.org/ Stand to Reason]
 
−
*[http://www.probe.org/ Probe Ministries -Christian Apologetics]
 
−
*[http://www.apologeticsinfo.org/resource.html Apologetics Information Ministry]
 
−
*[http://www.carm.org/apologetics.htm Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry]
 
−
*[http://www.rbc.org/rtb/ 10 Reasons to Believe]
 
−
*[http://hisdefense.org/Links/Authors/tabid/297/Default.aspx  Academy of Christian Apologetics]
 
−
*[http://www.ses.edu/journal/ Christian Apologetic Journal]
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{reflist|2}}
 
{{reflist|2}}
  
−
== External Links ==
+
[[Category:Apologetics]]
−
<small>
+
[[Category:Christian Apologetics]]
−
*[http://www.allaboutgod.com AllAboutGOD.com]
+
[[Category:Christian Authors]]
−
*[http://www.carm.org Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry]
+
[[Category:Christianity]]
−
*[http://www.apologetics.com Apologetics.com]
 
−
*[http://www.apologeticsinfo.org/resource.html Apologetics Information Ministry]
 
−
*[http://www.tektonics.org/classics/classics.html Classic Works of Apologetics]
 
−
*[http://hisdefense.org/Links/Authors/tabid/297/Default.aspx  Academy of Christian Apologetics]
 
−
*[http://www.leaderu.com/menus/theology.html Leadership U]
 
−
*[http://www.lifeway.com/apologetics LifeWay Apologetics]
 
−
*[http://www.probe.org/ Probe Ministries -Christian Apologetics]
 
−
*[http://www.rzim.org/ Ravi Zacharias, modern apologist]
 
−
*[http://www.ses.edu/journal/ Christian Apologetic Journal]
 
−
*[http://www.str.org/ Stand to Reason]
 
−
*[http://www.tektonics.org Tekton Apologetics Ministries]
 
−
*[http://www.christian-thinktank.com Christian Thinktank]
 
−
*[http://www.worldview.org Worldview Academy]
 
−
*[http://www.arcapologetics.org/ Apologetics Resource Center]
 
−
</small>
 
−
 
 
−
[[Category: Christian Apologetics]]
 

Latest revision as of 05:55, January 25, 2026

Jesus5.jpg
Christianity

Foundations
Jesus Christ
The Gospel

Bible
Old Testament
New Testament
Ten Commandments

Christian Theology
Trinity: Father,
Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit
Atonement
Nicene Creed
Creation
Defense of Christianity
Salvation

History and Traditions
Messianic Judaism
Roman Catholic Church
Arianism
Orthodox Church
Crusades
Protestant Reformation
Counter Reformation
Protestantism
Missions
Great Awakening
Social Gospel
Mainline
Liberal Christians
Evangelical Christians
Fundamentalism

Important Figures
Saint Paul
Saint Athanasius
Saint Augustine
Thomas Aquinas
Martin Luther
John Calvin
Jonathan Edwards
John Wesley
Pope

Christian apologetics is the defense of the Christian faith through evidence and logic-based arguments.[1] Compelling evidence for Christianity includes:

Christian apologetics are based on evidence, reason, history, linguistics, science, and human experience. Atheistic societies or values are notoriously inhumane and hostile to freedom of speech.

Three major schools of Christian apologetics are: classical apologetics, evidential apologetics and presuppositional apologetics. A lesser-known school of Christian apologetics is integrated apologetics which is a system of Christian apologetics introduced by Johnson C. Philip. Philip is a Christian apologist from India and he argues that while each school of Christian apologetics contains a part of the truth, they tend to be too narrow to do justice to the broad field of Christian apologetics. He proposes that all these schools of apologetics should be integrated into a harmonious whole.[10]

There are a number of subfields within apologetics. Some apologists specialize in internal biblical consistency (such as JP Holding, owner of the website 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). Although some feel that their faith needs no justification, 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 temple and the synagogues, debating and explaining the meaning of the scriptures. The Apostle Peter exhorted early Christians to practice 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 Athanasius, Irenaeus, Justin 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.[11]

Purposes

Apologetics has generally been used for two purposes: Efforts to persuade others of the truth of Christianity, and efforts to defend the reasonableness of one's own beliefs, while not seeking to convince others of their truth.

Types of Christian Apologetics

Evidentialist apologetics

Evidential apologetics seeks to defend Christian belief through evidence. This can take the form of:

Philosophical apologetics

William Paley was an advocate of the teleological argument.

One of the most famous statements about the teleological argument using the watchmaker analogy was given by William Paley in his 1802 book Natural Theology or Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity.[12]

Philosophical apologetics seeks to defend Christian belief through philosophical argument: primarily arguments for the existence of God. This can take the form of:

  • The Teleological argument: When you find a watch in the sand, you infer that it is designed, even if you do not see the designer, because it is complex, has a definite purpose, and could not have come to be through any known non-intelligent causes. Therefore, when we observe a complex, purposeful universe which could not have come to be through any known non-intelligent cause, it is reasonable to infer the existence of a designer, aka God.
This is connected to the anthropic principle, which is the argument that so much fine-tuning and exact physiological constants allows us to be here, provides evidence in support of an intelligent designer.

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.[16] This verifies the very first three words of the Bible: "In the beginning."

  • The 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.
  • The Argument from morality: All humans are born with a natural, moral code. A moral code implies a moral code giver, aka God.

Presuppositional apologetics

Presuppositional Apologetics seek to defend Christian belief by showing that belief in Christian precepts is necessary to make sense of the human experience as a whole.

Growth of Christian apologetics in the world today while atheist apologetics is stagnating

Today, there is a growth of Christian apologetics in the world, while the atheist apologetic community is in a state of stagnation. See: Growth of Christian apologetics

Evidence and arguments for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Dr. Simon Greenleaf is often cited in the field of Christian legal apologetics.

See also: Christian Apologetics and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is critical to the Christian faith. The Apostle Paul wrote, "if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain" (I Corinthians:15:14).

There is a great amount of compelling evidence from multiple lines of evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ (See: Evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ).

Traditionally, Christianity has believed in a physical resurrection of Jesus Christ.[17] The Christian apologist Michael Horner of CRU has an excellent resource which offers a defense of the resurrection of Jesus Christ entitled Did Jesus really rise from the dead?. In addition, Dr. Gary Habermas offers an online audio library which defends the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In recent history, Dr. Gary Habermas is considered the foremost Christian apologist for defending the resurrection of Jesus.[18][19][20][21][22] Dr. Habermas had a debate against the philosopher Antony Flew regarding the resurrection which was chronicled in the work Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? The Resurrection Debate and the debate had a panel of debate judges. J. Hampton Keathley, III, Th.M. in his essay Evidences for the Resurrection wrote: "The decision of the judges were as follows. The panel of philosophers judging content cast four votes for Habermas who argued for the fact of the resurrection, none for Flew, and one draw. The panel of professional debate judges voted three to two, also in favor of Habermas, this time regarding the method of argumentation technique." [23]

In recent history some notable defenders of the resurrection include: William Lane Craig, Ben Witherington, Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell, Edwin M. Yamauchi, N.T. Wright and Michael Horner.[24][25][26][27][28]

Legal scholars, legal authorities, and eminent lawyers such as Simon Greenleaf, John Warwick Montgomery, Lord Darling, John Singleton Copley, Hugo Grotius, Lord Caldecote, J. N. D. Anderson, Lionel Luckhoo, and many others have asserted that western legal standards argue for the resurrection of Christ.[29][30][31][32][33] See: Christian legal apologetics

Christian Apologetic Ministries

There are a number of Internet based Christian apologetic Ministries or Christian apologetics ministries which have an Internet presence. Some of the more notable Christian apologetic ministries are: Reasonable Faith, Ravi Zacharias Ministries, Fixed Point Foundation,[34] Tekton Apologetics Ministries, LeadershipU, Probe Ministries, Christian Answers Network, Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry, A Christian Thinktank, Answers for Hope, Brace E. Barber and Catholic Answers.[35]

Brace E. Barber leads a Christian Apologetics Ministry. Brace brings a message of hope along with step-by-step instructions to churches, parents and organizations in order retain youth raised in Christian homes in the Christian faith. Brace challenges commonly held assumptions about the shallow nature of Christian youth education. Brace is a West Point graduate and Army Veteran. He brings a military-strategist mindset to the problem of the loss of youth from the Christian Church. He provides insights, analysis and solutions to solve the problem.

Christian websites with a large focus on the topic of atheism

True Freethinker is a Christian apologetics Facebook page run by Ken Ammi which offers many refutations of atheism.
See also: Atheism vs. Christianity

Four of the more notable Christian apologetics which have a large focus on the topic of atheism are: True Freethinker, the Creation Ministries International resources on atheism and the Fixed Point Foundation website.

Christian apologetics clubs on college campuses

Ratio Christi is a global movement that equips university students and faculty to give historical, philosophical, and scientific reasons for following Jesus Christ.

The Christian apologetics organization Stand to Reason wrote:

“ Ratio Christi, a fairly new apologetics organization that is seeking to change the intellectual atmosphere at universities by bringing Christianity into public, academic discussion. Their goal is to start on-campus apologetics clubs at 500 universities in the next five years. This is where you come in--because it’s also Ratio Christi’s goal to connect each of these clubs with a person who has been trained in apologetics (but who probably has a different day job) to act as chapter director.

Ratio Christi helps each chapter organize one or two campus-wide events a year by connecting them with speakers and debaters like William Lane Craig and Gary Habermas, helping them find the funding, etc. But after the event has come and gone, the lay apologist is still there to lead discussions and interact with the Christians, skeptics, atheists, and seekers who may never have realized that Christianity has a weighty intellectual tradition behind it.[36]

”

Christianity apologetics and the developing world

See also: Christian apologetics and education

Because of the rapid growth of Christianity in the developing world where people often have modest incomes, there is a large pent up demand for theological/Christian apologetic higher education which has spawned various initiatives such as Trinity Graduate School of Apologetics and Theology which offers free/low cost training in these academic disciplines.[37][38] Trinity has over 40 international, highly qualified, and highly experienced faculty members and mentors.[39] The majority of degrees obtained through Trinity are done so through distance learning over the internet.

Students from developing countries receive a free education from Trinity and students from developed countries pay a nominal registration, but they pay no fees.[40]

Growth of creationist apologetics and its effect on Christendom

Answers in Genesis is a Christian apologetics ministry which offers origins apologetics and other Christian apologetics.

See also: Answers in Genesis and Creation Ministries International and Global creationism and Growth of evangelical Christianity

Dr. Johnson C. Philip & Dr. Saneesh Cherian wrote in their work Introduction To Integrated Christian Apologetics]]:

“ American evangelical Christians have began to notice in the fifties that compromise is a slow poison that ultimately destroys respect for truth. Some of them came together and started writing aggressively on themes defending the historical and scientific reliability of the Bible. This gave birth to the modern interest in Apologetics and Creationism. At the dawn of the twenty-first century the influence of this revival has spread all over the world, and today more than one hundred and fifty organizations function around the world, devoted solely to apologetics. Their influence has be so strong that a large number of Seminaries all around the world have begun assert the historical and scientific reliability of the Bible...

...with the birth of the modern creationism and apologetics, a revival set in motion among the evangelical Christians. This group became quite vocal and aggressive in the sixties, and by seventies they started exerting significant influence among theologians, thinkers, and the Bible teachers all over the world.

Thousands of apologetic books, hundreds of magazines, and tens of thousands of articles have been produced defending the Bible since. In turn, this has started to diminish the influence of rationalists and radicals on Christians.

From the middle of the nineteenth to the middle of the twentieth century the rationalists had their heyday, snatching away millions of young people from their Christian faith and commitment. The wounds of this loss can been seen in Christendom even today, but at the same time this loss has been greatly minimized now because of the work of Christian apologists.

Today anyone desiring to know about the Bible, and its connection with science, evolution, history, archaeology, has read any number of books on this topic. Literally thousands of titles are available, and he can choose anywhere from the most simple books to the most technically advanced ones. Thus the modern apologetics movement has been able to arrest the way in which rationalists have been bleeding the Christian church.[41]

”

Recommended books

Ex-atheist Lee Strobel

General Christian apologetics:

  • Carl Gallups, The Magic Man in the Sky: Effectively Defending the Christian Faith, WND Books, 2012, ISBN 1936488523 [3]
  • Josh McDowell, The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict Fully Updated To Answer The Questions Challenging Christians Today, 1999, ISBN 0785242198
  • Lee Strobel, Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus , Zondervan, 1998, ISBN 0310209307
  • Gary Habermas and Michael Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, Kregel Publications, 2004, ISBN 0825427886
  • Brace E. Barber, TESTED: A New Strategy for Keeping Kids in the Faith 2018, ISBN 978-0967829241

Old Testament apologetics:

  • Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., The Old Testament Documents: Are They Reliable & Relevant?, IVP Academic, 2001, ISBN 0830819754
  • Kenneth Kitchen, On The Reliability of the Old Testament, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2006. ISBN 0802803962

Biblical creation apologetics:

  • R. C. Sproul, Not a Chance: The Myth of Chance in Modern Science and Cosmology, Baker Book House: 1994[44] ISBN 080105852X

History of Christian apologetics books

  • The History of Apologetics: A Biographical and Methodological Introduction, ‎Zondervan Academic (June 16, 2020), ISBN-13: 978-0310559412

Christian apologetics books on atheism

Major Christian apologetics websites and their web traffic

See: Major Christian apologetics websites and their web traffic

See also

External links

"The Resurrection" by Carl Heinrich Bloch

See also: Christian apologetics websites and articles and Major Christian apologetics websites and their web traffic

Videos:

Introduction to Christian apologetics video series

General Christian apologetics websites

Historical and legal apologetics

Christ on the Cross by Jacques Louis David.

Historical apologetics:

Christian legal apologetics:

Bible archaeology

Bible archaeology and dating:

Christian worldview/Christian philosophy

Videos on atheism:

Websites, articles and videos focusing on atheism:

Creation science ministries and other resources

Conservapedia articles on evolution and creation science:

Bible prophecy articles and websites

Analysis of Bible prophecy from Christian scholars/apologists

Rebuttal to atheist Steven Carr concerning Bible prophecy:

Biblical inerrancy resources

Free Christian apologetics books

References

  1. ↑ The word apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia (from Greek ἀπολογία), which means "speaking in defense." Christian witness to Jesus Christ in an informal, spontaneous setting, most often in conversation, is an oral form of Christian apologetics. See 1 Peter 3:15.
  2. ↑ Non-believers falsely assert that the Gospels were not written until decades after the fact, when the evidence indicates otherwise (see, e.g., date of Mark). Regardless, the truth of what was written remains proven by their corroboration among ethnic adversaries.
  3. ↑ Provide information on Simon Greenleaf's Testimony of the Evangelist. Also, does Simon Greenlead indicate that the four gospels corroborate each other?
  4. ↑ Do Christians indicate that the Bible has many fulfilled prophecies? Please summarize the book Science Speaks by Peter Stoner.
  5. ↑ How much influence did Jesus have on the world? How much influence has Christianity had on the world? Also, please cover Dr. James Kennedy's work What if Jesus was not born?. Please cover the article "The Triumph of the Gospel of Love" at: http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/church_history/themistocles_triumph_love.html Also, cover the article The Surprising Discovery About Those Colonialist, Proselytizing Missionaries at https://archive.is/cDMnA#selection-1017.0-1017.76
  6. ↑ "In fact the author of the Epistle shows great familiarity with the rules of the Greek literary language of his age. ... His writing may even be included among those examples of artistic Greek prose whose rhythm recalls the parallelism of Hebrew poetry." [1]
  7. ↑ Paul was among the elite in the Middle East, but the Epistle to the Hebrews is far above the Greek writings by Paul.
  8. ↑ See, e.g., Matthew 7:13-14.
  9. ↑ The flash of light captured on the Shroud includes even the flesh and bones of the man, analogous to an X-ray. Non-believers cling to doubt based on a 1988 carbon-dating of a corner sample containing cotton fibers, which was not an uncontaminated original. [2]
  10. ↑ Integrated Apologetics at CreationWiki.
  11. ↑ e.g. Acts 18:25-26; James 5:19-20.
  12. ↑ William Paley - William Carey University
  13. ↑ Evidences for God From Space—Laws of Science
  14. ↑ Thompson, Bert, So Long, Eternal Universe; Hello Beginning, Hello End!, 2001 (Apologetics Press)
  15. ↑ http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/AstroPhysicalSciences14.html
  16. ↑ http://www.harvardhouse.com/Science-Religion.htm
  17. ↑ http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/crj0056a.txt
  18. ↑ http://www.garyhabermas.com/articles/dialog_rexperience/dialog_rexperiences.htm
  19. ↑ http://www.tektonics.org/books/lichabrvw.html
  20. ↑ http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/NTeSources/NTArticles/CTR-NT/Habermas-Resurrection2-CTR.pdf
  21. ↑ http://www.garyhabermas.com/articles/crj_explainingaway/crj_explainingaway.htm
  22. ↑ http://www.apologetics.com/default.jsp?bodycontent=/articles/historical_apologetics/habermas-nt.html
  23. ↑ http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=639
  24. ↑ http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/menus/historical.html
  25. ↑ http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/easter/articles/josh2.html
  26. ↑ http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/easter/articles/yama.html
  27. ↑ http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Early_Traditions.htm
  28. ↑ http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/jesusrose1/
  29. ↑ http://www.bibleteacher.org/sgtestimony.htm
  30. ↑ http://www.mtio.com/articles/bissart1.htm
  31. ↑ http://www.ankerberg.com/Articles/apologetics/AP0302W3.htm
  32. ↑ http://lawreligionculturereview.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_lawreligionculturereview_archive.html
  33. ↑ http://www.trinitysem.edu/journal/philjohnsonpap.html
  34. ↑ http://www.fixed-point.org
  35. ↑ http://www.catholic.com
  36. ↑ Ratio Christi Apologetics Clubs
  37. ↑ Global survey documents theological education trends, Anglican Community News Service, September 19, 2013
  38. ↑ Why Free Graduate Theology Programs
  39. ↑ Trinity International Committee
  40. ↑ Why Free Graduate Theology Programs
  41. ↑ Introduction To Integrated Christian Apologetics, Dr. Johnson C. Philip & Dr. Saneesh Cherian
  42. ↑ http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/darwin.html
  43. ↑ https://www.icr.org/store/index.php?main_page=pubs_product_book_info&products_id=2176
  44. ↑ http://www.ldolphin.org/chance.html
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