Turning the Tables on Apologetics

Turning the Tables on Apologetics PDF Author: Jeffrey L. Hamm
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1532645228
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 245

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Book Description
Does apologetic method matter? Helmut Thielicke argues that the method should conform to its own message. He thus rejects traditional apologetic methodologies beholden to supposedly neutral scientific and philosophical paradigms. Seeking to reform Christian conversation, Thielicke discovers a lost way of persuasion, that is, the table-turning approach found in Christ’s conversations. Whenever Jesus is questioned, he seldom answers directly. For he refuses to allow the conversation to be framed by an autonomous mindset, and instead responds with a counterquestion. Christ’s style of persuasion—as the controller of the question—subverts his hearers’ presuppositions and challenges their unbelief. This approach is the reverse of the defensive, answer-giving mode of traditional apologetics. In view of renewing Christ’s method, Thielicke insists that the task of apologetics is “something which is always on the offensive and, far from giving ready-made answers to the doubtful questions of men, turns the tables by putting questions on its own account—aggressive, violent, radical questions—and striking straight to the hearts of men.” Christian conversation must integrate Christ’s method with his message in order to advocate the message itself. For it is not the world that questions Christ, but rather Christ questions the world.

Turning the Tables on Apologetics

Turning the Tables on Apologetics PDF Author: Jeffrey L. Hamm
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1532645228
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 245

Get Book

Book Description
Does apologetic method matter? Helmut Thielicke argues that the method should conform to its own message. He thus rejects traditional apologetic methodologies beholden to supposedly neutral scientific and philosophical paradigms. Seeking to reform Christian conversation, Thielicke discovers a lost way of persuasion, that is, the table-turning approach found in Christ’s conversations. Whenever Jesus is questioned, he seldom answers directly. For he refuses to allow the conversation to be framed by an autonomous mindset, and instead responds with a counterquestion. Christ’s style of persuasion—as the controller of the question—subverts his hearers’ presuppositions and challenges their unbelief. This approach is the reverse of the defensive, answer-giving mode of traditional apologetics. In view of renewing Christ’s method, Thielicke insists that the task of apologetics is “something which is always on the offensive and, far from giving ready-made answers to the doubtful questions of men, turns the tables by putting questions on its own account—aggressive, violent, radical questions—and striking straight to the hearts of men.” Christian conversation must integrate Christ’s method with his message in order to advocate the message itself. For it is not the world that questions Christ, but rather Christ questions the world.

Evidence That Demands a Verdict

Evidence That Demands a Verdict PDF Author: Josh McDowell
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 1401676715
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 879

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Book Description
Everything you need to effectively defend the truths of the Bible and the beliefs of the Christian faith. Winner of the 2018 ECPA Christian Book award for Bible Reference Works. The truth of the Bible doesn't change, but its critics do. Now with his son, Sean McDowell, speaker and author Josh McDowell has updated and expanded the modern apologetics classic for a new generation. Evidence That Demands a Verdict provides an expansive defense of Christianity's core truths, rebuttals to some recent and popular forms of skepticism, and insightful responses to the Bible's most difficult and misused passages. It invites readers to bring their doubts and doesn't shy away from the tough questions. Topics and questions are covered in four main parts: Evidence for the Bible Evidence for Jesus Evidence for the Old Testament Evidence for Truth Also included, you'll find: An introduction about the biblical mandate to defend one's faith and why our faith is built on facts. A prologue describing why we live in a theistic universe. A closing response to the specific challenges of atheist New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman. Two reflections: "How to Know God Personally" and "He Changed My Life." Serving as a go-to reference for even the toughest questions, Evidence that Demands a Verdict continues to encourage and strengthen millions by providing Christians the answers they need to defend their faith against the harshest critics and skeptics. "Here's a treasure trove of apologetic gems! This is an indispensable book that all Christians should keep within reach." —Lee Strobel, bestselling author of The Case for Christ

Christian Apologetics

Christian Apologetics PDF Author: Douglas Groothuis
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 1514002760
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 723

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Book Description
People are hungry for hope. They want to understand our human condition—its origin, nature, purpose, and destiny. The Christian faith offers hope for individuals and the entire universe, grounded in absolute truth. But how can we know that Christianity is true? And how can Christians confidently present their beliefs in the face of doubts and competing views? In this comprehensive text, Douglas Groothuis makes a clear and rigorous case for Christian theism. Demonstrating how apologetics must be both rational and winsome, he addresses the most common questions and objections people raise regarding Christianity. After laying a foundation with the biblical basis for apologetics, apologetic method, and a defense of objective truth, he presents key arguments for the reality of God, a case for the credibility of Jesus, and evidence for the resurrection. Groothuis also evaluates alternative views and responds to challenges such as religious pluralism and the problem of evil. The second edition of this landmark work has been updated throughout to address current issues and sources. It includes new chapters on topics such as doubt and the hiddenness of God, the atonement, the church, and lament as a Christian apologetic. To know God in Christ, Groothuis argues, means that we desire to make Christian truth available to others in the most compelling form possible. Students, ordinary Christians, and seasoned philosophers will all find a wise guide for this endeavor in Christian Apologetics.

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS PDF Author: Robert Mackintosh
Publisher: Christian Publishing House
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 149

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Book Description
Mackintosh offers the reader fundamental arguments for the Christian faith in the introduction to Christian Apologetics designed for beginners and intermediate apologists. This short work includes three preliminary chapters on the nature of apologetics, faith, and reason. The remaining chapters address topics such as the sinlessness of Jesus, the resurrection, difficulties in the Old Testament, and miracles. And the book closes out with four appendices chapters on how to explain and handle Bible difficulties.

Christobiography

Christobiography PDF Author: Craig S. Keener
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 1467456764
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 796

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Book Description
Demonstrates the reliability of the canonical gospels by exploring the genre of ancient biography The canonical gospels are ancient biographies, narratives of Jesus’s life. The authors of these gospels were intentional in how they handled historical information and sources. Building on recent work in the study of ancient biographies, Craig Keener argues that the writers of the canonical gospels followed the literary practices of other biographers in their day. In Christobiography he explores the character of ancient biography and urges students and scholars to appreciate the gospel writers’ method and degree of accuracy in recounting the ministry of Jesus. Keener’s Christobiography has far-reaching implications for the study of the canonical gospels and historical-Jesus research. Table of Contents: Introduction Part 1. Biographies about Jesus 2. Not a Novel Proposal 3. Examples and Development of Ancient Biography 4. What Sort of Biographies Are the Gospels? 5. What Did First-Century Audiences Expect of Biographies? Part 2 Biographies and History 6. Biographies and Historical Information 7. What Historical Interests Meant in Antiquity 8. Luke-Acts as Biohistory 9. Sources Close to the Events Part 3. Testing the Range of Deviation 10. Case Studies: Biographies of Recent Characters Use Prior Information 11. Flex Room: Literary Techniques in Ancient Biographies Part 4. Two Objections to Gospels as Historical Biographies 12. What about Miracles? 13. What about John? Part 5. Memories about Jesus: Memories before Memoirs 14. Memory Studies 15. Jesus Was a Teacher 16. Oral Tradition, Oral History 17. The Implications of This Study

The Prophetic Apologetic

The Prophetic Apologetic PDF Author: Jonathan Ammon
Publisher: Lowerlight Books
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 182

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Book Description
In a world of growing skepticism, Charismatic Christianity offers a bold approach to defending the faith. In THE PROPHETIC APOLOGETIC, Jonathan Ammon demonstrates how supernatural encounters with Jesus are central to our relationship with God and the defense of the Christian faith. This concise guide introduces an extraordinary approach to apologetics. You will learn how a charismatic worldview can help you reason with skeptics. You will learn how charismatic theology offers unique answers to skepticism’s biggest arguments, and how a charismatic lifestyle better enables you to share your faith. More than a one-stop manual for defending the faith, this book re-centers Christian philosophy and apologetics on the supernatural. Discover what the Bible has to say about God’s ongoing revelation of Himself through Jesus and the miraculous power of God.

Tactics

Tactics PDF Author: Gregory Koukl
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310282926
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 210

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Book Description
Tired of finding yourself flat-footed and intimidated in conversations? Want to increase your confidence and skill in discussions with family, friends, and coworkers? Gregory Koukl offers practical strategies to help you stay in the driver's seat as you maneuver comfortably and graciously in any conversation about your Christian convictions.

Humble Apologetics

Humble Apologetics PDF Author: John G. Stackhouse Jr.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198031564
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 280

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Book Description
Is it still possible, in an age of religious and cultural pluralism, to engage in Christian apologetics? How can one urge one's faith on others when such a gesture is typically regarded with suspicion, if not outright resentment? In Humble Apologetics John G. Stackhouse brings his wide experience as a historian, philosopher, journalist, and theologian to these important questions and offers surprising--and reassuring--answers. Stackhouse begins by acknowledging the real impediments to Christian testimony in North America today and to other faiths in modern societies around the world. He shows how pluralism, postmodernism, skepticism, and a host of other factors create a cultural milieu resistant to the Christian message. And he shows how the arrogance or dogmatism of apologists themselves can alienate rather than attract potential converts. Indeed, Stackhouse argues that the crucial experience of conversion cannot be compelled; all the apologist can do is lead another to the point where an actual encounter with Jesus can take place. Finally, he shows how displaying an attitude of humility, instead of merely trying to win religious arguments, will help believers offer their neighbors the gift of Christ's love. Drawing on the author's personal experience and written with an engaging directness and an unassuming nature, Humble Apologetics provides sound guidance on how to share Christian faith in a postmodern world.

Humble Apologetics

Humble Apologetics PDF Author: John Gordon Stackhouse
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0195307178
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 281

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Book Description
Publisher description: Is it still possible, in an age of religious and cultural pluralism, to engage in Christian apologetics? How can one urge one's faith on others when such a gesture is typically regarded with suspicion, if not outright resentment? In Humble Apologetics John G. Stackhouse brings his wide experience as a historian, philosopher, journalist, and theologian to these important questions and offers surprising--and reassuring--answers. Stackhouse begins by acknowledging the real impediments to Christian testimony in North America today and to other faiths in modern societies around the world. He shows how pluralism, postmodernism, skepticism about our ability to know the truth, and a host of other factors create a cultural milieu resistant to the Christian message. And he shows how the arrogance or dogmatism of apologists themselves can alienate rather than attract potential converts. Indeed, Stackhouse argues that the crucial experience of conversion cannot be compelled; all the apologist can do is lead another to the point where an actual encounter with Jesus can take place. "Our objective," Stackhouse writes, "is to offer whatever assistance we can to our neighbors toward their full maturity: toward full health in themselves and in their relationships, and especially toward God." In the last part of the book, he shows how an attitude of humility, instead of merely trying to win religious arguments, will help believers offer their neighbors the gift of Christ's love. Drawing on the author's personal experience and written with an engaging directness and humility, Humble Apologetics provides sound guidance on how to share Christian faith in a postmodern world.

A History of Apologetics

A History of Apologetics PDF Author: Avery Dulles
Publisher: Ignatius Press
ISBN: 164229036X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 452

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Book Description
Making the case for the Christian faith—apologetics—has always been part of the Church's mission. Yet Christians sometimes have had different approaches to defending the faith, responding to the needs of their respective times and framing their arguments to address the particular issues of their day. Cardinal Avery Dulles's A History of Apologetics provides a masterful overview of Christian apologetics, from its beginning in the New Testament through the Middle Ages and on to the present resurgence of apologetics among Catholics and Protestants. Dulles shows how Christian apologists have at times both criticized and drawn from their intellectual surroundings to present the reasonableness of Christian belief. Written by one of Catholicism's leading American theologians, A History of Apologetics also examines apologetics in the 20th and early 21st centuries including its decline among Catholics following Vatican II and its recent revival, as well as the contributions of contemporary Evangelical Protestant apologists. Dulles also considers the growing Catholic-Protestant convergence in apologetics. No student of apologetics and contemporary theology should be without this superb and masterful work.