CS: STARTS
Apologetics
Dr. Angus Menuge: Plenary Session - "Can We Talk About God?" Plenary Session - "Can We Talk About God?" (Plenary Session "Can We Talk About God?" (
Dr. Craig Keener- Palmer Theological Seminary, Eastern University
Dr. David Baggett-Liberty University
Dr. Angus Menuge - Concordia University
Mr. Mark Mittelberg –
Dr. David Horner- Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
Dr. Doug Geivett - Talbot School of Theology
Dr. Garry DeWeese- Talbot School of Theology
Dr. Holly Ordway - Houston Baptist University
Dr. Jeremy Evans Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Dr. Mark Foreman- Liberty University
Dr. Michael W. Austin- Eastern Kentucky University
Mr. Jeremy Carey- UC Berkeley
Mr. Michael Horner- Trinity Western University
Mr. Randy Newman
Ms. Mary Jo Sharp -Confident Christianity
Fred Sanders Fred Sanders: Soteriology
Kevin Lewis Craig Hazen Mike Licona Clay Jones Fazale Rana
apologetics: Wish fulfillment is not a good argument. Or argument for weakness
apologetics-Jewish teaching (choice) the beheriah –no miracle is so unambigues that it can’t be explained away as secular. No miracle
is so overwhelming that you have to receive it.
apologist: Lee Strobel, Gary Habermas, William Lane Craig, Mark Mittelberg, Greg Koukl, Michael Licona, Mike Austin, David
Baggett, Frank Beckwith, Jeremy Carey, Garry DeWeese, Jeremy Evans, Mark Foreman, David Horner, Randy Newman, Angus
Menuge, Holly Ordway, Daniel Wallace, apologeticsevents.com
Apologetics The Handbook on Christian Apologetics
apologetics Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., is the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute. His most recent book
is "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief.
apologetics - www.christianarts.net www.civa.org faith and form journal image: a journal of the arts and religion
www.radixmag.aol.com religion and the arts –boston, ma thirdway.org.uk
A world of difference by ken sample
Apologetics.com podcast
Reason to believe by hue ross (founder organization reason.org)
APOLOGETICS: Cosmological argument: .
APOLOGETICS: What I know, not what I believe –agnosticism/atheism. / The Source – make it up? * 50 reasons why people belief *
APOLOGETICS: Teleological argument: .
Theodicy A term coined by Leibnitz to refer to a theoretical justification of the goodness of God in the face of the presence of evil in
the world.
theopaschitism A disputed teaching, regarded by some as a heresy, which arose during the sixth century, associated with writers such
as John Maxentius and the slogan “one of the Trinity was crucified.” The formula can be interpreted in a perfectly orthodox sense and
was defended as such by Leontius of Byzantium. However, it was regarded as potentially misleading and confusing by more cautious
writers, including Pope Hormisdas (died 523), and the formula gradually fell into disuse.
Theodicy The study of the problem of evil in the world. The issue is raised in light of the sovereignty of God. How could a holy and
loving God who is in control of all things allow evil to exist? The answer has been debated for as long as the church has existed. We
still do not have a definitive answer and the Bible does not seek to justify God's actions. It is clear that God is sovereign, and that
He has willed the existence of both good and evil, and that all of this is for His own glory. Prov. 16:4 says, "The LORD works out
everything for his own ends -- even the wicked for a day of disaster"; Isaiah 45:7 says, "I form the light and create darkness, I bring
prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things."
Faith; Probability: It requires less faith to belief that the wisdom and truth I’ve learned from scriptures is true verses the countless
books of human’s best guess.
Apologetics is derived from the Greek word a)pologi/a(apologia) meaning "defense" or "answer." Apologetics is giving a reason for
the hope of Christianity and a defense of the gospel. Because of the identity of Christians with the One true God, the Christian
worldview is antithetical with the world of unbelievers who hate their Maker and thus Christianity as well. Christian apologetics
serves its Creator by affirming Him as the basis and purpose of rationality before men, and showing that the basis of other worldviews
cannot account for the reality they live in. The goal of reformed apologetics is to defend the gospel from the wisdom of the world by
silencing its foolishness and offering the only possible interpretation of reality in light and hope of Jesus Christ. Apologetics
(a)Presupisitionalism (b) Evidentialism The word "apologetics" is derived from the Greek word "apologia," which means to make a
defense. It has come to mean defense of the faith. Apologetics covers many areas: who Jesus is, the reliability of the Bible, refuting
cults, biblical evidences in the history and archeology, answering objections, etc. In short, it deals with giving reasons for Christianity
being the true religion. We are called by God to give an apologia, a defense: "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being
ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence,"
(1 Pet. 3:15).
Teleological argument An attempted proof of God's existence based upon the premise that the universe is designed and therefore
needs a designer: God.
Teleology is derived from the two Greek words, te/loj(telos) meaning "purpose or end" and lo/goj(logos) meaning "word." Teleology
is the study of the end or purpose of things. The study of final causes, results. Having a definite purpose, goal, or design.
Pascal's Wager The argument that believing in God is the most logical thing to do since if there is a God and you deny him, then you
are in trouble. If there is no god and you accept him, there is no problem because it doesn't matter. Logically, it is better to not deny
that God exists than to deny he does. There is truth to this argument, but the problem is that it does not define which "god" to believe
in since in many religions, believing in a different god brings a punishing judgment. Nevertheless, this does not excuse a person from
at least trying to discover if there is a God or not and who He might be.
Cosmological argument -An attempt to prove that God exists by appealing to the principle that all things have causes. There cannot
be an infinite regress of causes, therefore, there must be an uncaused cause: God.
Five Ways, the A standard term for the five "arguments for the existence of God" especially associated with Thomas Aquinas. See pp.
132-5.
APOLOGETICS: Pascal’s Wager
If:
And
There is a God
There is no God.
You believe in God.
You will go to heaven
Nothing lost.
You don’t believe in God
You go to hell.
Nothing gained.
(Apologetics)
 You are what you process –sketchbook
 Ravi Zacharia breaks a person’s worldviews down into theories on creation, meaning, morality, and destiny. Zacharias, Revi.
“Constructing A Coherent Worldview”. The Veritas Forum at Ohio State University
 (Cosmology=ideas about God,
 good works –James 2:15-17
 Romans 1:22, 23, 28. John 1:18; Eph. 2:4
 I Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
 Lev. 21:16-24 Sin and Disease are not from God.
 God leads you into truth - John 14:12.
 "Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil" - 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
 "Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good and perfect gift comes from God above" -James 1:16-17
 Yeshua –What did he say about himself
“No one has ever died an atheist…Few men are so obstinate in their atheism that a pressing danger will not compel them to the
knowledge of a divine power” –Plato.
The believe in god ceased with the invention of the light bulb. ?””
Chapter 16: The Harmartia Juggling Trio Sideshow
(Naturalism vs. Theism)
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Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life. - Buddha
“It is only by doubting that we eventually come to the truth” - Cicero
“Man are just like animals so long as they are subject to the ego” - The Upanishads
God does not die on the day when we cease to believe in a personal deity, but we die on the day when our lives cease to be
illumined by the steady radiance, renewed daily, of a wonder, the source of which is beyond all reason. -- Dag Hammarskjld
“Do you need proof of God? Does one light a torch to see the sun?” - Chinese Proverb
Man has such a predilection for systems and abstract deductions that he is ready to distort the truth intentionally; he is ready to deny
the evidence of his senses only to justify his logic. - Feodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky
Merely having an open mind is nothing. The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something
solid. – G.K. Chesterton.
Atheism is the source of all iniquities – Philo
▲ (Birds eye of much of the chapter.) Banner of Harmartia Juggling Trio between two Totem poles. They show questioning white
faces, glasses and ties, shrugging with arms up. The Chinese communist head says, “Religion slows down progress.” ▲ Eklez enters.
▲ Trio: Slice (Knife Thrower), Grim (Fire-Eater), and Haught (Sword Swollower). (Performers make a comment and throw the ball
to the next person in the group.) ***** While Grim (1) Makes comment (2) He burns his arm off. (3) Reaches down into his bodyharvesting bag. (4) Pulls out a long thin replacement arm. (5) Pops it on. (6) Uses it for more tricks.
(Apologetics)
 You are what you process –sketchbook
 Ravi Zacharia breaks a person’s worldviews down into theories on creation, meaning, morality, and destiny. Zacharias, Revi.
“Constructing A Coherent Worldview”. The Veritas Forum at Ohio State University
 (Cosmology=ideas about God,
 good works –James 2:15-17
 Romans 1:22, 23, 28. John 1:18; Eph. 2:4
 I Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
 Lev. 21:16-24 Sin and Disease are not from God.
 God leads you into truth - John 14:12.
 "Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil" - 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
 "Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good and perfect gift comes from God above" -James 1:16-17
 Yeshua –What did he say about himself
“No one has ever died an atheist…Few men are so obstinate in their atheism that a pressing danger will not compel them to the
knowledge of a divine power” –Plato.
The believe in god ceased with the invention of the light bulb. ?””
Chapter 22: Apologetics at Rabelais University: Substandard Study
▲ A (1) Cranium-crane (2.) Tongue and teeth connected to a gut and intestinal track. They are chained to a column supporting the
Rabelais University sign. ▲Eklez enters. ▲ Whisk says, “Hi Eklez, how have you been?”▲ Eklez says, “So, so…How about
you?”▲ Whisk says, “OK…▲They stand looking at each other. They both think, “Wow, this is awkward.” ▲ Whisk says, “Heard
your takin’ classes this semester.” ▲ Eklez says, “I need to get things schedule for next term.” ▲ Whisk says, “Here are the pilot
courses were offering.”▲ Eklez reads the catalogue. * Advanced Sedentary Lifestyles * Andamanese Language for International
Business * Executive Dumpster Diving * Franchising: The Key to Economic Universalism * Golf Course Conservationism * History
of Heroin: From Poppy to Dorm * Introduction to Road Rage * Marxist Critique of State Lotteries * Mutant Jellyfish Husbandry *
Nutritional Comfort Foods * Psychosis Therapy from Soap Opera Trauma * Thong Apparel: Textile Design * World Wide Web: A
Religion. ▲ Eklez asks, “Any Yeshua Mysticism courses? ▲ Whisk says, “Your always trying new stuff. ▲ Eklez looks hurt.
Whisk says, “Hey, I’m just playin’.”▲ Whisk says, “Not much Religion on course list - Islam, Zen, and Scholarly Theology.
▲ Eklez stands by a slightly opened door. Sign on it says, Professor: Dr Itor, Adult Education Class: Scholarly Theology. ▲ Itor
(Professor) lectures to class; Ishtar (a seeker), Dominus, Bison, Haught, Albee, Pickled Pup, and Cular. ▲ Itor says, “…The only
support text is my book. I will not require you to labor over the original archaic scriptures. ▲ Bison thinks, “Let the scholar
give an abridgment.” ▲ Bison places his hand on Ishtar’s leg and winks at Ishtar who is perusing the text book. ▲ She slaps his
hand. ▲ Pickled Pup says, “We’re fortunate to have access to scripture. Let’s dive in.” ▲ Ishtar says, “Punks right. If the book
is what it claims to be, it’s worth reading the actual text. ▲Itor turns red, blowing smoke and fire, and screams, “I did my
dissertation on these myths. Don’t screw with my syllabi!” ▲ Eklez sneaks away from the door.
Chapter 32: The Itinerant Mystic
▲ Evening at the carnival boardwalk. ▲ Eklez walks on pier with unbelievable, massive tears streaming down her face.
▲ The Rooster flies down and sits on the pier by her. ▲ Eklez says, “Dead…sob’…I’m left with a few memories. What hurts the
most is what those relationships could have been. ▲ The Rooster says, “Every pulse is finite and fleeting.” ▲ Eklez says “So,
what about Chant’s idea of Social Security. I’m done with this carnival. I’m finished with this life. I wish I were dead!”
▲ The Rooster says, “You are dead.” ▲ Eklez says “Nice metaphor Rooster, but I’m not in the mood! ▲ The Rooster says No
Eklez, you died from an over dose of pills a half a minute ago. ▲Operating room with her parents watching. ▲Suddenly they all
turn into skeletons and swirl around the Rooster. The Rooster’s eye is a clock ▲ (1) Profile. Rooster.▲ (2) Closer. Rooster. Rooster
says, “Kiss…”▲ (3) Rooster’s eye. “the.” Hands spins out of control and the hands come off and around the eye of the rooster.▲ (4)
Yellow light. “Alpha and Omega”
Accountability of Heathens: general revelation /natural theology vs. specific revelation
Agnosticism: Thomas Nagel talked about how he wanted atheism to be true-I don’t want their to be a God. Bertrand Russell was
once asked what he would say if he found himself standing before God on the judgment day and God asked him, 'Why didn’t you
believe in Me?' Russell replied, 'I would say, ‘Not enough evidence, God! Not enough evidence! If I didn’t believe in God would I
spend time trying to disprove God…bitter * Antitheistic argument Agnosticism is logical and people who subscribe to in may be very
intelligent.
Believers: Disciples: ▲Q: “The Disciples were lunatics or liers. They fudged Torah prophesies to position Yeshua as Messiah. ▲ A:
Naturalistically, the disciples were lunatics. All but John, who was banished, died a martyr’s death. The only way to explain their
devotion - they knowingly died for a charade or they were convinced Yeshua was the Messiah.
Believers: Hypocrisy: ▲ Slice says, Zealots are hypocrites, so why does god-consciousness mater? I don’t need god or religion. As
my own god I research agnostic reality and build a tailored morality. It’s superior to suicide bombers screaming “jihad” or “pro-life”.
* ▲ So many Yeshua zealots are apostates, so hypocritical and judgmental. How do they expect Homosexuals, Muslims, and Atheists
to glimpse any illumination from their creed when they emanate such anger? ▲ So don’t disregard Hamlet because the Shakespearian
actor forgets his lines. ▲ Many Western Apostates are materialistic and greedy, concerned only with their family’s autonomy, even at
the expense of injustices to others. Like the Salem Witch Trial. ▲ Most Apostates are scripturally illiterate. They’re not spiritual
fanatics; rather they are self-absorbed in a peculiar subculture. There problem isn’t too much spirituality…it’s too little! They need to
embrace true Yeshua Mysticism …demonstrate the love of Yeshua!
Evil Naturalism - Evil-world religions agree there is evil and have explanations. – a good god wouldn’t allow for evil, free choice.
Athist says their should be not evil. Yeshua mystics belief the point of life is to draw near to God. Do atheist belief that this world had
no evil and was void of individual choice would draw people towards Him. Free-will defense permits evil. God’s very nature is the
measurement of good. Are countries that are happier and freeier more spiritual? ▲ Haught says, Evil confirms naturalism. A God
would expunge disease and natural disasters. God would prohibit human freedom from inflict pain and suffering. It would annihilate
religious blasphemers who perform evil in its name.
Faith; Probability: It requires less faith to belief that the wisdom and truth I’ve learned from scriptures is true verses the countless
books of human’s best guess.
God, Enigmatic: ▲ Slice says, “Life doesn’t function the way I would have designed it. So, I will study rhetoric in attempt to
disprove god’s existence. ▲ Grim says, If god existed, it would be easy to understand. Like a simple myth. Mystical: see through
glass darkly. Phil 3:8. living in a fog.
God, judgement, He seemed to care for people; He loved the pagons, and judged the who claimed to know God. Lev- God kills off
an evil tribe with women and children. This is a tuff one. Human – the slef- the hurd – god judges the nations. We think so much about
the self as westerners. God also look at groups- you are part of a lineage. God judges you and your nation. You should not be content
to live alone. But, you should be helping in the spiritual struggle of a group . God judges people and groups.
God, judgement: ▲Q: “Why does Yeshua, loving and forgiving, seem so different from Yahweh, judgmental and warlike. ▲A:
While God doesn’t change, his covenant with humans did. Things were different before the Cross. A theological evolution is took
place to build a foundation for the “Peace Child”. Yeshua said he fulfilled the Old Law and Made all things new. His dealings seemed
to have a lot of external theocracy and legalism that would build a foundation for Yeshua’s holy heart and mind model.
God: Invisibility ▲ Slice says, There is no deity. It would make a colossal appearance that would negate the necessitation of
devotees’ obedience through faith. God would manifest to squelch my skepticism. ▲ Grim says, Science and human intellect has
debunked spiritual myth. Life has no metaphysical meanings outside of self preservation. While Grim (1) Makes comment (2) He
burns his arm off (3) Reaches down into his body-harvesting bag (4) Pulls out a long thin replacement arm (5) Pops it on (6) Uses it
for more tricks ▲ Slice says, No. We are advanced primates that evolved into spiritual beings. Morality is not religious; it is
adaptation for the good of the herd. It’s as if God wanted us to fall in love with his song, before we saw the actual musician play a
concert. God controls how much he reveals of himself to each person and tribe. Some come to Him with little revelation, and some
come with much revelation. Creation itself is sufficient enough to hold everyone accountable that there is a God -2 cor 2:6. Mathew
11. II Cor. 2:6-8 He even has hidden wisdom that he has chosen to not reveal.
God’s visibility: I’ve never met Socrates, but I believe he lived. I’ve never seen the wind but I feel its effect. My answer lies
somewhere between. -some will always doubt. Even before the risen lord. They had Moses and the prophets
Intelligence: Faith, anti-intellectual▲ “Apostateity is anti-science.” - - Freak Animals respond, “Yeshua Mysticism supports
scholarship. The earliest universities were spawned from churches. The relationship between theology and science has often been
unnecessarily volatile. The Scripture has never encouraged people to empty their minds but to development of the mind. ▲ The
Scripture suggests hat truth can also be found in nature. Scientists from around the world contextualize these epiphanies. Truth can
even be found in the most unlikely of places; such as this carnival. Truth does not contradict the Scripture , because the Divine
Scripture is the essence of truth. * valid proofs. Paradox.
Intelligence: John Calvin- The bible is God’s baby talk to us…”he is infinite in knowledge. Psalms was written when they thought the
earth was flat. We still use the same terminology in todays languges. Sunrise and sunset.
Monotheism ▲Q: How can you say there is one God (Monotheism) and believe in the Trinity (Yahweh, Yeshua, and the Sacred
Breeze). ▲A: Do any of you guys understand the Trinity. ▲A: No dude. I’ve heard the egg idea. The shell, white, and yoke are all
called Egg. But I’m a vegan and don’t like that example. ▲A: God’s nature is an enigma to me, even with scriptural hints.
Morality ▲Q: You don’t have to be deistic to be moral. ▲A: What is moral? Honest, Charitable, Monogamous, Honesty,
Philanthropy. Whose standard? ▲Q: Moral sensitivity that has evolved in us naturally. ▲ A: Atrocities are committed by deist and
atheist alike. I don’t believe people of faith are necessarily more moral. But I believe that Yeshua, the creator, embodies the moral
law. He reveals it in (general revelation) human conscience to all people and His moral dissertation (specific revelation) is available in
almost every language. Yeshua said believers and heretics are identified by their loving actions. ▲ Evil is the result of an immorality
world-view, such as Mein Kampf. Evil also happens despite a belief in a virtuous dogma, such as the “Sermon on the Mount”. Freewill
enables a drift from our world view. Thus, the apostates noncompliance to their virtuous dogma doesn’t nullify its integrity. Even the
Sadist occasionally show kindness, and the naturalist may be in a religious frame of mind. Even the most devote mystic finds their
mind drift toward agnosticism, if not in philosophy, then in actions. When humans mentally concur with a moral code, even one as
simple as human kindness, they will occasionally be a hypocrite. Objective moral values…J.L. Makee if there are objective values. It
makes god more probable.” Because the evolution of a conscience is too metaphysical to prove scientifically. Even with arguments
like “for the good of the hurd”. * Do not argue that religion makes us more virtuous. Rather, when we compare ourselves to Yeshua
we see how far we are from God-unholy and self centered. We are not saved because we are better then followers of other religions or
atheists. We connect to God through the Peace Child, and his sacrifice on the cross. Moral relativism – Judges 21:25, Romans 3:23. *
Much different. The Beatitudes show him teaching *Naturalist, Mammal, morality: Alligator eats a little boy. Is the animal evil.
People say there is no god…no ultimate sense of morality, but if their was a god he wouldn’t let an animal follow is feeding instincts.
Some say the abstract existence of morality and numbers further prove the existence of God. - Deity - Primitive people = simpler
more fulfilling and morally superior
▲ “Why does evil exist?” If there is no moral law or ethical absolutes who can say there is transgression. We could be a cat
torturing a baby rabbit; who’s screams are heard long into the night…None of us would say the cat is evil…it has no soul.
▲ A: “There is no such thing as primordial human innocence
The further and more skeptical we are the more we seem god-like and righteous. The more we believe and are in God’s presence the
more we see our own sinfulness –angels at the thone of God. Vs. atheist comment about being good.
(each juggler will make a comment. A response will be in a footnote in Eklez’s sketchbook. Use lots of non-christian quotes)
▲ God could have made himself more visable. Thus he does not exist. Answer: How visible would he need to become? Would that
inspire a meaningful relationship with a God who often uses a still small voice? ▲Another objection is the problem of evil…evil is
from free choice, and Satan given power of the earth, and the curse.
▲ “Religious people accept psychological coercion and can’t intellectually handle the natural world.”
▲Moral argument: Objective moral values exist – thus god exists.
▲They are not simply relative. Objective morality = ethical opinon
▲Burtred Russel (Agnostic) says it’s a moral code that helps the community. *
▲Naturalsim= advanced primates…animals are not moral adgents. * Richard Taylor (Ethics-not Chjristian) says animals kill = they
don’t murder ( example : Cat tortering a baby bunny)
▲Morality is not based on religion. It is based on the greater cause for the species. So rape could be good if it helps to procreate the
species and yet these same people would say that sex should not be subjected to being moral based on its value to being reproductive.
It should be based on pleasure..pleasure from who? The man or woman? It can’t simply be moral because a strong male procreates
from an unwhiling female because the species needs to reproduce.
▲There is natural theology, a general revelation that all people know.
▲There is Special revelation as reveled by the claims of religions.
▲Cosmological argument
▲Teleological argument
▲Moral argument . The Bible does not say agnostics have fallen short of the glory of God…it says all have fallen short.
▲There is an absolute moral truth. It is not a what, it is a who… a spirit. Some times humans connect with Him directly. Sometimes
they practice His influence because the observe that its results are logically positive.
▲ “Intelligent and rational people have practiced headhunting, cannibalism, slavery and Nazism. Logical patterns or our own belief
system. “ycanthropy.
▲ Eccles (Ghost) leans over to Eklez and says, “Study the scriptures. You’ll find it takes reasonable faith”
First he created the heavens and the earth. Then he returned to earth in human form to provide immortality ▲
▲ Eklez thinks, “Oh my god, its him! Yeshua is the essence of Epistemology”
Compass looking Celtic cross
Even as believers worship in the forest, or find elucidation to perplexing scriptural pasEklezs, much will remain hidden from
them until they enter immortality.”
“Virtue germinates when philosophies that philosophies that search out morality are accepted.
"professors" (followers of the standard religion), particular their drinking of alcohol.
Just- war theory America’s 1st three colleges – Harvard, William and Mary, Yale were founded to educate clergy.
Yeshua – Self Claims
(Behind them is a painting of Mars Hill: Painting of Apologetics (Greek: Apologia) Paul in Athens court.)
 New Testament theology. Philosophical theology.
Someone calls in about Leviticus 21:16-24
guess I don’t have a problem with a mysterious God, bigger then my understanding and beyond theological description. I
don’t need to understand all of Yahweh’s actions in the Torah or the Leviticus, to believe He is actually the true God”
While the thief or rapist may at sometime feel some fuzziness as to what is morally right. The victim intrinsically knows the violation
in their heart.
Spanish inquisition, crusaders, Salem witch trial =morally wrong. Perpetrators usually know. Victim always knows. Knowing/Being.
Morality is bigger then our own understanding. We can be deceived that wrong is right. We can be deceived by our own hearts and by
the great deceiver.
▲ Dr. Graph says, “Hum…When it’s a Bull Market, don’t need you God - - In a Bear Market, God where did you go?”
▲ Rev. Pickled Punk says, “That’s our tendency. Prayer is the real window to our soul. Hedonism so easily creeps into our
faith. God if I just had more money, more things, more comfort, less illness….I would mature spiritually.
▲ Rev. Pickled Punk says, “The science of Heaven is the magic and miracles of earth.
 . missionaries once headed from the west to learn new languages and minister to other cultures. Now other cultures come to the
west.
Pascal’s Wager
If:
And
There is a God
There is no God.
You believe in God.
You will go to heaven
Nothing lost.
You don’t believe in God
You go to hell.
Nothing gained.
Tolerant
Pascal's Wager
If:
And:
You believe in God.
You don't believe in God.
There is a God.
You go to heaven.
You go to hell.
There is no God.
Nothing lost.
Nothing gained.
“Metaphysics=ultimate reality (John 14:6) truth God leads you into truth (John 14:12.
God’s Secret will . neo-catastrophism . materialism. Moral argument . incarnation.
omnipotence.
ontological argument
Pantheism .
teleological argument .
Thaumatology
Ontological argument A form of argument for the existence of God especially associated with the scholastic theologian Anselm of
Canterbury. An attempt to prove God’s existence first postulated by Anselm. In brief, it states that God is a being of which no greater
thing exists or can be thought of. Therefore, since we can conceive of God as the greatest of all things that exist, then God must exist.
KANT’S CRITIQUE OF PURE REASON -1782
-undercut traditional theology that dealt with proofs for the existence of god.
-made distinction between pure and practical reason
-kant made room for faith
HEGEL “a man rejects god neither because of intellectual demands nor because of the scarcity of evidence. A man rejects god
because of a moral resistance that refuses to admit his need for god. –ravi zacharias
Philosophical apologetics
Philosophical apologetics concerns itself primarily with arguments for the existence of God, although they do not exclusively dwell on
this area. As such, they do not argue for the veracity of Christianity over other religions but merely for the existence of a 'god'.
These arguments can be grouped into several categories:
1. Cosmological argument - Argues that the existence of the universe demonstrates that God exists. Various primary arguments from
science are often offered to support the cosmological argument.[18][19][20]
2. Teleological argument (argument from design) - Argues that there is a purposeful design in the world around us, and a design
requires a designer. Cicero, William Paley, and Michael Behe employed this argument as well as others.[21]
3. Ontological argument - Argues that the very concept of God demands that there is an actual existent God.
4. Moral Argument - Argues that if there are any real morals, then there must be an absolute from which they are derived. [22]
5. Transcendental Argument - Argues that all our abilities to think and reason require the existence of God.
6. Presuppositional Arguments - Arguments that show basic beliefs of theists and nontheists require God as a necessary
precondition.
Other philosophical arguments include:
 Alvin Plantinga's argument that belief in God is properly basic.[23]
 Pascal's wager[24]
General and classics
 Butler, Joseph 1736. The Analogy of Religion.
 Campbell, George 1762. A Dissertation on Miracles.
 Paley, William 1794. A View of the Evidences of Christianity.
 Chesterton, G. K. 1908. Orthodoxy.
 Lewis, C. S. 1955. Mere Christianity. Fontana, Glasgow.
 Meynell, Hugo Anthony Is Christianity true?,Washington, D.C. : Catholic University of America Press, 1994
 McGrath, Alister. 1992. Bridge-Building: Effective Christian Apologetics. InterVarsity Press, Leicester, UK.
 Schaeffer, Francis A. 1982. The Complete Works of Francis Schaeffer. 5 Volumes. Crossway Books, Westchester, Illinois.
Overview and reference
Historical and legal evidential Christian apologetics
Introductory evidential
Other evidential
Prophetic
Philosophical
Biblical
Scientific
Creationist
Responses to postmodernism
APOLOGETICS: INTELLECTUAL
Isaiah 8:9 - - My thoughts are not your thoughts. * Romans 11:33,34 - - For who has known the mind of the lord or has been a
counselor ***To acknowledge is to know something. *** Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Isaiah 5:21 “Whoa to those who are wise
in their own eyes, and shrewd in… James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom let him ask God…”
Reasonable
by Don M. Swartzentruber
Introduction
What is your spiritual world view and how do your explain your conclusions?
Apologetics is a term from the Greek word apologia (απολογία). It means to speak in defense. Biblical patriarchs set an example; the prophet Isaiah
("Come now, let us reason together” -Isaiah 1:18), the apostle Paul ("I make my defense” Acts 26:2), and Peter who dialogued with seekers in homes
and public places.
Some say spiritual truth is only a construct that is valid to that particular individual’s reality. They believe that one’s religion and world view can not be
discussed as being either true or false.
If such is the case, then that person can not be reasoned with; they hold an unreasonable world view. In reality, all theist and atheist practice some
sort of sorting of true and false ideas. Everyone holds “truth” claims that one could argue as false, improbable, uncertain, probable or true. If this where
not the case then all religious ideas would hold equal validity. Pastafarian is a religion that believes that a flying spaghetti monster created the world and
global warming is the result of the decline of the number of pirates. To say that it hold equal truth to Buddhism or Rastafarianism does not acknowledge
the sincere practitioners and the truths that can be found within that faith.
Must one subscribe to one single established religion or world view?
Yes and no. The growing trend in spiritual formation in post-modernity is for seekers to walk through the world religions like a buffet line. They adopt
traditions they like and disregard ordinances they find problematic. They believe they are finding a god they can believe in, but in reality they have made
themselves the god.
Most strands of thought and spiritual practice have some truth to them. And as all truth comes for God, any world view that holds truth holds some of
who God is. As a Muslim and an Agnostic dialogue they will eventually find commonalities without rejecting their orthodoxy. Most religions make some
very positive suggestions in terms of living a moral life. But, one must examine closely what truth claims the religion in question holds especially in
regard to who God is.
What about simpletons. Can they have a relationship with God?
Extraordinary intellects and people with impeded minds can be found to hold any number of world views. Our relationship with God develops in three
spheres.
(1) Knowledge/Intellect
(2) Obedience/Works
(3) Faith/Trust.
A believer will quickly become jaded if they are missing any of these three ingredients. In the Christian faith the scripture acknowledges the limitations of
the human minds. It suggests that seeking as a child is the way to begin a relationship with God. This will not completely satisfy the area of intellect, so
eventually one will need to do some level of study.
How does obedience and works effect our beliefs?
Everyone can be categorized as being in a state of rebellion, discipleship, or coasting between the two.
(1) Rebelling. Following are some examples of why a person would rebel against something they believe is true.
 A spiritual, physical, psychological, or fiscal need or desire is not being meet through their belief.
 They have seemingly uncontrollable transgressive behavior patterns. Sometimes the spiritual creed actually forbids something the believer is
engaged in and the believer is unwilling to forfeit that practice.
 They became disillusioned by someone hold a similar world view.
(2) Discipleship. In this case the person takes their world view beyond the mind and into personal actions. This often reaffirms the dogma as true, or
creates doubts.
Christian Apologetics
General Apologetics:
Christian apologists in the 20th century
The Roman Catholic G. K. Chesterton, 1908. Orthodoxy.
the Anglican C. S. Lewis 1955. Mere Christianity. Fontana, Glasgow. (who popularised the argument which he called aut Deus aut homo malus ("either
God or a bad man"), or 'Christian trilemma'),
the evangelical Norman Geisler,
the Lutheran John Warwick Montgomery,
and the Presbyterian Francis Schaeffer
Augustine,
Aquinas (five arguments for God's existence in the Summa Theologica).
Blaise Pascal
Easy Read:
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McDowell, Josh, New Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Thomas Nelson, Inc, Publishers, 1999
McGrath, Alister.
1992. Bridge-Building: Effective Christian Apologetics. InterVarsity Press, Leicester, UK.
Geisler, Norman L. 1999. Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Baker Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Habermas, Gary, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (College Press: Joplin, MI 1996).
Habermas, Gary and Michael Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Kregel, 1994)
Kitchen, Kenneth, On the Reliability of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids and Cambridge: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. ISBN 0-8028-4960-1, 2003
General apologetics
 Bethinking.org — Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship apologetics website
 Five Views of Apologetics Review of Apologetic traditions by Douglas Groothuis, Denver Seminary
 Christian Apologetic Journal
General/classics Books
The first Protestant textbook of apologetics was written by the Dutch legal scholar Hugo Grotius, On The Truth of the Christian Religion. This work,
which remained in print until the late 19th century, defended the historicity of the Gospels and also addressed arguments to Jews and Muslims.
Biblical Apologetics: Since the 1800s their have been many reputable scholars that have argued that the Bible holds the authority it claims. Issues
such as inerrancy, authorship of specific books and the selection of the cannon are part of this specialized discourse. Countless books explore
“difficult” areas of the Bible that have been deemed problematic.
Defense of miracles
It’s difficult to believe that one would need to defend miracles when the attributing the act to God. This skeptical view is exactly what a typical Deist
believes. The first Vatican Council affirmed that God’s existence ban be rationally demonstrated.
Doctrinal Apologetics: Theology. In doctrinal apologetics, various Christian teachings are defended, such as the trinity. Also, nonChristian religions are argued against. Christian apologists have developed arguments against Judaism, Islam, and Deism, for
example. Changing modes in apologetics, whether or not they are currently fashionable, are important markers in the history of
ideas.
Historical & Legal Evidentialist Apologetics: x
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.
Why I Believe The New Testament Is Historically Reliable by Gary Habermas
Biblical eSources Web-based resources for Biblical Studies, collected by Ted Hildebrandt, Gordon College
Moral Apologetics:
When modern skeptics point to immoral behavior of Christians, they often don’t consider that the transgressor is functions apart from their
orthodoxy. Imagine the peaceful world people would enjoy if everyone practiced the Beatitudes. In moral apologetics man’s depravity and need for
a spiritual and moral transformation if emphasized. Even during the second-century, the Roman’s viewed Christians as a dangerous group.
Ouadratus of Athens, Justin Martyr, Epistle to Diognetus, and Aristides wrote treatises of the moral benefit of Christian theology to society.
Philosophical Arguments:
Arguing the existence of God using the laws of logic and the tools of philosophy. This is broken down into several categories:
1. Cosmological argument - Universe demonstrates that God exists.
2. Teleological argument (argument from design) - Argues that there is an intricate design in the world around us, and a design requires a designer.
Cicero, William Paley, and Michael Behe
3. Ontological argument - The very concept of God demands that there is an actual existent God. In Medieval Europe Saint Anselm of Canterbury
composed the Monologion and Proslogion, in which he developed the ontological argument for God's existence. He believed that faith was
necessary as a precursor to philosophical argument and expressed his position as "I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe
that I may understand: for this I also believe, that unless I believe I will not understand." The basics of his ontological argument are stated in the
following quote: "But clearly that than which a greater cannot be thought cannot exist in the understanding alone. For if it is actually in the
understanding alone, it can be thought of as existing also in reality, and this is greater ... Without doubt, therefore, there exists, both in the
understanding and in reality, something than which a greater cannot be thought." "That than which a greater cannot be thought" refers to God.
4. Moral Argument - Argues that if there are any real morals, then there must be an absolute from which they are derived.
5. Transcendental Argument – Our abilities to reason and think require the existence of God.
6. Presuppositional Arguments - Basic beliefs of theists and nontheists require God as a necessary precondition.
7. Pascal's wager[24]
8. Alvin Plantinga's argument that belief in God is properly basic.[23]
Meynell, Hugo Anthony Redirecting philosophy: Reflections of the Nature of Knowledge from Plato to Lonergan,Toronto; Buffalo: University of
Toronto Press, 1998 and Postmodernism and the New Enlightenment,Washington, D.C. : Catholic University of America Press, 1999
Presuppositional apologetics: (Transcendetal Argument). God is not proven via facts. His existence will not be empirically or philosophically proven.
Fideism is the believe that faith is the “will to believe”
Prophetic Apologetics:
Blaise Pascal believed that prophecy was the strongest apologetic argument. This type of apologetic is primarily done by making various
connecting between the Old and New Testament. Scholars identify sixty Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. Eusebius of Caesarea (263 –
339AD) argued for the resurrection and discusses the fulfillment of prophecy in his Demonstration of the Gospel
Scientific Apologetics / Creationist apologetics:
Old Earth Creationist do not believe in a literal six-day account and typically subscribe to the universe being billions of years old. Young Earth
Creationist believe that the earth was miraculously created in six-days in an aged state
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Collins, Francis 2006. The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, Free Press
Miller, Kenneth R., Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution, Cliff Street Books, 1999.
Polkinghorne, John. Quarks, Chaos and Christianity: Questions to Science and Religion, New York: Crossroad Publishing Company, 1996.
Ross, Hugh. The Creator and the Cosmos: How the Latest Scientific Discoveries of the Century Reveal God. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1993, 2nd ed., 1995, 3rd ed.
2001
 Sproul, R. C. Not a Chance: The Myth of Chance in Modern Science and Cosmology, Baker Book House: 1994
 John Lennox God's Undertaker: Has Science Buried God?.
 Johnson, Phillip E., Darwin on Trial. InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois. 1991
 List of Christian apologetic works
Nicholas Thomas "Tom" (N.T.) Wright (born 1 December 1948) is the Bishop of Durham in the Anglican Church and a leading author and New
Testament scholar.