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Apologetic Background Assignment
Melodie Penland
APOL 220: Introduction to Apologetics
January 22, 2024
I have not studied apologetics yet, but it would be beneficial for the following reasons: Help believers be more confident in their beliefs, help defend their beliefs, and strengthen their critical
thinking skills. “It literally means we are to be ready to give a speech of defense— well-thought-
out out account of why our faith in Christ makes sense. Now, we’ll never feel fully prepared, but even so, God wants to use us in the midst of our own growth process to help answer questions about our faith and reach others for him.
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In order to be more confident in their beliefs, believers should study cultural context and language, which helps a person fully understand instead of just repeating stories they have heard for years. Studying apologetics can provide tools to help believers with doubts and questions as they study. “Sound training in apologetics is one of the keys to fearless evangelism. In this and many other ways, apologetics helps to build up the body of Christ by strengthening individual believers.
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” Understanding the reasons behind your faith instead of just having knowledge or being able to recall stories gives you confidence. “All my life I had been taught the “whats” of Christianity, that is, the content of Christianity. Now I was desperately searching for what Timothy Keller calls the “whys” of Christianity, the answers to the question, “Why should I believe this?
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” When someone feels confident in something, they can explain it logically and make sense to people who believe differently. Studying apologetics will require people to study and think about theological matters and cause them to question ideas while defending their position. Knowing the why and seeing evidence-
1
Strobel, Lee. The Case for Christ : Daily Moment of Truth
. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018.
2
Craig, William Lane. Reasonable Faith : Christian Truth and Apologetics.
3rd ed. Wheaton: Good News Publishers/Crossway Books, 2009.
3
Chatraw, Josh, and Mark D Allen. 2018.
Apologetics at the Cross : An Introduction for Christian Witness
. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.
based facts will help believers respond with a strong defense while remaining polite. "Evidence is not for proving the Word of God, but rather for providing a reasoned basis for faith.
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The study of apologetics helps believers address common objections and allows them to have logical discussions. Studying apologetics requires people to analyze evidence and religious concepts and listen to arguments. By doing these things, believers can evaluate ideas and whether they are valid or not. “He gives us spiritual discernment so that we can understand spiritual truths.
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Apologetics requires people to study historical, scientific, and spiritual matters. People who discuss apologetics will likely engage with others with diverse beliefs and backgrounds. Studying different arguments can help believers grow a complete understanding of their faith and
be able to discuss with others who hold different views. Listening to other people's views could cause you to have more questions and continue to pursue education in spiritual matters.
In conclusion, apologetics is a vital subject for Christians to study so that they can be confident in their beliefs, which will cause them to have a good defense when questioned about their faith and, in turn, will cause them to learn critical thinking skills along the way.
I want to learn how to defend my faith. I have been in church my whole life and a believer for 28
years. Even though my three brothers were raised the same way, none of them attend church, and
they raise issues with the Bible's validity and faith in God. All three of them like to argue, and 4
McDowell, Josh, and Sean McDowell. Evidence That Demands a Verdict : Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World
. Fourth edition. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2017.
5
Chatraw, Josh, and Mark D Allen. 2018.
Apologetics at the Cross : An Introduction for Christian Witness
. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.
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although I do not want to argue, I would like to be more secure in my reasons for faith and following Jesus. I know a lot of Bible stories and some cultural background information, but I do
not think I could have a friendly debate and back it up.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chatraw, Josh, and Mark D Allen. 2018.
Apologetics at the Cross : An Introduction for Christian Witness
. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan. Chatraw, Josh, and Mark D Allen. 2018.
Apologetics at the Cross : An Introduction for Christian Witness
. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.
Craig, William Lane. Reasonable Faith : Christian Truth and Apologetics.
3rd ed. Wheaton: Good News Publishers/Crossway Books, 2009.
McDowell, Josh, and Sean McDowell. Evidence That Demands a Verdict : Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World
. Fourth edition. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2017.
Strobel, Lee. The Case for Christ : Daily Moment of Truth
. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018.