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<p>(The purpose of this page is to present a brief overview of the importance
of the study of Christian apologetics--"a defense of the faith.")
<p><b><font size=+1>Apologetics is a field of Christian study that relates
to the setting forth of reasons or evidence for what we believe. It has
sometimes been described as "<i>a defense of the faith</i>."</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>There are some Christian believers who feel that no
defense of the faith is necessary. Their reasoning goes something like
this: "The Bible needs no defense. It speaks for itself. God supernaturally
uses His Word to bring conviction to hearts of men. To attempt to 'defend'
it is totally unnecessary and a waste of time.</font>"</b>
<p><b><font size=+1>I can certainly identify with those sentiments to a
large degree. God certainly does use His Word in a supernatural fashion
in the hearts of men. But what about the honest seeker who wants to know
if there is any more reason to try the Bible than the Koran or a form of
Buddhism or some other of the many religions of the world?</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>We can say, "Try the Bible. It has changed many lives,
and will change yours as well." But other religions can make the same statement.
No Christian would argue against the fact that when an unbeliever comes
openly to the Word of God it is the Holy Spirit of God that brings him
to conviction and faith. But <i>apologetics</i> is a tool that God uses
to bring an unbeliever to the point where he is willing to investigate
the Bible for himself.</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>The Bible itself gives us several examples of the use
of apologetics.</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>After Jesus had arisen from the dead, He had appeared
to the disciples--except for Thomas. And Thomas doubted. Do you remember
how Jesus responded to him? He presented him with the evidence! He invited
him to touch the wounds in his body. That powerful evidence brought Thomas
to faith, and he cried out, "My Lord and My God!" (John 20:24-29)</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>Luke writes of the "many infallible proofs" (i.e.,
evidence!) that Jesus presented to men after His resurrection. (Acts 1:3)</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>Paul is referring to the <i>evidence</i> when he appeals
to Agrippa in Acts 26 by reminding him that "this thing was not done in
a corner!" (Acts 26:26)</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>When Paul reminded the Corinthians that Jesus was seen
by more than 500 believers at once and reminds them that most of them were
still alive (1 Corinthians 15:3-7), he is reminding them that there is
powerful
<i>evidence</i>--in the form of many eyewitnesses--to know that
their faith is founded on <i>fact</i>.</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>One of Paul's guiding principles for his ministry was
to "<i>become all things to all men</i>," that he might "<i>by all means
win some</i>" (1 Corinthians 9:22). A powerful part of that ministry was
his presentation of the evidence for the faith in which he stood.</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>In his first epistle, John stresses the evidence for
his faith. He is most emphatic in stating that he is not writing of something
"mystical" or "philosophical." He is writing of the Risen Lord. And he
repetitively states, in essence, "We <i>saw</i> Him! We <i>touched</i>
Him with our hands! We <i>heard</i> Him with our ears! We are not talking
about metaphysics here! We are talking about a real historical event that
happened in real time! We are talking about powerful eyewitness evidence!"
(1 John 1:1-3)</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>As Christians, we are told to "<i>be always ready to
give an answer</i>" to anyone who asks of us "<i>a reason for the hope</i>"
that is in us. (1 Peter 3:15)</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>Christians who, when asked to give a "reason for their
hope," give only an answer based on their personal subjective experience
with Christ are yielding up a powerful weapon that God intends for us to
use. The wise use of the powerful tool of <i>apologetics</i> has been an
instrument God has used to bring many to Himself.</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>You might ask, "But no matter what the evidence is
that we present, isn't it possible for unbelievers to come up with explanations
for why they do not accept it?" Of course they can. You might be surprised
at how easy it would be to "deny" the existence of almost <i>any</i> historical
person. We can always claim that the evidence we have for their existence
was "cooked up" in a total fabrication.</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>But in real life, we base decisions on the preponderance
of evidence. If a criminal points a gun at your head and demands your money,
you can come up with alternative explanations of what is going on. (e.g.
Someone is only pretending to be a criminal and is playing a trick on you;
The gun is not loaded; You are having a dream; etc.) But it would be foolish
to base your decision on those possibilities. You better go with the evidence!</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>There will always be people who have <i>presuppositions</i>
that require that they explain away the evidence at whatever cost to rational
decision making. If your presupposition is that there are simply no possible
circumstances that would lead you to believe that Jesus could have risen
from the dead, then you will come up with a way to "explain away" the evidence.
But the evidence, to one who is open to it, is very powerful. And you presuppositionally
ignore it at your own peril!</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>Therefore, my appeal to you as a Christian is to arm
yourself with some basic knowledge of Christian apologetics. I have included
a bit of it in these pages to help you along. Should you decide to go farther,
there are many excellent books that will add to your store of knowledge.</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>"<i>Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned
with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.</i>" (Colossians
4:6)</font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1>"<i>In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;
if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the
truth;</i>" (2 Timothy 2:25)</font></b>
<p><b>Steve Hall</b>
<br><b>July, 2000</b>
<br><a href="mailto:steve@aboundingjoy.com">steve@aboundingjoy.com</a>
<p><font size=-2>© 2000 Steve Hall. Permission is hereby granted to
quote from these web pages, in part or in full, as long as the following
statement is included: "© 2000 Steve Hall (steve@aboundingjoy.com).
Quoted by Permission."</font>
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