What in the world is that? This is often the reply I get when I mention Christian apologetics. Is it about apologizing for Christianity…perhaps saying we’re sorry for the Crusades or the Inquisition? Well…not exactly. 
 

The meaning of the word “apology” has morphed over the centuries. It comes from the Greek word apologia, which originally meant “a speech made in defense.” We find it used several times in the New Testament where the writer speaks of either defending oneself against the accusations of others or defending the gospel by offering reasons to believe (Acts 26:2; Phil. 1:7, 16; 2 Tim. 4:16; 1 Peter 3:15). The word presupposes that people believe things for reasons, and are therefore obligated to offer those reasons when challenged.

Christian apologetics in our contemporary context becomes an exercise in formulating and communicating the rational basis for the Christian worldview, thus commending it to the spiritual seeker for his or her consideration as a viable option in the marketplace of ideas. For the Christian, apologetics serves the purpose of deepening his or her conviction that what is accepted by faith is firmly rooted in reason. In this latter sense, the New Testament employs the Greek word bebaioo, which means “to make firm, establish, make secure” (Rom. 15:8; 1 Cor. 1:6; Heb. 2:3, 13:9). It is from this conviction that the Christian may confidently deliver his or her testimony.

Christian apologetics is unique in that it begins with reasoned dialogue (Greek: dialegomenos) not dogma (Acts 17:2, 18:4, 19:8) intended to persuade (Greek: peitho) not preach (Acts 18:4; 19:8). People believe things for reasons, but they need to be good reasons. Persuasion is the means by which connections are made between reasons and belief. A good reason resonates with what is true, that is, it is a “truth indicator.” Loving Christian apologists package good reasons to believe Christianity in culturally sensitive ways, in ways which the culture can grasp.

Therefore, Christians do not offer their faith to others simply because it works or because it is useful. We commend the faith to seekers because we are convinced that it is true, and, therefore, superior in that sense to any other worldview, sacred or secular. The New Testament claims that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and, if this is true, then all that Jesus said and did must be true as well. The Old Testament claims that God created the world out of nothing, and, if this is true, then all that we possess is a gift of God’s grace. 

The Bible further claims that human beings were specially created by God to live in relationship with him and with each other and to steward the resources of the earth for our mutual benefit and God’s glory. The Christian believes that all of this is true, and that theology, philosophy, history, and science all converge in demonstration of this truth. Faith and reason, science and the Bible, rational thought and theology are not foes, but friends. They are not pugilists, but partners in proclaiming the glory of God. It is the task of Christian apologetics to make this case, and it is to that end that this blogsite has been created. 

We welcome believer and seeker alike to participate in a spirit of grace and discovery. In pursuit of truth, let's follow the evidence wherever it leads. Jesus himself proclaimed that knowing the truth is the path to freedom (John 8:32). Have your say, and enjoy your stay, but please comment with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

Blessings,
                                                    
Arnie Gentile

                         

 

"Scandalous!”…. Such was the judgement of Judas as Mary wantonly poured a jar of priceless perfume over Jesus. In today’s currency, the value of this rare and aromatic ointment likely would exceed $40,000. Didn’t Mary get that the central purpose of Christianity is all about eliminating hunger, sheltering the homeless, and rescuing AIDS babies in Africa? Hadn’t she learned anything in three years of following the Master?<< MORE >>

In his popular book The Blind Watchmaker, evolutionary biologist and militant atheist Richard Dawkins claims that Charles Darwin’s theory has given atheists the opportunity to be intellectually satisfied. One wonders, however, how this can be true. The Scriptures tell us that only a fool insists that there is no God (Psalm 14:1). Somewhere here there is a disconnect.<< MORE >>

For millenia upon millenia, we had been churning out the same forms of stone utensils, for example. But about 40,000 years ago, a perceptible shift in our handiwork took place. Throughout the Old World, tool kits leapt in sophistication with the appearance of Upper Paleolithic style implements. Signs of use of ropes, bone spear points, fishhooks and harpoons emerge, along with sudden manifestations of sculpture, paintings, and musical instruments. << MORE >>

Biblical “humility” is not exhibited by capitulation to the ascendant scientific ideology of the moment and the prevailing strong scientism that it spawns, which claims, unscientifically, that science is the only source of substantial knowledge. In truth, science blindly and dogmatically clings to Darwinism against the evidence with the same religious tenacity as the Church clung to the epicycles of Ptolemy in the day of Copernicus. << MORE >>

Christians often ponder this question because it is popular to proclaim that God is more interested in our holiness than in our happiness. However, is it really possible to separate these two notions?<< MORE >>

The issue of remarriage after divorce seems to continually perplex Christians. I was divorced myself a couple of years before becoming a Christian. I recall attending adult singles groups and observing other divorced Christian brothers and sisters agonizing over the question of whether or not they could "legally" remarry. In my young Christian naïve manner I kept asking, “What about grace?” And herein, I have discovered, lay the answer to the anguish.<< MORE >>

Christianity has never been afraid of a good intellectual fight, and its history is replete with brilliant thinkers who have commended the faith boldly, reasonably, and successfully to their generations. The challenge of Christianity to the world is rooted in the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians15:17: "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." Paul throws down the gauntlet and asserts that the truth of Christianity hangs by the thread of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If it happened, then Christianity is true. If it didn't, then Christianity is a hoax. << MORE >>

We have built a strong case for the historical accuracy of the claim that Jesus rose from the dead. If the resurrection actually happened, as the evidence strongly suggests, then the probability increases exponentially that the message that Jesus proclaimed was true. But did Jesus really claim to be divine? We explore this question in this article.<< MORE >>

What was the nature of Jesus' resurrection appearances? Most attempts to explain these appearances in purely naturalistic terms have long been discredited by critical scholars. Nonetheless, we will consider two theories: the hallucination theory, which has made a comeback, and the objective vision theory, which is fairly recent in origin. << MORE >>