How did you get introduced to Apologetics?

[cyberjosh]

I am curious to hear around the board how different people became interested in Apologetics and/or how they were introduced to it. In a way it is the duty of every Christian to be familiar with Apologetics, not necessarily as a theological system or framework that emphasizes 'being learned' in scriptural studies but rather as the basic ability to give an apologia for the hope that is in you.

As for me, I was introduced to Apologetics for the first time in Sunday school at a church that I went to all throughout middle and high school, and since my desire for learning the Bible seemed to be more advanced, engaged, and interested than other high schoolers my age I was permitted to sit in for a college & career Sunday school class which I benefitted from enourmously. To make a short story of it, the class used a book called Why I Believe by Dr. James Kennedy (which I do recommend reading -whether you are new to it like I was or even when you are well learned in matters of Apologetics) that we went through and it provided a fantastic overview of the application of Apologetics in virtually all areas of biblical inquiry including history, archaeology, prophesy, science, miracles, the person of Christ, etc. After that I was accutely aware of the issues in Apologetics and it drove me to want to continue in knowledge and its application (in love) to defend the reason that I believe and defending the biblical text.

So, how did you get interested in Apologetics?

God Bless,
~Josh

 

[Jake]

Hi Josh

I got into apologetics because of my four older brothers and sisters who all go to different churches and believe different things, it was confusing, and because I respect them all, who do I believe. So when I was about 12 years old (I am 17 now), I started researching different doctrines on various topics, asked alot of questions, prayed, studied the Word and asked even more questions.

My plan is to study ancient history now as this is one area I haven't learned about yet it seems important for a better grasp of the Bible.

peace,
Jake

 

[jasoncran]

i got into a debate with an athiest that liked zen and asked the usual hostile question, what about the dinosaurs?

i have learned when they ask that they really arent interested in our faith just using that to undermine what we say.:bigfrown though i do debate evolution so that the brethren can have a solid reason to believe in the literal account.

 

[cyberjosh]

Hi Josh

I got into apologetics because of my four older brothers and sisters who all go to different churches and believe different things, it was confusing, and because I respect them all, who do I believe. So when I was about 12 years old (I am 17 now), I started researching different doctrines on various topics, asked alot of questions, prayed, studied the Word and asked even more questions.

My plan is to study ancient history now as this is one area I haven't learned about yet it seems important for a better grasp of the Bible.

peace,
Jake

That's awesome Jake. Keep plugging away at it, and your learning can even be a great witness to others while you are still in high school. I became really interested in matters of Bible translation and Biblical & Church history when I was about 15 years old after I saw a traveling museum exhibit on the Dead Sea Scrolls (fragments of the DSS were there) and some of the oldest English Bibles still existing. And I've never stopped studying since then. I even got to make a presentation on Biblical Archaeology my senior year in high school for my literature class, and it was awesome to be allowed to present a defense of the historicity of the Bible in school.

Let me know if I can be of any assistance to you in your historical studies, because I study ancient Biblical history and archaeology (which you can see some of on my website here: www.scholarofgod.com) and I also got my minor in History as well, so it is a topic which interests me greatly.

God Bless,
~Josh

 

[cyberjosh]

i got into a debate with an athiest that liked zen and asked the usual hostile question, what about the dinosaurs?

i have learned when they ask that they really arent interested in our faith just using that to undermine what we say.:bigfrown though i do debate evolution so that the brethren can have a solid reason to believe in the literal account.

Yeah, I used to debate the science aspect of apologetics but then it became too exhausting for me. I find my time better spent with studying theology and historical studies like archaeology and languages. I salute all those brave enough to enter the science debate though.

~Josh

 

[Jake]

That's awesome Jake. Keep plugging away at it, and your learning can even be a great witness to others while you are still in high school. I became really interested in matters of Bible translation and Biblical & Church history when I was about 15 years old after I saw a traveling museum exhibit on the Dead Sea Scrolls (fragments of the DSS were there) and some of the oldest English Bibles still existing. And I've never stopped studying since then. I even got to make a presentation on Biblical Archaeology my senior year in high school for my literature class, and it was awesome to be allowed to present a defense of the historicity of the Bible in school.

Let me know if I can be of any assistance to you in your historical studies, because I study ancient Biblical history and archaeology (which you can see some of on my website here: www.scholarofgod.com) and I also got my minor in History as well, so it is a topic which interests me greatly.

God Bless,
~Josh

Thanks Josh, I am going to look at your website, hopefully this afternoon. I was going to ask you, too, if you would recommend any books, although your website may have recommendations.
I am serious about this study and would like to get at many resources as possible.
peace -
Jake

 

[jasoncran]

Yeah, I used to debate the science aspect of apologetics but then it became too exhausting for me. I find my time better spent with studying theology and historical studies like archaeology and languages. I salute all those brave enough to enter the science debate though.

~Josh

i do it so that if some challenge my position i can intellegently defend myself. much of it what they say isnt so settled. i do understand why athiests do what they do. for God is known to be by all of his creations. otherwise why would some athiests argue agaisnt something that they are 100% sure doesnt exist!
others are ignorant in that they have never heard of the gospel but are open but do deny the God that created them as all men have no excuse.

they are more likely to be agnostic, either never raised in church or exposed too much to christianity the former the first group often has been hurt by christians and or angry at god.

 

[cyberjosh]

Thanks Josh, I am going to look at your website, hopefully this afternoon. I was going to ask you, too, if you would recommend any books, although your website may have recommendations.
I am serious about this study and would like to get at many resources as possible.
peace -
Jake

Cool. Well for the best all around book on apologetics which also includes history (and how it relates to Old Testament prophesy) that book I mentioned in the OP, Why I Believe, is a great book to start with.

Here are some other books you might like depending on the history topic:

1. Famous Christians (Church History): 131 Christians Everyone Should Know.
This book is a fantastic and a fascinating read that you can pick up and put down at any point. It has 131 short 2-4 page biographies of famous Christians that lived over the last 2,000 years. I learn something every time I pick it up, and I still haven't read all the entries yet.

2. Biblical Archaeology/Old Testament History: The Archaeology of the Bible by James Hoffmeier.
This book is great and has dozens of full color pictures, and it is also written by a good Christian scholar and archaeologist who actually does fieldwork himself - so he knows what he is talking about. I had the pleasure of meeting him once and I got him to sign my copy of that book. The book has the added bonus of being quite readable for a book written on the topic that it is. I handed my friend this book on a Friday one week and he came back on the following Monday and said that he had read the entire thing over the weekend.

3. Bible Reference: Wycliffe Bible Dictionary.
This is a book that once you get it you will probably use it the rest of your life, because it provides an extremely comprehensive and competent listing of almost every Biblical topic imaginable. It has entries for every name and city in the Bible (even the obscure ones), it includes entries for various Theological topics, and it overall makes an awesome Bible Study companion for just about any topic.

I hope that helps, but I definitely also recommend Why I Believe by James Kennedy as a good book to introduce a lot of general apologetic topics.

God Bless,
~Josh

 

[Former Christian]

Cyberjosh

I used to be interested in Apologetics. Until I realized that I was arguing against Christians 99.9% of the time. Don’t do that any more. I’m ready to give an answer for the hope within, IF THEY ASK, like the verse says (1 Pet 3:15). Except on forums such as this one, where one is usually expected to give a personal accounting of one’s belief through argumentation (keeps the forum open and interesting, you know). The more militant Christians don’t care if anyone asks or not. They just push. Usually against their own, though some don’t consider anyone who disagrees with them their own. I hate to think what God thinks of the goings on down here. What with the new breed of militant Calvinists and the militant Creationists and all. Paul said he just preached Christ crucified. Things have changed a lot since those days.

But I’m not in any way trying to put down your desire to help those like Rockie. I do believe that everyone should experience Christian apologetics, considering the denominational nature of Christianity. And know Christian history if one is going to converse intelligently with an Orthodox or Catholic Christian to whom history is a primary matter, as seen in their love of their respective Traditions, whose respective histories reach back at least to the 4th century, a thousand years before Protestantism even started.

FC

 

[Former Christian]

Jasoncran

The Chief Atheist of our day, Richard Dawkins, never claims to be 100% sure that God doesn’t exist. He only says that, through what he knows of science, especially Biology, the probability is almost negligible that a Creator God exists. He says there’s more probability that aliens seeded the earth with life after things settled down a bit, than for the existence of a primary creator. Reminiscent of an old Science Fiction story, seems to me.

Dawkins’ books are written with two classes of people in mind. Atheists and militant Creationists. He wants the Atheists to become more militant, and he wants the militant Creationists to shut up and leave everyone else alone. Militant Creationists are like JW’s. Don’t know when to shut up and go on to someone who might care. And, of course, the money he’s making from his books certainly doesn’t hurt his retirement fund any.

Dawkins’ main concern with Christianity is that he feels that this religion, more than any other, is undermining the progress of science. I fail to see his concern, since scientific progress seems to be as stagnant as it has been for a 100 years. And technology, where the money is to be made, is barreling along as per usual, in spite of the so called recession.

For some reason I got the impression you were a Theistic Evolutionist. But by what you said above, “i do debate evolution so that the brethren can have a solid reason to believe in the literal accountâ€, you appear to be a six day creationist, possibly a Young Earth Creationist.

FC

 

[Potluck]

How did you get introduced to Apologetics?

Was saved in Clinton, Utah... Mormon country. I don't think it takes much to figure out what happened from there.

 

[cyberjosh]

Cyberjosh

I used to be interested in Apologetics. Until I realized that I was arguing against Christians 99.9% of the time. Don’t do that any more. I’m ready to give an answer for the hope within, IF THEY ASK, like the verse says (1 Pet 3:15). Except on forums such as this one, where one is usually expected to give a personal accounting of one’s belief through argumentation (keeps the forum open and interesting, you know). The more militant Christians don’t care if anyone asks or not. They just push. Usually against their own, though some don’t consider anyone who disagrees with them their own. I hate to think what God thinks of the goings on down here. What with the new breed of militant Calvinists and the militant Creationists and all. Paul said he just preached Christ crucified. Things have changed a lot since those days.

But I’m not in any way trying to put down your desire to help those like Rockie. I do believe that everyone should experience Christian apologetics, considering the denominational nature of Christianity. And know Christian history if one is going to converse intelligently with an Orthodox or Catholic Christian to whom history is a primary matter, as seen in their love of their respective Traditions, whose respective histories reach back at least to the 4th century, a thousand years before Protestantism even started.

FC

FC,

I certainly feel your pain as regards how apologetics on forums seems to often turn into inter-denominational debates. And you have a valid point that an apologia is intended to be a defense when asked to give a reason for the hope in us. I hope to be an exception to what you have described though, not being someone who "pushes" their arguments on others. I always have been inquisitive and I have an intellectual mind (which sometimes, honestly, is a curse - if you let it go too far) that drives me toward study. After actually talking to non-believers in person (in the "real world" - not hiding exclusively within the 'walls' of an online forum) I have had to engage with sincere questions about the Bible's integrity and whether God exists, etc. To that end I desired to give people asking sincere questions not only a heartfelt answer, due to what Christ has done in me (although that is the primary testimony), but also an educated answer that those who want to deal in facts can chew on. Of course, I give such people as many facts that I can but I ultimately tell them that they must approach God and the Bible in faith, or one will never grasp its full meaning, thus an appeal to the intellect only goes so far.

Only the Word of God is sharper than a double-edged sword that can discern our inwardmost intentions and thoughts. I leave that work to God, but I hope to plant a seed or provide a defense when asked. It is true also, though, that I participate in apologetics discussion on this forum among fellow Christians in order to sharpen and refine my own beliefs to make sure that I am doctrinally correct and rightly dividing the Word of God. I will engage in any sincere discussion with someone about the Bible though, and I do not exclusivise to whom I will discuss it with. I have even spoken with a Hindu monk once before about the Gospel - so not just with atheists, agnostics, or other Christians. And yet that is not to say that the heartfelt approach is not a right one though, and speaking the truth straight from Scripture and the convictions that accompny it. You spoke of how Paul preached Christ and him crucified. I have had the opportunity to explain to someone from Nepal once, who asked me about Jesus if he is the only way to God, why Jesus is the only Son of God who died for the sins of the world, and why there really cannot be any other way to God than through Jesus. That did not require vast amounts of scholarship to explain, only a basic handle on correct theology. I did throw in a mention of how Jesus as a historical person, for those who doubt, can be corroborated through historical sources such as Josephus. But really, if you want to know about Jesus, you have to read the Gospels for their exclusive witness about him.

As I said I feel your pain, and understand your concerns, but hopefully you should not have to feel that way about apologetics when discussing things with me. I am open to any discussion or inquiry insofar as I am actually knowledgeable or able to answer your questions. And when I don't know something I often times will strive to find out and get back to you on something.

Though I take a proactive approach to studying Biblical history I mostly do it as a hobby and it certainly is not the foundation of my faith, for faith goes beyond what one can see or even sometimes "know" in this world. So I do not put my faith into such studies, but rather I find that it supplements faith and can provide rational food-for-thought and also evidence that can engage the mind as well as the spirit and soul.

God Bless,
~Josh

 

[cyberjosh]

Cyberjosh

I used to be interested in Apologetics. Until I realized that I was arguing against Christians 99.9% of the time. Don’t do that any more. I’m ready to give an answer for the hope within, IF THEY ASK, like the verse says (1 Pet 3:15). Except on forums such as this one, where one is usually expected to give a personal accounting of one’s belief through argumentation (keeps the forum open and interesting, you know). The more militant Christians don’t care if anyone asks or not. They just push. Usually against their own, though some don’t consider anyone who disagrees with them their own. I hate to think what God thinks of the goings on down here. What with the new breed of militant Calvinists and the militant Creationists and all. Paul said he just preached Christ crucified. Things have changed a lot since those days.

But I’m not in any way trying to put down your desire to help those like Rockie. I do believe that everyone should experience Christian apologetics, considering the denominational nature of Christianity. And know Christian history if one is going to converse intelligently with an Orthodox or Catholic Christian to whom history is a primary matter, as seen in their love of their respective Traditions, whose respective histories reach back at least to the 4th century, a thousand years before Protestantism even started.

FC

Also I must say, for someone who titles themself a "former Christian", that you seem to have a fairly good grasp of what should be preached (Christ crucified) and represented of the Bible to others, rather than the denominational pettiness that plagues many congregations. I feel somehow that you have felt the brunt of such pettiness and gotten burned in some way in the past because of it. I hate it when that happens in Churches, but I always seek (as for myself) to never fall into that trap of denominational bickering. And luckily I am part of a Church community that in fact cooperates with other Churches of different denominations all throughout our city to be salt and light in our community. If there is a matter at stake that is important doctrinally, I will and must discuss it, but I will not ostracize someone who is a fellow brother or sister in Christ over non-essential doctrines. And even in disagreement over the essential doctrines (which are themselves debated over) I am more likely to pray that a particular person would see the truth if they believe something that is not Biblical, rather than call them a Son of the Devil and have nothing to do with them. KJV-onlyists seem to be a good example of an extremist group that will ostracize you at the drop of a hat. I strive to be better than that and to be an honest and sincere Christian seeking to learn and also teach the truth of the Gospel as I live out my life in submission to Christ.

God Bless,

~Josh

 

[stovebolts]

I got interested because I heard somebody say something that I didn't understand or agree with, so I asked them why they believed that way. Being nieve, I found myself trapped defending some stuff I didn't really know much about, but thought I did and it forced me to study deeper. Call it pride maybe? But at the time it gave me a challenge to dig deep, and be a Berean that I know God want's some of us to be.

I can't honestly say that I enjoy Apologetics in a hostile environment anymore, but I do appreciate a respectful discussion that spurs one another to grow in God's word. I suppose I still enjoy the challenge.

 

[Jake]

Cool. Well for the best all around book on apologetics which also includes history (and how it relates to Old Testament prophesy) that book I mentioned in the OP, Why I Believe, is a great book to start with.

Here are some other books you might like depending on the history topic:

1. Famous Christians (Church History): 131 Christians Everyone Should Know.
This book is a fantastic and a fascinating read that you can pick up and put down at any point. It has 131 short 2-4 page biographies of famous Christians that lived over the last 2,000 years. I learn something every time I pick it up, and I still haven't read all the entries yet.

2. Biblical Archaeology/Old Testament History: The Archaeology of the Bible by James Hoffmeier.
This book is great and has dozens of full color pictures, and it is also written by a good Christian scholar and archaeologist who actually does fieldwork himself - so he knows what he is talking about. I had the pleasure of meeting him once and I got him to sign my copy of that book. The book has the added bonus of being quite readable for a book written on the topic that it is. I handed my friend this book on a Friday one week and he came back on the following Monday and said that he had read the entire thing over the weekend.

3. Bible Reference: Wycliffe Bible Dictionary.
This is a book that once you get it you will probably use it the rest of your life, because it provides an extremely comprehensive and competent listing of almost every Biblical topic imaginable. It has entries for every name and city in the Bible (even the obscure ones), it includes entries for various Theological topics, and it overall makes an awesome Bible Study companion for just about any topic.

I hope that helps, but I definitely also recommend Why I Believe by James Kennedy as a good book to introduce a lot of general apologetic topics.

God Bless,
~Josh

Thanks Josh, your website is impressive and haven't had time to look at it all, I didn't realize there was going to be so much there, but it's great! I'm going to get all of the books you suggested, not sure which one first, am thinking the archeology one, we'll see .
peace
Jake

 

[cyberjosh]

I just noticed, StoveBolts (a.k.a. Steve ), that Rockie must being trying to copy your avatar. Or is it you trying to copy him? You both have the same angle with your cars.

 

[cyberjosh]

Thanks Josh, your website is impressive and haven't had time to look at it all, I didn't realize there was going to be so much there, but it's great! I'm going to get all of the books you suggested, not sure which one first, am thinking the archeology one, we'll see .
peace
Jake

And here I was thinking that I didn't have enough articles on my website...! You are too kind. I hope you find it informative.

God Bless,
~Josh

 

[Jake]

I just noticed, StoveBolts (a.k.a. Steve ), that Rockie must being trying to copy your avatar. Or is it you trying to copy him? You both have the same angle with your cars.

He copied me. After all, I have the cooler car.
(it's not really my car, I just would like to own it one day).

 

[Former Christian]

Cyberjosh

From what you said in #s 12 & 13, you’re a good one to help Rockie. I can only encourage you to continue in integrity.

FC

 

[cyberjosh]

He copied me. After all, I have the cooler car.
(it's not really my car, I just would like to own it one day).

Haha! I think I can hear Stev...er Jeff's engine roaring down the road to challenge you on that claim.