A Christian apologetic method is a verbal defense of the biblical worldview. A proof is giving a reason for why we believe. This paper will address the philosophical question of God’s existence from the moral argument. The presuppositional apologetic method of Reformed thinkers Cornelius Van Til and John Frame will be the framework. Topics covered here could undoubtedly be developed in more depth, but that would be getting ahead, here is the big picture.
Apologetics comes from the Greek word, ‘apologia’ meaning verbal defense. The Greek word is used in the verse, “Always be prepared to give an answer” (1 Peter 3:15) and in the negative, “men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). In Reformed terms, stated by Frame, it can be defined as, “the application of Scripture to unbelief.” An apologist needs a good attitude to start. The Golden Rule, “treat people the same way you want them to treat you,” (Matthew 7:12 NASB), “speak the truth in love,” (Eph.4:15) and use “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15) are a few biblical guides. An excellent example is when Jesus encountered the woman at the well. He did not care about the external factors: he was a man; she was a woman, he was a Jew; she was a Samaritan. She was living in sin; He was sinless. Instead he spoke gently to her, offering her hope of living water and eternal life. Then when she had a question about worship he answered her directly, “God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Jesus showed her value, love, gentleness, kindness and truth. It is the goal of a Christian apologist to do the same.
The definition of presupposition is a belief that takes precedence over other beliefs. In the presuppositi...
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The Holy Bible. New International Version. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.
Frame, John M. Apologetics to the Glory of God: An Introduction. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P & R Publishing, 1994.
Frame, John M. Doctrine of the Knowledge of God: A Theology of Lordship. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R Publishing, 1987.
Dawkins, Richard. The God Delusion. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.
Kreeft, Peter and Tacelli, Ronald K. Handbook of Christian Apologetics. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994; p. 47.
Kant, Immanuel. The Critique of Pure Reason. Web. Public Book Shelf: http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/Outline_of_Great_Books_Volume_I/transcende_bi d.html.Viewed March 2011.
Van Til, Cornelius., Jerusalem and Athens . E. R. Greehan, editor. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R Publishing Co., 1980: pp. 3-21.
Wilson, Dr. Andrew. "The World's Religions and Their Scriptures." World Scripture. 1991. 15 November 2007.
The stories which humans tell about their origins are always cherished and held in high regard. In fact, no culture has existed which has not created or attempted to create some story of origins. Every culture has had some means in which to say this is where we came from. Especially in cultures where religion found itself prevalent, the mythology of origins became not only a status or anthropology but also a theology. In which case, we find that Christianity is not alone in this struggle, though our struggle may be unique in kind. For our case, we find that the foundation of theology, specifically practical theology, finds its basis in our story of creation and origination. “One of the central affirmations of the Christian faith is the claim that human beings are created in the image of God.” Because the creation story, as cited above, claims that humanity was made in the image or likeness of God, and we affirm that the Bible is the witness to Christ, who being in human form was also made in the image of God, then it is logical to conclude that the theology of human nature rests on this imago dei and therefore the discussion of Karl Barth’s relational view of imago is critical to dissect in order for a reasonable theology to be constructed.
Stanton, Graham. Gospel Truth?: New Light on Jesus and the Gospels. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International, 1995. Paperback.
The Moral Argument for the Existence of God Kant did NOT put forward a moral argument and anyone who said he does is wrong!!!! Kant rejected all attempts to argue from the world to God, he regarded such an exercise as impossible. However he thought that God was a POSTULATE of practical reason. If you share Kant’s assumptions, then it becomes necessary to assume that there is a God.
It is crucial that every belief must be thoroughly explored and justified to avoid any future repercussions. Clifford provides two examples in which, regardless of the outcome, the party that creates a belief without comprehensive justification ends up at fault. It is possible to apply the situations in The Ethics of Belief to any cases of belief and end up with the conclusion that justification is of utmost importance. Justifying beliefs is so important because even the smallest beliefs affect others in the community, add to the global belief system, and alter the believer moral compass in future decisions.
what is normal and usual; that it is not usual to be able to describe
Richardson, Alan, (1958), an Introduction to the Theology of the New Testament. SCM press Ltd, London.
The thesis of this paper is that, setting aside the question of moral offense that has disturbed commentators from Thomas Paine (The Age of Reason) to William Empson (Milton's God), agape to neighbor makes sense only under monotheistic or specifically Christian assumptions, and therefore, the old saw, "Christianity may not be factually true, but it has a sublime ethical teaching", is problematical.
This paper will try to discuss the three Philosophical Positions on the Existence of God namely, the Theism, Agnosticism, and Atheism. Why do they believe? Why don’t they believe? How do they believe? What made them believe? Who helped them believe? These are just some of the questions that this paper will try to give answers and supply both believers and non-believers the enough indication that whatever their position may be, the responsibility in their hands of whatever reason they have must be valid and intellectual.
Hugo Meynell's book is a clear example of the growing interest in apologetics. Meynell considers four common objections to Christian doctrine, the belief in God is morally irrelevant; that there is no reason to believe in the special claims of Christianity over those of non-Christian religions. Meynell, also says no sense can be made of the doctrines of Incarnation, Atonement, and the Trinity and that Christian doctrine about life after death is based upon an indefensible view of the nature of human persons-and shows to his own views that these remarks can be met. It should be noted that Meynell on the prior assumption that God exists. This is not because Meynell takes that assumption to be indefensible or incapable of demonstration; it is rather that the existence of God is not his topic in this book.
The problem of evil is a difficult objection to contend with for theists. Indeed, major crises of faith can occur after observing or experiencing the wide variety and depths of suffering in the world. It also stands that these “evils” of suffering call into question the existence of an omnibenevolent and omnipotent God of the Judeo-Christian tradition. The “greater good defense” tries to account for some of the issues presented, but still has flaws of its own.
Jesus, a name known by billions throughout the world. To each, this name means something different; savior, friend, philosopher, prophet, teacher, fraud, fake, liar. Some even believe that He is just an imaginary character from the minds of those who wrote about Him. The Westminster Dictionary of Theology describes apologetics as, "Defense, by argument, of Christian belief against external criticism or against other worldly views" (Apologetics 31-32). Though there are still many mysteries that surround the ongoing debate about Christianity, evidence can now prove some of what Christians took by faith before. Now, more than ever, there is information to prove the existence of this man that walked the earth more than two thousand years ago. Little remains of His life and works except for that which is contained within the pages of the Holy Bible. Throughout the past century alone, there have been numerous discoveries, both scientific and archeological; to further prove the existence of a man called Jesus and reinforce the Bible as a legitimate historical document. The validity of Christianity and Jesus Christ himself has been the center of religious controversy for centuries. Though His identity has not and probably never will be proven, He did exist. This paper will use apologetics to prove this so. Sufficient evidence proves the existence of Jesus and forms a firm basis for Christianity.
Hindson, E., & Caner, E. (2008). The Populer Encyclopedia of Apologetics. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers.
W. Andrew Hoffecker. Building a Christian World View, vol. 1: God, man, and Knowledge. Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., Phillipsburg, New Jersey : 1986.
The role of faith has been debated among many theologians, scientists, and philosophers. It has been greatly discussed and depicted throughout history as whether faith is logical when it comes to religion or whether faith is completely absurd. In this essay, I will focus on the role of faith through the lenses of Christian philosophers Sorean Kierkegaard and Paul Tillich. Faith plays an important role in Kierkegaard and Tillich theology; I will critically examine their depiction of faith and compare and contrast their passages. Kiergarrd view of faith is that it is completely absurd where as Ti