Lecture on Christian Apologetics

Jun 23, 2024

Lecture on Christian Apologetics

Key Scripture: 1 Peter 3

  • Mandate: Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in you.
  • Importance of substantiating the content of faith.

Historical Context

  • Early Church: Proclaim truth and defend claims of Christianity.
  • Examples:
    • Peter: Not cleverly defined myths or fables, but what was seen and heard.
    • Luke: Research and eyewitness accounts for Gospel.

Role of the Holy Spirit

  • Reformed Faith: Conversion requires the Holy Spirit changing the soul.
    • Arguments, reasoning, and testimonies are futile without the Spirit.
    • Paul: We plant seeds and water them, but only God brings the increase.
  • Debate: Whether apologetics interfere with the Holy Spirit’s work.
    • Counterpoint: Awareness of Pagan philosophies is needed to avoid being misled.

Significance of Apologetics

  • Pre-Evangelism: Providing necessary information for belief.
  • Post-Evangelism: Stopping falsehoods and defending the honor of God.

Justification by Faith

  • Doctrine: Justification by faith alone (Luther).
  • James’ Question: What kind of faith saves?
    • Faith without works is dead.
    • Luther: Justification is by living faith (fidas viva).
  • Elements of Faith: Notia, Assensus, Fidia.
    • Notia: Knowledge or content of faith.
      • Essential information about Jesus: birth, death, resurrection.
    • Assensus: Intellectual assent or agreement with propositions.
      • Example: Belief in historical facts does not equate to saving faith.
    • Fidia: Personal trust and reliance on Christ.
      • Only engendered by the work of the Holy Spirit.

Relation Between Apologetics and Faith

  • Clarifying misconceptions and providing correct information.
  • Evidence for truth claims vs. fideism (blind faith).
    • Example: Paul on Mars Hill—resurrection of Jesus as proof.

The Role of Evidence in Faith

  • Christianity is based on public events and eyewitness testimony.
  • Example: Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection witnessed by many.
  • Apologetics demonstrate the reliability and cogency of biblical evidence.

Conclusion

  • Apologetics: An important task that honors Christ by providing compelling evidence for the truth of Christianity.
  • Importance of doing the homework to defend the faith.
  • We trust in a faith grounded in evidence, not superstition or unsubstantiated claims.