Apologetics : Apologetics research resources

The logical presentation and defense of the Christian faith

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This entry provides a brief look at Apologetics. For indepth information we refer you to our collection of research resources. • About this page • Color Key • Blue border = Quoted material

Definition: Christian Apologetics

Apologetics - from the Greek "apologia," a legal term meaning "defense" - is the branch of Christian theology concerned with the intelligent presentation and defense of the historical Christian faith.

This defense is aimed at challenges from both outside and inside the Church.

Christianity is under attack today, and it must be defended.

There are attacks from within--from cults, sects, and heresies. And there are attacks from without--atheists, skeptics, and other religions. The discipline that deals with a rational defense of the Christian Faith is called apologetics. It comes from the Greek word apologia (cf. 1 Peter 3:15) which means to give a reason or defense.

Source: The Need For Defending The Faith

by Norman Geisler.

By studying the objections of unbelievers and preparing to reason with them, we take the high road of apologetics, the road of obedience to the direction of our Lord and Savior. His categorical claim was "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). The apologist responds to the objections of unbelievers in a way which sets forth the objective truth of Christianity and the exclusive character of the system. He or she offers reasons for belief, vindicating the Christian worldview over against competing systems of thought and living.

Source: Anwering Objections

by Greg Bahsen.

Five Views on Apologetics

The book, Five Views on Apologetics, edited by Steven B. Cowan, lets the reader compare and contrast different ways of "doing" apologetics:

The goal of apologetics is to persuasively answer honest objections that keep people from faith in Jesus Christ. But of several apologetics approaches, which is most effective?

Five Views on Apologetics examines the "how to" of apologetics, putting five prominent views under the microscope. Classical, Evidential, Presuppositional, Reformed Epistemology, and Cumulative Case. Offering a forum for presentation, critique and defense, this book allows the contributors for the different viewpoints to interact.

Source: Source: Back Cover, Five Views on Apologetics

For an excerpt of the book's introductory chapter, outlining five prominent apologetics methodologies, see this article.

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• Subject: Apologetics
• First posted: Sep. 5, 1996
• Last Updated: Jul. 24, 2005
• Editors: Anton and Janet Hein-Hudson
• Copyright: Apologetics Index
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Apologetics Index (apologeticsindex.org, countercult.com, cultfaq.org) provides 25,000+ pages of research resources on religious cults, sects, new religious movements, alternative religions, apologetics-, anticult-, and countercult organizations, doctrines, religious practices and world views. These resources reflect a variety of theological and/or sociological perspectives.

The site provides information that helps equip Christians to logically present and defend the Christian faith, and that aids non-Christians in their comparison of various religious claims. Issues addressed range from spiritual and cultic abuse to contemporary theological and/or sociological concerns.

Apologetics Index also includes a Cult FAQ, ex-cult support resources, up-to-date religion news (ReligionNewsBlog.com), cult news, articles on Christian life and ministry, and a variety of other features.