Within the discipline of Christian apologetics, there are several sub-disciplines, philosophy being among them. Apologetics can be done in an “offensive” way (where arguments are presented for Christianity’s truth) and in a “defensive” way (where a defense of Christianity is made against anti-Christian arguments and objections). However, another method I am interested in serves … [Read more...]
Fallacy Friday: Ad Populum (Appeals to Popularity)
This week I am going to look at the ad populum fallacy. Ad populum is Latin for “appeal to the people”. This fallacy occurs when a person argues that a particular claim is true because a large number of people accept it. Put crudely it contends that a position is true because it is popular – a majority of people, or a majority of one’s peers accept it. Appeals to what others … [Read more...]
1 Peter 3:15 Revisited
The oft-quoted, passion-instilling, lock-yourself-in-a-room-to-read-Plantinga inducing slogan for apologetics comes from 1 Peter 3:15, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." How many times have we heard this at conferences and seminars or read this on blogs and apologetics posts? I know I've seen or heard … [Read more...]
Atheist, meet God
This is a fascinating story of one Atheist's journey to Faith (Marilyn Adamson). She highlights the role that her friend played in that decision and this interaction provides another good case study of what was done right. Here are a few observations I hope you'll keep in mind as you read it. … [Read more...]
A Look at Messianic Prophecy: Who is the Prophet of Deuteronomy 18:15-18?
Introduction … [Read more...]
Fallacy Friday: Ad Misericordiam (Appeal to Pity)
This week I will look at the ad misericordiam fallacy, the fallacy of appealing to pity. Perhaps the best example I have come across is one used by my friend Francis Beckwith; In his book Politically Correct Death: Answering Arguments for Abortion Rights, Beckwith cites the following letter to the editor: The fallacy in this letter is not difficult to spot; it is an argument … [Read more...]
Three Essential Elements of Everyday Apologetics
Are you new to Apologetics? Here are three things every Christian should do with the apologetics information they learn from conferences, podcasts, books and other training resources. In my presentations and workshops, I like to call these the three essential elements of everyday apologetics. 1. Find answers for yourself First, know that Apologetics is for you. It helps you, … [Read more...]
Chatting with Mormons, part 2
Previously I shared about my entry into Apologetics through the study of Mormonism. Today's story comes from another of my experiences with Mormons. It, unfortunately, also involved another failure. I guess I haven't had a lot of luck in my interactions with Mormons. From the time I first started learning about Mormonism to the time of this story I had investigated Mormonism … [Read more...]
Should Apologetics Play A Role In Electing A President?
The first presidential campaign I covered as a journalist was Nixon vs. Humphrey in 1968. I was an atheist, so the candidates' religious viewpoints didn't matter much to me. I didn't care that Richard Nixon was a Quaker or that Hubert Humphrey was a Congregationalist. I didn't believe in God, so what they believed about an imaginary being didn't register as having any … [Read more...]
What Caused God?
Adam: Chris, earlier in our conversation you said that physical reality must've been caused by something—either by God or by something like God. Right? Chris: Yeah, that’s right. Adam: That’s all very well. But then what caused God? Chris: I’m not entirely sure I understand your question. Can you elaborate a bit? Adam: Well, take the so-called argument for a … [Read more...]