In his letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul instructs his readers to "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person," (Colossians 4:6). I have found this advice to be invaluable in the context of debate, an activity in which many of us in the apologetics community participate. Recently, I have had the … [Read more...]
Identity Crisis: Should We Use the Term Apologetics?
Do you get blank stares when you mention apologetics? Should we drop the term and find another, like case-maker? Having tried apologetics as well as other terms, I think the problem is deeper. What can we do, and what might we learn from others who share a similar identity problem? … [Read more...]
Answering Jewish Objections: “Jewish People Don’t Believe in a Suffering/Atoning Messiah”: Part One
Introduction Over the years, I have had the chance to talk to several Jewish people about spiritual issues. A common Jewish objection that I continue to hear is that Jewish people don’t believe that a human can be sacrificed for sins. In other words, a human can’t atone for the sins of the Jewish people. First, let me give some background to the idea of atonement in Judaism. … [Read more...]
Book Review: "The Resurrection of Jesus" by Mike Licona
When it comes to the truth of Christianity, no subject is more important than the Resurrection. The entire Christian faith hinges on it, and without it our faith becomes pointless. The apologetic task of defending the Resurrection is tantamount to defending Christianity itself, or at least defending its most defining facet. Thanks to the work of Josh McDowell, Gary Habermas, … [Read more...]
Does The Moral Argument Reify Subjective Morality?
Matthew Lawrence wrote in this question and gave permission to blog it and my answer below: Hello Christian Apologetics Alliance. I would like to first off say thank you for the resources that you've given to me. This has helped me boost my faith up greatly. Also I was wondering if you can please help me with an objection to the moral argument. I was talking to a skeptic … [Read more...]
The Benefits of Community in Apologetics
Apologetics is the type of thing that can really strengthen anyone’s faith. Reading a good book or watching a debate on YouTube can be great for individual training. However, apologetics is also something that I have found can be dramatically enhanced through community interaction. I became interested in this field like a lot of other people. I started reading books beginning … [Read more...]
What Christians Should Know About Paul
By Eric Chabot Given that historians look to those who are contemporaries of the events, Paul is an important resource for what historians can know about Jesus of Nazareth. Furthermore, the earliest documents we have for the life of Jesus are Paul’s letters. Paul was a very competent rabbi who was trained at the rabbinic academy called the House of Hillel by ‘Gamaliel,’ a key … [Read more...]
Approaching Apologetics Like A Chess Match
Working in apologetics is not something that should be done carelessly. While no one can claim to be the perfect apologist, it is important that as we approach these discussions, we come to the table with a strategy for engagement. I do not know if any of you are chess players like I am, but as I was thinking about the way that we help those around us understand the rationality … [Read more...]
Articulating One's Beliefs Can Be A Challenge
Introduction. Despite the fact of my not posting since the beginning of the month, I have not lost sight of the mission. Working with the people I work with, some of them being some of the most profane people that I have ever come across, I have not lost sight with how I am "wired" and the ministry mission. Even though where I am (on my job) during a good chunk of the week, I … [Read more...]
Youth, Popularity, and Apologetics
I was listening to J. Warner Wallace’s podcast recently, and it’s one I encourage all of you to listen to. He talked about presenting talks on apologetics and how youth get enthused about it. I started pondering then why that might be, and I’d like to share a suspicion I have on the matter. I have written much on how the ancient world was an honor/shame culture where we’re a … [Read more...]