[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Scripture for YouVersion: Short audio/video: Three questions (1 fill-in-the-blank, 1 multiple choice, and one discussion question): References for further reading: Collaboration notes: Collaborators: [Add your name … [Read more...]
Apologetics Methods, Tactics, & Logic
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: There are five main approaches to the rational defense of the Christian faith (apologetics): Classical, Historical (Evidentialist), Presuppositional, Reformed Epistemology, and Cumulative Case. There are other … [Read more...]
Does the evidence matter, or is it mere distraction?
What miraculous event would remove all doubt that God exists? I spent some time as an atheist in my early-to-mid twenties. I knew there was no convincing evidence for God's existence. I didn't buy the "God says it, I believe it, that settles it," mantra, or the "Faith takes over where reason leaves off" stand-by. I still don't, even after becoming a Christian. Now I know the … [Read more...]
Solving the Problem of Polarization
Today's post is the final entry in my video series on Incarnational Apologetics, In the last three posts, I outlined the problems of Secularization, Pluralization, and Privatization. In this final post, I want to explore the fourth and final problem of Polarization. At the core of Polarization, is the tragic loss of community replaced by alienation. Ravi Zacharias has … [Read more...]
What is Christianity without Apologetics and Missions?
I find being a cultural apologist and an engineer both confusing and beneficial. During the times when the two hemispheres of my brain are not fighting for supremacy against each other, I try to take advantage of the opportunity to observe, process, and analyze certain realities from different perspectives. During my recent investigations of higher education and my experience … [Read more...]
Belief in God as Properly Basic: An Explanation
With respect to holding certain beliefs about things (e.g., the existence of God, the existence of minds other than your own, etc.) we often hold to a criterion of knowledge regarding the grounds for the truth of the belief. Hence, let us ask for example, what might be the justifying grounds for say, believing that God exists? Is there evidence that supports the … [Read more...]
Importance of Bible Reading
Most Christians realize that the Bible is very important to the Christian faith. So much so, in fact, that this often leads to handling the Bible in some strange ways. For example, we might take a particular sentence (verse) and memorize it, yet use it out of context. There are sometimes strange views of how the Bible was produced (ie: dictation). Christians might venerate a … [Read more...]
The Feeding of the Five Thousand: Did It Really Happen?
It’s a story which we have all grown up with. We are all familiar with the famous story of Jesus miraculously feeding the five thousand from five loaves and two fish, with no fewer than twelve basketfuls of leftovers. The story is recounted by all four gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. But just how historical is this story? In this article, I attempt to highlight … [Read more...]
Solving the Problem of Privatization
In this part of my ongoing series on Incarnational Apologetics, I want to explore the four key problems: Secularization Pluralization Privatization Polarization Today’s video post picks up with a discussion of Privatization. So what is Privatization? David Wells in his book, “No Place for Truth”: It is axiomatic that secularism strips life of the divine, but it is … [Read more...]
Answering Objections to Doing Apologetics
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Objections towards apologetics come in many forms, but one is a misunderstanding as to what apologetics ideally means. Douglas Groothuis defines apologetics and those who carry it out (apologists) as … [Read more...]