Apologetic Resources
I find that many followers of Christ are not able to explain to others why they believe what they believe. Many believers also do not understand what constitutes a Christian worldview, nor can they address even simple objections that unbelievers raise against Christianity. Some are new to faith in Christ and this would be expected as they are still learning. Rather, my concern is addressed to those who have been disciples of Christ for a number of years. Some think that their beliefs that they hold are "personal" and therefore do not need any justification to outsiders. Others hold a view such as, "well, that is what my parents taught me and that is good enough for me." Still others defer to someone else in the church to do their "heavy lifting" to answer any questions or objections to faith in Jesus.
The Bible, on the other hand, paints a very different picture of what is required of us. Peter exhorts us to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (I Peter 3:15). The Greek word used in this passage is apologia which means "reason" or "defense." This is where the word "apologetics" is derived from. We also have the example of Paul who "reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there" (Acts 17:17).
God wants us to engage our whole being (heart, soul and mind - Matthew 22:37) while participating in his Kingdom. As such, we cannot neglect our minds by remaining in intellectual neutral. Instead, God calls us to the "renewing of our mind" (Romans 12:2). So how do we bridge this gap between what the Bible asks of us and our current state? This is where the study of Christian apologetics (rational defense for Christian faith) becomes relevant. Am I advocating that we should all pursue graduate degrees in philosophy and theology? No. What I am suggesting is that we should have training in basic apologetics that will prepare us to address our unbelieving friends/neighbors as well as bring confidence to our own beliefs. With this as our goal, I'd like to suggest some resources to get you started.
First, it is important to know WHAT you believe, so sign up for a Christian Essentials class to gain a strong foundation in the doctrines of Christian faith. Once you have completed this, "The Truth Project" class is a great place to continue in order to establish a Christian worldview. Also, look for more apologetic courses in the near future. Second, there are plenty of internet resources available. One particularly good website is published by Stand to Reason (http://www.str.org/) and contains free training and articles as well as an on-line store to purchase books, CDs and other resources. Another great on-line resource is William Lane Craig's website called Reasonable Faith (http://www.reasonablefaith.org/). Dr. Craig also has podcasts that you can subscribe to that are released on a weekly basis. Third, commit yourself to reading to gain knowledge in this subject area. I would recommend a general Christian apologetics book from the following list:
General Apologetic Books
Advanced Apologetic Books
For a more advanced apologetics book I would recommend one of the following:
If after reading one or more of these books you find interest in a particular topic, feel free to talk to myself or Michael Swanson for a recommended resource.
Consider making a commitment to "renew your mind" over this next year in one of these recommended paths.
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