*Comparison of Apologetic Systems

Four Approaches Chart from Speaking the Truth in Love: Perspectives on Apologetics By:  Multiple Authors  www.bible.org

**Four Types of Apologetics Systems:

I. Classical Apologetics: Reason: Deductive

A. Rational approach

1. rational and logical tests for determining truth

2. Foundation of Theology

3. Constructive Use of Philosophy

4. Christianity Consistent with Science

5. Revelation Confirmed in History

6. Proof from Experience

7. Scripture as Conclusion

8. Disproving Other Worldviews

B. faith is reasonable

1. first principles

2. God's ways and thoughts are not contrary to reason but are beyond our finite minds

C. internal coherence

D. Tests experiences by Worldview

1. religious experience not irrational

E. Theism>Christ>Scripture

F. answers: what it means

G. Evil: deductive problem-- Reality of evil does not contradict existence of God: Nature of God and Evil

H. Jesus: Jesus as Lord/ God (John)

II. Evidential Apologetics: Fact: Inductive

A. Empirical (fact) Approach

1. Methods for Discovering Truth

2. Defense of Theology

3. Critical Use of Philosophy

4. Christianity Vindicated by Science

5. History as the Medium of Revelation

6. Experience Founded on Evidence

7. Scripture as Source

8. Uniqueness of Christianity

B. faith is not unreasonable

1. unsaved is able to perceive spiritual truth

2. sees a distinction between apologetics and evangelism

3. gives evidence and reason for CWV to unsaved

4. helps one to see that God probably exists

C. External coherence

1. archaeological, bibliological, experiential and rational evidence

a) scientific and historical evidences

2. Christian worldview is reasonable and highly probable

a) gives good reasons to believe

D. test experiences by facts

1. religious experience may not be reliable

E. Historicity of Scripture>Christ/Theism>inspiration

F. answers: why it's true

G. Evil: inductive problem-- is theism likely with all the evil?

H. Jesus: Jesus as Savior (Luke) Historical

III. Reformed (Presuppositional) Apologetics: Revelation: Theological

A. Scriptural (as authority) approach

1. Biblical Standard for Defining Truth

2. Vindication of Theology

3. Toward a Christian Philosophy

4. Christianity Against False Science

5. Revelation Interpreting History

6. Problem with Experience

7. Scripture as Foundation

8. Antithesis between Christian & Non-Christian Religion

B. Unbelief is unreasonable

1. unsaved are unable to perceive spiritual truth

2. no distinction between apologetics and evangelism

3. defends CWV but sees no common ground with the unsaved

C. fidelity to Scripture

1. reasons from Scripture; assumes Christian truth as revealed in Scripture

a) self attesting authority of Bible

b) no need for validation but can have val.

2. CWV offers the only foundation and framework on which to make sense of the world and God

3. does not offer a basis to justify its assumptions as why one should presuppose CWV.

D. tests experiences by Scripture

1. God's image in man is point of contact

2. God's revelation of Himself in Jesus and in Scripture is the basis for all thinking about reason, fact and human experience

E. Claims of Scripture> irrationality of all alternatives

F. Answers: what it proves

G. Evil: theological problem: Is God sovereign?

H. Jesus: Jesus as Lord: Biblical Christ (Matthew): fulfilled prophecies

IV. Fideist (experiential) Apologetics: Faith; Personal; existential

A. Subjective and persuasive Approach

1. Divine Call to Obey the Truth

2. Making Theology Personal

3. Critiquing the God of the Philosophers

4. Christianity & the Reality Beyond Science

5. Revelation Transcending History

6. Faith Is Experience

7. Scripture as Witness

8. Christian Faith: Not Another Religion

B. faith is not known by reason alone

1. relationship focused: knowing God is relational and personal

2. rational argumentation is insufficient

a) reason cannot be the basis for salvation or faith, God is

3. faith is sufficient to discover and answer theological challenges

C. fidelity to Christ

1. strongest in dealing with personal or volitional issues and questions

D. experience of faith is self validating

1. experience faith, don't defend it

2. personal, existential experience with God cannot be grounded in the rational analysis or scientific and historical evidences, since it is a matter of the heart

3. tires to help people see the personal issues behind their questions and objections

E. Scripture as witness to Christ

F. answers: Why it matters to me personally

G. Evil: Existential Problem-- Is God trustworthy

H. Jesus: Jesus as Savior: crucified (Mark)

> they reflect the different theories of knowledge (Epistemology)

-- differ in rules/methods of apologetics and purpose and scope of apologetics

-- each of the four approaches can be broadened to include elements of the other

-- reflect different stages of a non-Christian's movement toward conviction

-- different approaches are more effective with certain kinds of questions than others

-- the work of God's Spirit in illumination causes us to think differently (logic), to see the facts differently (evidence), and to respond to God differently (faith)

-- we use our reason (mind), sense and choice (will) to receive God's revelation

-- we need to identify which perspective is primary in any specific discussion with a person and address the question at hand from that perspective

-- they are complementary not contradictory

-- Logic, facts (evidence), faith basis of how we receive God's truth

-- God's word, acts and Spirit are the basis on the way God reveals truth to us.

-- postmodernism is self refuting (classical), unrealistic (evidential)

-- Scripture gives us absolute truth but we do not have absolute knowledge of that absolute truth

> All present evidence why one should trust in Jesus as their savior and Lord

***Types of Focus in Apologetics (Charts of Apologetics and Christian Evidences (ZondervanCharts) H. Wayne House, Joseph M. Holden)

I. Philosophical

II. Theistic/Theological

III. Biblical

IV. Historical

V. cultural

VI. Scientific

> Success is in helping one move closer to faith in Christ

--people are either moving toward or away from belief in Christ

::Notes::

--From Integrative Approaches to Defending the Christian Faith,

--Issues and Methods in Apologetics,

--Speaking the Truth in Love: Perspectives on Apologetics

--Contending for the Faith: Apologetics and Human Knowledge

--Reasons for Hope: Integrating Diverse Arguments in Apologetics

found at www.bible.org

--Charts of Apologetics and Christian Evidences (ZondervanCharts) H. Wayne House, Joseph M. Holden: