Lecture 1: Introduction to Apologetics Flashcards
Define fideism.
Faith is independent of, and often opposite to reason. Faith can be in the face of reason.
Who said “I believe, because it is absurd” about the resurrection?
Tertullian
Give two examples of people espousing fideism.
Tertullian and Kierkegaard
What evidence did Jesus point to that should be used as a basis for belief?
- Telling Phillip to believe based on his works
- Shows Thomas his wounds
- Other pagan cities (Bethseda) would have believed
Who called those who rationally defend Christianity Judas?
Kierkegaard
Give the Catholic view of reason.
Catholics believe natural theology is useful and that we all have the desire for truth in our hearts.
Explain the idea of noetic effects of sin.
Sin impacts how we think, not just our will to do the right thing.
Give the Protestant view of reason.
Protestants believe our sense of reason has been corrupted by the Fall.
Define apologia.
To give a reply or to speak away/against something. More broadly, the defense and explanation of the Christian faith.
Explain Barth’s view on apologetics.
Though deeply suspicious of apologetics, at its best, he thought it could show natural science is not incompatible with Christian viewpoints.
Define proactive apologetics.
From Beilby’s model, these are positive apologetics. They are pre-emptive in nature.
Where did Barth think knowledge of God comes from?
Knowledge of God comes from revelation, not reason.
What time period was known for rationalism?
The Enlightenment
Name two examples of people who advocated for rationalism.
Kant, Locke, Hume
Empiricism is another name for what?
Rationalism
