Lesson 2 - Biblical Foundations for Apologetics

Question 1

How is apologetics employed in the NT?

Answer 1

2 Exhortations

1. ) 1 Peter 3:15 - be prepared to make a defense; manner - gentleness and respect; context: suffering for the faith
2. ) Jude 3 - contend for the faith; content - the faith; context - threat of false teachers

2 Examples

1. ) John 20:30-31 - lead people to saving faith in Christ; apostolic testimony to Jesus miracles
2. ) Paul
   - Reasoned: Paul doesn’t just preach, but reasons (Acts 17, 18, 19, 24:25)
   - 2 Cor. 10:4-5 - take captive thoughts to Christ

Question 2

What are the different categories that compromise a worldview?

Answer 2

1. ) Theology - presuppositions about god
2. ) Anthropology - presuppositions about man
3. ) Knowledge - presuppositions about knowledge, truth
4. ) Ethics - presuppositions about right/wrong, goodness, morality
5. ) Salvation - presuppositions about human problem and solution

Question 3

How do the worldview categories relate to a Christian approach to apologetics?

Answer 3

1. ) Theology - apologetics should aim to present the Christian god, not just theism; should aim to show the dependence on God for all things;
2. ) Anthropology - recognize the nouetic effects of sin; point of contact based on human nature
3. ) Knowledge - involves an appeal to what has already been revealed; acknowledges the authority of Scripture; distinctively Christian epistemology; involves a clash of entire worldviews
4. ) Ethics
5. ) Salvation - apologetics should not merely aim for belief in God, but faith in Christ; cannot succeed apart from divine grace; will succeed because of divine grace.