Mid-term Flashcards
Definition of presupposition
Something assured in advance; to conclude before investigation
Arguments for and problems associated with a closed system
We live in a closed system. Every cause has its effect.
Arguments:
There is no God
There is no supernatural
Miracles are not possible
Definition of miracles
Special acts of God in the world; presupposes the belief in a God
Degree to which humans can know God
We can understand God to the degree He has revealed Himself to us.
Why God is referred to as He
We do not have the authority to change the names of God used by Jesus Christ in scripture.
Four types of faith
Emotional
Intellectual
Volitional
Heart
Three categories over the existence of God
Cosmological - from cosmos; universe or world
Teleological - from teleos; design, end, or purpose
Ontological - from ontos; the idea of a perfect being
What category argument is referenced more in the bible than any other?
Teleological
Psalms 19:1-6 Psalms 139:14 Matthew 6:26-29 Matthew 10:29 Acts 14:17
Why the Theistic world is not a closed system?
Miracles are not necessarily a violation of natural law
How can the claims for Christianity be examined?
Are they: Accurate? Verifiable? Logical? Reasonable?
Is Jesus who He says He is?
Luke 1:1-4
Acts 1:1-4
I John 1:1-4
and eye witness evidence tell us
Definition of Apologetics
The branch of theology having to do with the defense of proofs of Christianity
General sense of apologetics
Apology - a speech in defense
Apologetics in historical sense
Apologetic - of the nature of a defense: vindicatory
What is pantheism?
A doctrine that equates God with the forces and laws of the universe
Goals of apologetics
Answer those who as you (more later).
Stimulate the thinking of non-believers, hopefully of the faith.
Strengthen the faith of believers. Provide a foundation and structure.
Challenge of validating Christianity
People of the Spirit have an emotional attachment to Christianity.
Challenge is to strange hen our faith, and our answer to non-believers by intellectually examining our faith.
Jesus spoke of the mind in faith.
How to strengthen a believer?
We need both intellectual and Spirit.
Matthew 22:37
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
Key verse for Scriptural Cornerstone
I Peter 3:15 - “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
Peter’s defense of Chrjst hope
Defend yourself by giving reasons.
All Christians are apologists.
What are the misconceptions of Christianity?
Blind faith without thought. - Christians have accepted their faith not on blind faith but intelligent faith.
Be sincere, regardless of belief. - the Christian faith is objective; therefore it must have an object.
Bible is a myth. - Virgin birth; resurrection; Ascension.
World views in collision
Post-modernism - deconstructionism, stress relativity of all meaning and truth, no absolute truth, only truth that is relevant to each individual.
Eastern mysticism - denies a dualistic world. Evidence for ones faith is unimportant, this leads to avoiding information that leads to the knowledge of God.
Scientific - powerhouse opposition to religious beliefs for the past 200+ years. Claims of truth have to me tested by scientific method. Religious claims are suspected because they represent and alternative view.
