Introduction To Integrated Christian Apologetics
The word “apologetics” confuses many into thinking that it refers to some kind of apologizing. Actually this word is not derived from the English world “apology”, but from the Greek word “apologia”, which is a word referring to “making a defense”. Apologetics is a general term, signifying a formal defense of any kind. On the other hand, Christian Apologetics is that branch of Christian theology that answers the question “is Christianity believable”. Integrated Apologetics stands for the special approach developed by us in our course material where we integrate the best from all schools of thought in Christian Apologetics.
In the past four centuries, all kinds of religious and spiritual beliefs have come under intense attack at the hands of radical philosophers and critics. Of this assault, the Christian faith has received the major portion because of a number of historical reasons some of which will be mentioned later.
These criticisms against the Christian faith have received so much media coverage that even a good number of well informed non Christians are aware of some of the major charges labeled against the Christian faith. Interestingly, books published against the Christian faith and sold from secular shops become bestsellers even in countries where the buyers are not Christians. This is the result of all this adverse publicity against the Christian faith.
Today all around us there is an atmosphere where criticism of the Bible and related subjects is widespread. Most of the Christian students have to face these attacks from other students in some form or other. It is quite common to meet Christian college-students who are perplexed by questions that are hurled against their faith. The volley of questions come with such high frequency that they find themselves at a loss in answering even a portion of them all. Moreover, since most of them never faced these questions before this assault, they usually do not know what to think and what to answer. Further, they often fall into the trap of thinking that if they do not know the answer, then correct or satisfactory answers do not exist.
Once a person erroneously concludes that answers do not exist for the questions raised against the Bible, his own faith is the next victim. His faith in the inspiration, authority, and the infallibility of the Scriptures suffer very much. He then finds himself in a split mentality: he knows that it is these Scriptures which have brought the message of true salvation to him, but at the same time he does not know what all things written in this Book are believable !
Apologetics is the solution to this problem. A person who has some background in the Christian apologetics can help this person to see the answers to the problems and questions which he is facing. Further, a Christian Apologist can pass on information to the doubting person, using which he can better face the people who raise questions against the Bible.
The last four to five centuries have been a time in history when anti Christian philosophies and thought patterns have flourished to the full extent in Christian societies. Humanism, a philosophy in which man has been elevated to the position of God, is the philosophy of the present times. It is the foundation of almost all the present-day ways of thinking and education. Therefore, students who have been brought up in any of the present day schools or colleges learns many things which are contrary to the Word of God. By the time a person passes out of his college, he accumulates hundreds of such ideas against the Christian faith. The cumulative weight of these ideas give so much doubt to young believers that all over the world they are struggling to overcome problems of distrust and doubt.
No individual can possibly solve each and every doubt that these people have, but with the help of apologetics they can definitely help the people in doubt. An apologist can give answers to a good number of their problems, and can then teach them the basics of the humanistic philosophy. This will help the inquirers not only to overcome their doubts, but will also help them to see the root causes of the problems. This will also give them a capability to deal effectively with at least a good number of questions as they come to them in future.
There is no person in this world who does not face problems. Everyone faces puzzles, questions, and fears of different kinds. Such difficult situations will not go away merely by ignoring them or by pretending that they do not exist. Facing a problem is a difficult affair, and people do resort to tactics which avoid them instead of facing them. This can be seen frequently in relation to the Bible. The attacks against the Scriptures come from such diverse fields and sometimes from people of such high learning that it becomes difficult to answer all of them. No one can ever hope to master all the disciplines of study from which these questions are raised. It is precisely this difficulty which induces many people to avoid facing the issues. But there is actually no need for doing this. Acquiring the basic tools of Christian apologetics will be sufficient to face most of the attacks.
No person can ever hope to answer all the questions that are put to him, but every Christian should definitely know something about what godly men are doing in the field of Christian apologetics. Today the Christian society has numerous highly qualified and dedicated men belonging to all disciplines of study who are trying to answer each and every question that has been hurled against the Bible. No individual can face all of it, and it is natural for individuals to become fearful of these attacks, but once a person realizes that so many people are working on these problems, then he can rest assured that it will not be long before the answer is published. In fact, today there are several thousand scholars around the world who are publishing their conclusions in defense of the Christian faith through hundreds of professional journals and popular magazines. They are accessible to anyone who is willing to take interest.
The Bible shall always be attacked, and there will always be people whose faith will be shaken by such attacks. Only the proper use of Christian Apologetics will help such people.
Powered by FireStats
May 9th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Jesus is the only perfect person. no one else is perfect
May 9th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
all people face problems everyday the only who is perfect is Jesus
May 9th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
all people face problems everyday the only one who is perfect is Jesus Christ
July 17th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Please how do I enroll in an Advanced Diploma in apologetics?
October 17th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I found this website as a result of a search for an Apologetics course. What I have seen so far looks good but I would like to read your doctrinal statement before I procede further.
I hold these 5 statements of belief be agreed to before I accept a person or group as a valid representation of True Christianity and follow any of their teachings.
1. Jesus is both God and man
2. Jesus rose from the dead physically
3. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Alone.
4. The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus according to the scriptures
5. There is only one God comprised of the Three Persons of, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit
If this is your stand I will use and apply your material.
Please Respond.
Rev. George Pryor
December 29th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
This course is very important in the world where we live in. We face many challenges and attacks on christian faith. Through this course I think good things can be learnt especially knowing our right ground in Chistian faith.
May you send me this course vial postal mail, please.
David
January 21st, 2009 at 2:42 am
I couldn’t believe the find! I am enveloped by such skeptics and although I didn’t know which avenue to take in defense of the bible and in the existence of God I knew in my heart God would lead the way and lo’ and behold Apologetics. Amazing. My interest is in the youth. I have a younger brother he’s 19 and claims he’s an athiest, sad but true. not only that but I really would like to introduce apologetics to the youth group in my church, there the ones who have the most pressure when it comes to being a christian. This course is exactly what I need.
January 25th, 2009 at 3:54 am
Amen Julie!
February 16th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
did any onw from the school answer the question that was asked by Rev. George Pryor on October 17th 2008 shown in the comment section?
June 18th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I am guessing that the set up of this website is rather deliberate. It seems you have got to be willing to navigate your way through to show initially that you are able to see this program through. After spending a couple hours walking through all the information here, I was able to deduce that this is what i am looking for. I also believe that the questions of the above comment by Rev. Pryor are answered in the affirmative.
June 28th, 2009 at 6:49 am
I was looking for a bible study like this since Im limited with my finances but as soon as I get an employment I will give to this ministry.
June 28th, 2009 at 7:05 am
I pray this course will bring some clear understanding of questions I have about Apologetics.
June 30th, 2009 at 3:34 am
I think that the christian will always be under attac because we serve the true and living God, this lesson will surly help me to handel difficulties
July 17th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I have just completed all of the lessons in the first course. How do I obtain credit?
August 1st, 2009 at 1:38 pm
This sound good.I hope it will advance the cause of the gospel of christ without resorting to sincretism.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:14 am
This is my Challenge of this 21first century church of the Lord Jesus Christ. we confronted a lot of issues pertaining our belief in God. our faith and stand, of what the Bible says, will help to strengthen our Christian faith,” I rather die a thousand death, than to denied my Christian faith.”
September 27th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
I am of a different generation than most of you. I am so glad I read this lesson. Apologetics meant to me a very mean group of critics in southern California. I also thought it meant some kind of apology for being a Christian. It was not a buzzword when I took ministerial courses eons ago. Thanks for the enlightenment. I am enjoying being able to help my younger children how to stand fast in the onslaught of the enemy. Praise God for all of you.
October 4th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Yes indeed we preach in Faith ,Hope and Agape.Yet even so, we have hard time when people bring the theory of Darwin.In defends I always say this.If we are created from monkeys ,this evolution would carry on even in our days .Yet this is not visible among humanity,so it is Gods word that is correct as it is stated in Genesis.
February 14th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
awsum !we need such institutiones to live the true Gospel!keep it on
March 14th, 2010 at 12:30 am
As I understand Apologetics it is the means and tools that is given to you as a gift to draw people to Christ. As Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all peoples to Myself” John 12:32 nkjv.
March 18th, 2010 at 7:34 am
I am a born again Christian serving in evangelical church of south Sudan (ECSS)I am very much interested in apologetics to defence the christian faith because most of the time we have issues with our people in having the Islamic faith so Ilove the knowledge of apologetics however, I want to know whether the course is free online.
April 5th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
WOW , THIS IS A WONDERFULL COURSE. IT IS REALLY A PRIVILEDGE TO BE EQUIPED WITH KNOWLEDGE TO DEFEND THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.EVANGELISM IN THIS WORLD OF MULTIPLE RELIGIONS AND DISTORTED IDEAS OF PHILOSOPHERS REGARDING CHRISTINITY REQUIRE SOUND KNOWLEDEGE OF APPOLOGETICS.
I REALLY BELEIVE THE KNOWLEDEGE AND SKILLS IN THIS COURSE WILL HELP ME AND OTHERS PREVENT CONVERSION OF OUR CHRISTIAN BRETHREN TO OTHER RELIGIONS , AND TO ESTABLISHED MANY IN FAITH. IN FACT THIS COURSE REALLY PROMOTES AND PROVIDES WHAT IT TAKES TO HAVE A VIBRANT CHURCH TODAY
July 27th, 2010 at 6:42 am
God is Good all the time,he is my shepherd and A a good Leader so that I got a chance to be a member of Trinity BIble college.
Anil Sinku
samsinkoo12@gmail.com