...E Leo Whitworth Jr. Dr. C Fred Smith Apologetics 500-D01-LUO April 1, 2015 * What do you think is the best apologetic method and defend your view. * The relationship between faith and reason * A comparison between the evidentialist, presuppositionalist, and experimentalist strategies. In my view, the best argument in apologetics is the evidentialist method. This method argues that the most significant historical events in Christianity- particular the resurrection of Jesus are matters that can be established through proper historical argumentation, even apart from any prior arguments for the existence of God. Instead of trying to prove the existence of God through some form of rational proof, the evidentialist attempts to prove the existence of God through the truth of scripture and then using that truth to prove the existence and nature of God. To do this the evidentialist has to successfully defend his understanding of past events and his interpretation of texts and historical theories and ideology. The evidentialist also assumes a shared view of experiences, scientific theories, and the general rules of logic when engaging a skeptic, and there has to be some shared study and common ground of the nature and philosophy with the unbeliever to have a meaningful discussion. One of the advantages of being an evidentialist you can argue both for theism and for Christian theism at the same time without recourse to an elaborate natural theology. For instance...
Words: 1096 - Pages: 5
...C. S. Lewis once said, “God is not the sort of thing that one can be moderately interested in.” This implies that if God exists humanity ought to find the best way to relate with Him and if God does not exist then there is no need to be interested in God at all. Most theist and atheist philosopher like Camus and Sartre agree that the answer to the question of whether God exists makes a huge difference for man. For example, if there is no God then life ends in death, and therefore our existence is inconsequential. On the other hand, if there is a God, then there a chance/possibility of knowing and relating with Him as part of His creation. This paper therefore seeks to provide reasons that assert the claim that God exists in addition to responding to the popular atheistic theory of theodicy which claims that the problem of evil proves that God does not exist and if He does then He is not good and omnipotent. One of the arguments that theists use to prove the existence of God is the one of the origin of the universe. It relies on the widely popular assertion that the there was a time when the earth was not there. For centuries, human beings have seen themselves faced with the question of why we have everything instead of nothing. Atheists claim that the universe we live in is eternal with no beginning or end and that is all. Surely, that claim is not reasonable. If there is beginning point for the universe then the actual number of events that occurred in the past is infinite...
Words: 1709 - Pages: 7
...According to Groothuis, various apologetic systems have proved useful, even though the best apologetic method must squarely face its limits. Even though a thorough and wide ranging apologetic is surely needed today, apologetics is bounded by at least three realities. [1] First, the Bible is a long, ancient and sometimes perplexing book for contemporary people. Defending what the Bible teaches is not a simple task and it certainly does not admit of a formula. We should realize that all our intellectual endeavors, especially those dealing with the broadest and deepest questions of life’s meaning, will be dogged to some degree by misunderstand, ignorance and intellectual disappointment. To hold that the Christian worldview is the best rational explanation for the things that matter most does not imply that we have a lock on all the best arguments or have attained all the truths we need. [2] Second, apologetics is limited not only by the difficulty of the subject itself, but by the weaknesses of the subjects who practice it which is us. We commend and defend Christianity through our speech, our writing and our demeanor. If we fall short as apologists, this does not mean that Christianity is untrue or irrational, or that all our efforts are vain. Our job is to faithfully give the best arguments possible from the purest heart possible. [3] Then lastly, apologetics must be understood within the framework of God’s secret councils. God often does not tell us how or why he...
Words: 335 - Pages: 2
...EVIDENTIAL APOLOGETICS Michael V. Galarneau Jr. Introduction to Apologetics APOL 500 September 9, 2012 Contents Introduction 1 Summary of Evidential Apologetics 1 Critique of Evidential Apologetics 2 Proponents of Evidential Apologetics 3 Conclusion 3 Bibliography 4 Introduction Apologetics has a long history within Christianity. The term, itself, comes from the Greek word apologia which is found in 1 Peter 3:15 giving apologetics a biblical origin. Peter’s call for believers to “make a defense (apologia)” is the heart of Christian Apologetics. The idea is that, in the face of unbelief and persecution, Christians need to be ready to defend or argue for their belief in Christ. Put a little more plainly, apologetics is “defending Christianity in the context of an unbelieving and skeptical world.” Apologetics comes in many forms or styles that can by generally categorized as one of two differing styles: positive apologetics (“presents the truth of Christ”) or polemics (“proclaims the errors of all other systems”). Within the two styles of apologetics, there are many different approaches to or uses of them. This paper will focus on just one of the many Apologetic Methods: Evidentialism, with the purpose of providing an analysis of the evidential approach to apologetics. Summary of Evidential Apologetics Evidential Apologetics is a form of positive apologetics that is actually a sub-genre of the Classical...
Words: 945 - Pages: 4
...APOLOGETIC METHODS Growing up in a large African American Baptist Church over the past 40 plus years with the past 30 plus years proactively engaged in the attempt of pastors & ministers trying to bridge and mesh this gap that has long existed in our places of worship for various reasons. This gap is the intellectual knowledge of the reasoning and faith. Being that faith and reason are two modes of belief, to explain the relationship of the two one must first explain exactly what reason and faith are. Reason is generally a methodical belief that is gained by utilization of intellectual, moral, or religious principles or evidence. Faith, on the other hand, is belief that is generally a willed attitude of trust motivated by inspiration by a divine authority or revelation. Hence, Reason is more so a demonstrated belief, whereas faith is more so a do-able belief. In our ancestry past, due to lack of access (opportunity) to the faith experience was more of a heart ( do- able ) belief instead of a head ( demonstrated) belief, which was not all wrong , but was not all right neither. Groothuis states ,”Biblically understood, conversion is a radical turn away from sin, selfishness and Satan, and a turn toward God and his kingdom. This incorporates the whole person, not merely the intellect….. Therefore, conversion is necessarily intellectual and involves cognitive assent to propositions taken to be objectively true. “ ( Groothuis, 2011). Basically speaking there is much power...
Words: 550 - Pages: 3
...On Why Love Is A Promise That God Expects Us To Keep…And How He Knows That We Can Have you heard that ” Love is a promise, not a feeling”? Hard to believe when the world about you is filled with songs that say the opposite these days. “Whatever feels right at the moment” is what you hear most often. But when does a broken heart ever “feel” right? When does a “broken” conscience ever let you sleep really peacefully without having to do something distracting to make it go away? Entertainment, addictions, even the approval of the those around you who aren’t really looking through what you’re doing will not eventually make up for what’s missing: real love. The kind of love that only God has made us to want and need in order to feel whole. This love is deep and abiding, encompassing the real passion that its poor substitute tries to get along without in this world. It is relentless in its pursuit of our heart and all the distractions and the false relationships we heap up between us and it show that we cannot get along without it. It won’t let us go in spite of our bad behavior. Why? Because real love is a promise, not a feeling. God created us to express love that way. Expressing anything less, no matter what temporary heights you reach, robs everyone, including yourself. You see, God, made us to be highly motivated to want the promise much more than just the feeling alone. It is the only way to make the whole thing last and get every last best drop of those precious feelings...
Words: 1025 - Pages: 5
...There are numerous apologetic methods that are “on the market” today. So much so that entire books are written just on one particular method. However, I believe Groothius said it best when he stated “some apologists have spent as much time or more time attempting to refute their fellow apologists’ methods than they have in attempting to bring apologetics to the people who need it most: unbelievers and doubting followers of Jesus.” In the options given in our assigned reading this week I relate most with the worldview hypothesis method. I believe this method addresses the needs of the culture around us in order to lead people to genuinely find Jesus. All too often I have seen conversions that have occurred that were not deeply rooted in true change. Whether it was a great worship experience or any other type of experience that was the catalyst to conversion, neither of them seem to be deeply rooted and can be swayed very easily. Worldview hypothesis in my opinion presents more of a consumerist approach that can appeal to people. Let me explain what I mean because I know the word consumerist is a naughty word in the Christian world. The American culture has been engrained with a virtual buffet of choices when it comes to any aspect of our life. Think about it; careers, television, food, shopping, etc. In each of these areas, the person is presented with a smorgasbord or choices in which they weigh the pros and cons and make a decision. And let’s face it, it works. Why...
Words: 526 - Pages: 3
...Secularism and Christian Apologetics When I consider the reasons I returned to school and the chain of events that precipitated this dramatic life altering change, I know in my heart it is God guiding my steps. I am only a student, a late in life student, but I hope in some way I can be of some help perhaps through education a chance in some unknown infinitesimal way of helping to restore our country to some semblance of the moral clarity this nation was founded on. The Secular left is arguably responsible for the loss of our moral compass, today’s society is devoid of character, strength of integrity, honesty, piety, and respect for fellow man. While I am just a student, for me to be able to learn about a way (Apologetics) to help defend Christianity and as a result of my studies perhaps defend my country and my God, it is quite an honor that I hold dearly. I think this is summed up best by one of history’s early recognitions of our nation when described by the French Ambassador, Alexis de Tocqueville, as observed in Democracy in America; I do not know whether all Americans have a sincere faith in their religion, for who can read the human heart? But I am certain that they hold it to be indispensible to the maintenance of republican institutions. This opinion is not peculiar to a class of citizens or to a party, but it belongs to the whole nation and to every rank of society (Tocqueville). I pray we can become closer to this ideal once again. Secularism it is commonly...
Words: 2794 - Pages: 12
...as one of the recent “innovative” approaches to assessments most pursued by states. CBT is lauded as the answer to having cheaper and speedier test delivery for state and district-wide assessments. It is also seen by some as an avenue toward greater accessibility for students with disabilities. In this report we explore the context of CBT, current state computer-based tests, and considerations for students with disabilities, in part as follow-up to a similar exploration that occurred in the early 2000s when just a few states were beginning to develop and implement CBT for their state assessments. Nine considerations for states and districts are presented: • Consider the assumptions and beliefs of various stakeholders about computer-based instruction and assessments. • Consider the system as a whole, from the computer infrastructure to classroom and instructional experiences with computers before deciding whether and how to use CBT. • Consider the computer or online platform first, with input from individuals who know students with disabilities and their accessibility needs. • Consider a process for bringing in the needed expertise to delineate the specific accessibility features of CBT, and to determine what specific accommodations may still be needed by students with disabilities, as well as to determine whether a computer-based test may create new accessibility issues. • Determine the policies for which accessibility features will be available to all students and which are...
Words: 318 - Pages: 2
...acquired abilities (skills) or attitude. The innate nature of aptitude is in contrast to achievement, which represents knowledge or ability that is gained.[1] Contents [hide] 1 Intelligence 2 Combined aptitude and knowledge tests 3 See also 4 References Intelligence[edit] Aptitude and intelligence quotient are related, and in some ways opposite views of human mental ability. Whereas intelligence quotient sees intelligence as being a single measurable characteristic affecting all mental ability, aptitude refers to one of many different characteristics which can be independent of each other, such as aptitude for military flight, air traffic control, or computer programming.[2] This is more similar to the theory of multiple intelligences. Concerning a single measurable characteristic affecting all mental ability, analysis of any group of intelligence test scores will nearly always show them to be highly correlated. The U.S. Department of Labor's General Learning Ability, for instance, is determined by combining Verbal, Numerical and Spatial aptitude subtests. In a given person some are low and others high. In the context of an aptitude test the "high" and "low" scores are usually not far apart, because all ability test scores tend to be correlated. Aptitude is better applied intra-individually to determine what tasks a given individual is more skilled at performing. Inter-individual aptitude differences are typically not very significant due to IQ differences...
Words: 515 - Pages: 3
...Case 1-1 A Student’s Dilemma 1. a) Helen bears the responsibility and obligation of following the rules and doing the best she can. I’m pretty sure cheating wouldn’t be considered following the rules. She also has a responsibility to earn her grade point status the right way. b) Helen stealing the exam is really setting an unfair advantage against her fellow students. Everyone should be even the same rights and opportunity to achieve the same grade on the exam. c) Helen has a responsibility to her future employer to give them what they are asking for; a CPA with integrity and knowledge. Cheating shows a lack of strength and ability in both areas. What if a serious problem came up and she didn’t have the correct knowledge on how to handle it and her company ended up being sued? d) She has a responsibility to live up to the standards and rules the professor laid out in their class. e) Helen should encourage her friend to not lie, cheat or steal. She has a responsibility to help her friend become a better person and anyone who doesn’t do that shouldn’t be considered a real friend. f) She is really just cheating herself out of the opportunity to learn, grow and achieve the status on her own. She had a chance to prove to herself that through hard work and discipline she could of accomplished the same grade the right way. Once that line gets blurry, it’s hard to tell when you cross it. 2. Fairness is the first one that comes to mind. It really isn’t fair to the professor...
Words: 476 - Pages: 2
...minutes) but I’ve compressed it into two lessons (2 x 50 minutes). This was a request by my mentor explaining that I should cover as much as I possibly can for the exam. Thus, I am thinking that how could I teach this huge and important topic in the time frame given while not sacrificing student’s learning experience. A very difficult task but I’m willing to take the challenge. Most of my classes are weak classes. During my observation class with my mentor, she was doing correction on the test the students had. Only for class 9A, she explained to the students on why the answers were wrong and a short discussion before giving them the correct answer. However, for other classes she just wrote down the answer on the board and let them copy without any explanation or discussion. When I raised the issue, my mentor pointed out that weak students tend to forget what they have learnt in the class, so there is no point to even discuss their mistakes in test and assignments. I was also showed the test score of the weak students and found out that a lot of them failed biology. So, I decided to find out possible reason why the students failed this subject and request my mentor to allow me to mark their assignments. The assignments consist of structured questions. From the students’ answer, I could see that language is one of the problem. For some questions, students copied the definitions off the notes and for others that require their own answer, the words used are not suitable and difficult...
Words: 366 - Pages: 2
...work for them but there are still more effective ways to help prepare you. When you know you have to write an essay that’s due the next day, take your Xbox and cellphone and give it to a friend that cares about your academic success. Tell them to hold on to it until you finish your paper. When studying its good to use old test and quizzes to look over to see your strong suites and weaknesses and it also gives you an idea on what you need to study. While looking over your test and quizzes rewrite questions you got wrong and make your own quizzes. Go back and keep quizzing yourself Intel you have a better understanding of the material. The next step to preparing for a exam is build up your class notes. Try your best to keep them organized. Get to gather with a buddy or a study group and compare notes and fill in any missing material. Make sure all your key information matches, underline any key words, formulas, themes and concepts. Ask members of the study groups to quiz and test you. After going though these steps you should have a better idea of what the material is and even better how to do it. These steps help me when I’m psyched out before for a test. I always take a deep breath and carefully go though these steps. I hope these steps for taking an exam help you as they have assisted me in the...
Words: 330 - Pages: 2
...MID-TERM EXAM - 1st Semester, 2012 |Date |Time |Course Title & Code |Room No. | |29 June, 2012 |11.00 am ~ 12.30 pm |501: Accounting System & Auditing |502 | |(Friday) | | | | |30 June, 2012 |7.00 pm ~ 8.30 pm |502: Managerial Economics |402 | |(Saturday) | | | | |06 July, 2012 |3.00 pm ~ 4.30 pm |503: Business Communication |502 | |(Friday) | | | | |07 July, 2012 |7.00 pm ~ 8.30 pm |504: Advanced Management |502 | |(Saturday) | | | | |13 July, 2012 |3.00 pm ~ 4.30 pm |503: Business Communication...
Words: 266 - Pages: 2
...sweating. She was fifteen minutes into her math final when she began to panic. This exam was worth most of her grade in the class. She understood math—even liked it—and usually did really well. Her constant problem was that she wasn’t a strong test-taker. Her grades never reflected her understanding of the material she studied. Now, here she was, once again stuck on one problem worth twenty-five points on the test, and she was drawing a blank. She put her head down on the desk and concentrated as hard as she could. She remembered doing a similar problem in class and explaining it to her friend Jessie, but now she was so stressed out by the test, she couldn’t even remember how to begin the problem. She lifted her head and stared at her test. She listened to the clock tick on the wall and imagined her parents’ expression when she receives her report card. Jessie was sitting right in front of her. He is always a good test taker and had already solved the problem. The teacher had his backed turned and was on the other side of the room. Georgia could look over Jessie’s shoulder, get the answer, and no one would know. Georgia needed to think quickly. She thought about how unfair it was that she regularly does badly on tests even though she works so hard in class and understands the material, too. She thought about how often she helped Jessie in class throughout the semester. What should she do? She prided herself on doing what was right. But how right is...
Words: 402 - Pages: 2
