Apologetics and Polemics

Apologetics and Polemics

Apologetics

The word “apologetics” derives from the Greek word apologia,

The accused would attempt to “speak away” (apo—away, logia—speech) the accusation

1.“Apologetics is the branch of Christian theology which attempts to give a rational defense of the Christian faith.”

 [1Pe 3:14 ESV] But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

[1Pe 3:15 ESV] but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

make a defense

g627   ἀπολογία apologia

[Luk 12:11 ESV] And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,

[Phl 1:7 ESV] It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

What is Polemics?

the art or practice of disputation or controversy:

the branch of theology dealing with the history or conduct of ecclesiastical disputation and controversy.

[Act 17:10 ESV] The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.

[Act 17:11 ESV] Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

[Act 17:12 ESV] Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

My Story:  I want The Truth.  I want The Answers 

I had to know the answers for myself.  

1. Was the Bible trustworthy? Why?  

2. Is Jesus really God?  why?  

3. Which religion (Christian Church) is the right one and why are the others wrong? 

4. What is sin? 

Example of Apologetics:  The earth is less than 7,000 years old.  

“Living Fossils”  an illogical statement if evolution were true.  No problem with a young earth. 

Example of Polemics

http://pulpitandpen.org/2016/08/17/pastor-jeff-lasseigne-of-harvest-asks-statue-of-pope-francis-to-pray-for-harvest-crusades/

Why learn this?  

[Jas 1:2 ESV] Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

[Jas 1:3 ESV] for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

[Jas 1:4 ESV] And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

[Eph 4:12 ESV] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

[Eph 4:13 ESV] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

[Eph 4:14 ESV] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

To build yourself up, to become strong, to have a logical and rational reason to offer. It’s for you. 

** Lost people don’t and can’t use logic.  

The best way to defend the faith is simply quote Bible verses. Impale them the Sword of The Lord. 

Why, it’s a heart/sin issue.  Lost people can’t think straight until their heart has been renewed. 

Great resources. 

Don't Check Your Brains at the Door

by Josh McDowell, Bob Hostetler

http://www.josh.org/

https://answersingenesis.org/

http://leestrobel.com/

www.carm.org  Matt Slick

http://www.proofthatgodexists.org/  Sye Ten Bruggencate

Polemics

http://polemicsreport.com/  J.D. Hall

http://pulpitandpen.org/

You can view the slides here. 

Apologetics and Polemics

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