Christian
Apologetic
Apologetic
Recall the three levels of Apologetics
Natural Apologetics (God)
Christian Apologetics (Jesus)
Catholic Apologetics (Church)
These “Gospels” were not included in the bible because of their later date, dubious authorship, unfamiliarity with Judaism, and rejection by the Church Fathers.
The Lost or Gnostic Gospels
This is the most important miracle of Christianity
The Resurrection
T/F: The Trinity can be known by reason alone
T/F: The Trinity is unique to Christianity
F, T
T/F: The Holy Spirit is less divine than the Father and the Son
T/F: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are really distinct
F, T
Who is the intended audience of Christian Apologetics
Non-Christian theists (Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Deists, etc)
This is the given name of the position that doubts the existence of the historical Jesus
Mythicism
Recall a human analogy that helps explain the Incarnation (i.e. how can the infinite God become a finite man)
An author can enter their story, a director can enter their movie, etc
How is the Trinity NOT a contradiction? In other words, how can God be both one and three? (Hint: recall the Trinitarian formula)
God is one in being, yet consists of three Divine Persons
(1 God, Three Divine Persons)
this heresy, named after its founder, rejects the Old Testament.
Marcion (Marcionism)
Christians profess Jesus as Lord because His ______ confirm His claim to divinity and overall message.
miracles
Give one similarity and one difference concerning the Gospels and Myths
Both provide answers to deep, philosophical questions
Gospels = historical, myths = unhistorical
he resurrection is not a ( ), the risen Jesus had a body.
The resurrection is not a ( ), the risen Jesus did not enter a new body
The resurrection is not a ( ), the risen Jesus had a glorified body that did not later suffer death
Ghostly Appearance
Reincarnation
Resuscitation
How is the Trinity like Pi?
It can be known but not fully understood
Which anti-resurrection theory is incorrectly described?
Swoon: Jesus never existed so it is impossible for Him to die on the cross
Missing Twin: Someone else died in Jesus’ place or after Jesus died, someone else appeared claiming to be Jesus
Swoon: Jesus fainted on the cross and later convinced His Apostles that He rose from the dead
Recall the two major sources of “data” for Christian Apologetics.
History
Reason
Why believe in the historical Jesus? Give two reasons.
Historical reliability of Gospels
Extra-biblical ancient sources on Jesus
Success of Christianity
Late arrival of Mythicism (18th century)
Mythicism = Rejected by Jesus scholars
Jesus is too morally demanding to be fabricated
Why do Christians believe in the resurrection? Give three positive reasons.
M: Martyrdom of Apostles
E: Empty tomb, body never found
T: testimony of eyewitnesses (500+)
S: Success of Christianity, Shroud of Turin
Recall the least inadequate explanation/analogy for the Trinity.
Love: Lover (Father), Beloved (Son), Love (H.S.)
Which anti-resurrection theory is incorrectly described?
Mass Hallucination: The Apostles thought they saw the risen Jesus but were deceived
Myth: Jesus never died on the cross
Conspiracy: The Apostles stole the body and lied about the resurrection
Myth: The Apostles preached a symbolic, not literal resurrection
Recall three major topics of Christian Apologetics.
Historical Reliability of Scripture + Humanity of Christ
Divinity of Christ
Trinity
Give two reasons for the historical reliability of the Gospels. Remember the three categories of VIA (Veracity, Integrity, Authorship)
Authorship: Apostles and companions
Veracity: Close setting to reported events, Internal consistency (no major contradictions), external verification (Church Fathers, non-Christians, archaeology)
Integrity: More copies and lowest time gap of any ancient text, no notable tampering
Recall the five options of the Jesus Quintilemma
Lord, Liar, Lunatic, Legend, Guru
Recall the best Scriptural explanation for the Trinity
The Great Commission (Mt 28:19). “Baptize in the name (singular) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Recall two reasons why Christians affirm the Old Testament as Scripture
Jesus affirmed it as Scripture
God is the same in both Testaments (false dichotomy of Marcion)
Progressive revelation (God = more concrete in OT and more spiritual in NT)
OT sets the stage for the NT
Explain the following:
How could Christians believe God died on the cross? Isn’t that impossible?
If Jesus was God, why would He pray to the Father?
Christ’s human, not divine nature died on the cross
Christ’s human nature was in need of prayer. He also prayed as an example for us