Apologetics. What is apologetics Apologetics comes from a Greek word “apologia” which means...
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Transcript of Apologetics. What is apologetics Apologetics comes from a Greek word “apologia” which means...
![Page 1: Apologetics. What is apologetics Apologetics comes from a Greek word “apologia” which means “Defense”. In general it means “Reasoned arguments or writings.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062407/56649caf5503460f9497355e/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Apologetics
![Page 2: Apologetics. What is apologetics Apologetics comes from a Greek word “apologia” which means “Defense”. In general it means “Reasoned arguments or writings.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062407/56649caf5503460f9497355e/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
What is apologetics
• Apologetics comes from a Greek word “apologia” which means “Defense”.
• In general it means “Reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine”.
• It is a branch of theology that deals with the defense and establishment of the Christian faith.
• Every true believer should be involved in Christain apologetics.
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Scriptural backing for apologetics• The word appears 8 times in the New Testament:
(It is used eight times in the New Testament: Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Cor. 9:3; 2 Cor. 10:5-6; Phil. 1:7; 2 Tim. 4:16, and 1 Pet. 3:15.
• But it is the last verse that is most commonly associated with Christian
• Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence," (1 Peter 3:15);
• Paul was an apologist when he gave reasons for the Christian faith (Acts 17:15-34; 18:4)
• Apollos was another apologist (Acts 18:24-28);
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8 reasons why do we need apologetics today
1. We are commanded to defend the faith: 1 Peter 3:15
2. It helps Christians know their faith.3. It helps attempt to keep people out of hell. 4. It counters the bad image that Christianity
has received in the media and in culture;5. There is a constant threat of apostasy in the
visible Christian church
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Why we need Apologetics• Metropolitan Community Church denomination,
which openly advocates the support of homosexuality in violation of scripture (Rom. 1:18-32).
• As of 2002, the Evangelical Lutheran Church is in risk of apostasy by entertaining the idea of accepting homosexual relationships into church.
• "The United Church of Christ set up a $500,000 scholarship fund for gay and lesbian seminarians
• And are urging d wider acceptance of homosexuals by other denominations.
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Why we need apologetics today
6. There are many false teachings out there (Mormonism; Islam, Jehovah’s witnesses, etc).7. The rise of immorality in society today is a threat not only to society but also to Christianity.8. Schools are increasingly becoming un friendly to Christianity.
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Understanding the Current Environment
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Three factors influencing the agent need for apologetics
1. Difference in Cultural Values2. Difference in ethical standards3. Globalization
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1. Difference Cultural Values• Culture is “the set of beliefs, customs, and
attitudes shared by a distinct group of people”.• Geert Hoftstede’s Cultural Dimensions of national
cultures.• Used to understand other cultures.• Power distance – It is a “culture that accepts
hierarchy, authority, and the unequal distribution of power in society”.
• Some countries have a high power distance while others have low power distance
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Understanding Cultural Dimensions of Nations
2. Individualism vs collectivism•Under individualism - ties between individuals are loose: •Everyone is expected to look after him/herself and his/her immediate family. •On the collectivist side, we find societies in which people from birth onwards are integrated into strong, cohesive in-groups, often extended families•With uncles, aunts and grandparents
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Cultural Dimensions3. Masculinity vs Femininity•Femininity – prefers indirect form of influencing others is preferred practiced•Masculinity - this a direct form of influencing others•Masculine traits include assertiveness, materialism/material success, self-centeredness, power, strength, and individual achievements.•Femininity includes being modest and caring, being indirect, not confrontational;•Value relationships, cooperation, group decision making and quality of life.
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4. Uncertainty Avoidance• Uncertainty avoidance deals with a society’s tolerance
for uncertainty and ambiguity; • it ultimately refers to man’s search for Truth.• I indicates to what extent a culture programs its
members to feel either uncomfortable or comfortable in unstructured situations.
• Unstructured situations are novel, unknown, surprising, and different from usual.
• Uncertainty avoiding cultures try to minimize the possibility of such situations by strict laws and rules, safety and security measures,
• They have a philosophical and religious belief in absolute Truth; ‘there can only be one Truth and we have it’.
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5. Long vs short term orientation
• Long term orientation - There is great concern for the future;
• Puts high value on thrift and perserevence;• Short term orientation puts high value on
meeting the current obligations
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High vs Low Context
• High context – People are sensitive to circumstances surrounding social exchange
• They prefer indirect as opposed to direct communication;
• It is not what is said but how it is said.• Low context cultures – people exchange facts
and information• Meaning is derived from the words.
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2. Difference in Ethical Standards
• Ethical standards are generally accepted rules that govern society;
• Ethics are about what is right and what is wrong;
• It is about what is moral and what is immoral.• We now discuss key basis of ethical standards
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Different ethical standards
1. Utilitarianism – An action is ethical if it provides the greatest good for the greatest number of people;
- Justified slavery2. Justice theory – This approach holds that moral
decisions must be based on standards of equity, fairness and impartiality.
3. Individualism – Acts are moral if they promote the individuals best long term interests
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Human Rights Approach4. Rights approach – it states that human beings have fundamental rights that cannot be taken away.•On the surface this looks good;•But this has been used to commit sorts of evil:•This includes gay rights, divorce, abortion, insolence from children;•It includes rights to privacy – that you cannot even witness to people.
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Difference in ethical standards
5. Divine Command theory – states that there are certain rights and conduct are controlled by God, and no matter what society does, it should not drift from these tenets.•There is no shifting of standards;•What is immoral today will be morally okay tomorrow.•Something is normal if the majority are doing it.
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Factors that have led to information age1. Proliferation of technology;
Types of technology: satellite TV, Fibre optic, computers, invention of the micro chip. Cell phones, etc.
• The cost is becoming cheaper and cheaper. Low costs of making phone calls compared to the past.
• Lower cost transport making goods to be flooded on the local market.
• Strategy: you should have access to the latest technology which makes you efficient and competitive.
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2. Democratization of information
• As result of the internet, information is at the finger tips.
• It is not what you know but how fast you get the information.
• Information is becoming sterile very fast.• All sorts of information is at your finger tips,
including trash;• How can you discern the write information.• As a Christian, you can discern the right information• What about the unbelievers and the young
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Liberalization of finance• There is flow of movement of funds all over the world.• There are no longer any restriction.• People with money are now influencing economic policies not
voters. • Any perceived negative event, policy makes them to move
their money from one country to another.• Opportunity: it is easier now to have access to finance than
before as long as you can be trusted.• People and countries with money are now dictating values;• They think we must believe in what they believe in;• We have a clash of values