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Christian Apologetics Resources

Practical Apologetics – Tools of the Apologist
 (Part 1)

Practical Apologetics – Tools of the Apologist
 (Part 1)

      Synopsis

      The first tool of the Apologist is your Spiritual Gift from the Holy Spirit. In this session you will learn to identify your gift, along with how to apply it using your own unique interests and characteristics toward supporting and expanding the body of Christ.

      Main Points Covered

      Spiritual Gifts

      • God has given you a gift that is special and unique so you can contribute to the body of Christ
      • If you are not using the spiritual gift God has given you, you are not in God's perfect will for your life
      • If you're not using that gift, all the rest of us in the body of Christ suffer because we need you to use your gift

      Understanding Your Gift

      • The duties related to these spiritual gifts appear in three different places: 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 and also 28 through 30; Romans 12:6-8; and in Ephesians 4:11

      This Practical Apologetics class  focuses on the 'Speaking Gifts'

      The Gift of Teaching

      This is an individual who is able to explain the Word of God in such a way people really understand

      The Word of Wisdom Gift

      This describes someone who has the unique ability to speak with wisdom into someone else's life with gentleness and clarity

      The Gift of Evangelism

      This person gets genuine joy out of sharing the gospel of good news with people who do not know Jesus Christ

      The Gift of Exhortation/Encouragement

      This describes someone who is called to come alongside another and encourage those who may be discouraged or have difficulties in their life

      The Gift of Prophecy

      The person who can effectively apply scripture to the events of today, showing people the relevance of the Bible in contemporary life

      Applying of Your Gift

      Identifying which type of Christian Apologetics best matches your spiritual gifts and where you would be most effective

      Nine Common Categories of Christian Apologetics

      • Classical Apologetics
      • Evidential Apologetics
      • Historical Apologetics sometimes called Resurrection Apologetics
      • Experiential Apologetics
      • Relational Apologetics
      • Cumulative Case Apologetics
      • Expository  Apologetics
      • Presuppositional Apologetics
      • Creation or Theistic Apologetics

      Homework

      In preparation for next week: Watch the rest of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gipTs96JImI Chose one argument of the atheist that you can, or would like to rebut. Prepare and practice that for next week.

      Scriptural Verses Referenced

      There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.
      – 1 Corinthians 12:4
      Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
      – 1 Corinthians 12:7
      8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
      – 1 Corinthians 12:8-10
      All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
      – 1 Corinthians 12:11
      Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.
      – 1 Corinthians 12:15
      The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment.
      – 1 Corinthians 12:22-24
      If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
      – 1 Corinthians 12:26
      And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[a]? Do all interpret?
      – 1 Corinthians 12:28-30
      We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
      – Romans 12:6-8
      So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers
      – Ephesians 4:11
      And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey... After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
      – Matthew 25:15, 19
      For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;
      – 1 Corinthians 12:8a

      Further Study

      People and Resources Mentioned in This Session

      Voddie Baucham Jr. has recently been placing more emphasis on what he has identified as Cultural Apologetics. Whether teaching on apologetic issues like the validity and historicity of the Bible or the resurrection of Christ, or teaching on biblical manhood/womanhood, marriage and family, he helps ordinary people understand the significance of thinking and living biblically in every area of life. Baucham often starts an Expository Apologetics discussion by saying “apologetics is as simple as knowing what we believe and why we believe it, and being able to communicate that to others in a humble, winsome, biblical manner."

      William Lane Craig is an analytic philosopher, Christian theologian, Apologist, and author. A Professor of Philosophy at Houston Baptist University, Craig is best known for his updated  Kalam Cosmological Argument for the existence of God as described in these three points: 1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause. 2. The universe began to exist. 3. Therefore, the universe has a cause.

      C. Stephen Evans’ recent volume in apologetics, Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense: A Response to Contemporary Challenges is a worthy read for anyone interested in an approachable, yet philosophically rich, defense of the Christian faith.

      Norman Geisler was known first and foremost as a classical Christian apologist. Between 1970 and 1990 he participated in dozens of public debates and gained a reputation as a defender of theism, biblical miracles, the resurrection of Jesus, and the reliability of the Bible.  He authored When Skeptics Ask, Twelve Points that Show Christianity is True, and coauthored I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist.

      Dr. Gary Habermas is the field’s leading Resurrection Apologist. He has dedicated his professional life to the examination of the relevant historical, philosophical, and theological issues surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. Christian Apologists will find a strong arguments for the philosophical possibility of miracles and the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus, as well as the theological and practical implications of this event at: https://garyhabermas.com 

      C.S. Lewis, the atheist scholar who became an Anglican, and the most popular and influential Christian apologist of our time. His legacy continues and has encouraged generations to learn more about Christianity and Jesus through books such as Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and the Great Divorce. C.S. Lewis, with his seven volume series entitled The Chronicles of Narnia, and his good friend and writing companion, JRR Tolkien's beloved Lord of the Rings, developed what could be called Christian Apologetic Fiction.

      Greg Laurie, author of the book and study series, Go Tell Someone, and numerous author books, is the founder of Harvest Ministries. https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/one-of-the-most-effective-ways-to-share-your-faith/

      Hugh Ross is an astrophysicist, author, apologist, and the founder and president of Reasons to Believe (RTB) https://reasons.org/, an organization dedicated to demonstrating the compatibility of science and the Christian faith. RTB helps people discover that sound reason and scientific research consistently affirm the truth of the Bible and of the Good News it reveals.

      Frank Turek is an author, public speaker, and radio host. He is best known as the founder and president of Christian Apologetics Ministry, CrossExamined. https://crossexamined.org. Frank Turek  has co-authored two books. Legislating Morality and I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, with Christian philosopher Norman Geisler.