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ChristianApologetics
Evidences For Logical And Rational FaithIn Jesus Christ As The Son Of God
This material is from
ExecutableOutlines.com
, a web site containing sermon outlinesand Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or downloadadditional material for church or personal use.The outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel.Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style.
To God Be The Glory!Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2006
 
Mark A. CopelandChristian Apologetics 2
Christian Apologetics
Table Of Contents
Introduction To Christian Apologetics 3The Historical Jesus 7Our Dependence Upon The New Testament 10Evidence For Early Existence Of The New Testament 12Archaeological Support For The New Testament 15Manuscript Attestation For The New Testament 18The New Testament: Truth Or Lie? 21For Your Further Study 24
 
Mark A. CopelandChristian Apologetics 3
Christian Apologetics
Introduction To Christian Apologetics
INTRODUCTION
1. In
1 Pe 3:15
, all Christians are commanded to be ready to make a ‘defense’ for the reason of theirhope in Christ...a. The word ‘defense’ is from
apologia
, which means “a speech in defense of what one has done,or of truth which one believes”b. The formal use of this word is used by Paul in
Ac 22:1; 1 Co 9:3
 2. Peter, however, uses the word in the context of an informal inquiry by a friend or neighbor...a. E.g., someone asking “Why are you a Christian?”b. To such Peter says that we should be ready to give reasons why we believe3. In this series, we shall examine some of the evidence that exists for placing one’s faith in Jesus asthe Christ, the Son of the Living God4. In doing so, I hope to accomplish two objectives:a. To
strengthen our faith
in Jesus Christb. To
help prepare ourselves
to be able to do the very thing enjoined by Peter in
1 Pe 3:15
 [In this lesson, I wish to establish some
basics
for Christian apologetics that are important for all torealize...]
I. THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS AN INTELLIGENT, RATIONAL FAITHA. IT APPEALS TO THE ‘MIND’ AS WELL AS TO THE ‘HEART’...
1. God expects us to use our minds -
Mt 22:36-38; Jn 8:32
 a. I.e., we do not have to commit “intellectual suicide” in order to have faith!b. This is important, for as one person said, “My heart cannot rejoice in what my mindrejects!”1) A “weak faith” may be the result of the heart trying to believe in some thing the mindcannot accept2) But the “strong faith” God requires involves both the mind and the heart2. So it is important that we present reasons why we believe in an
intelligent
and
rational
 mannera. “We cannot pander to a man's intellectual arrogance, but we must cater to hisintellectual integrity.” -
Paul Little
 
B. DOES THIS MEAN WE CAN OFFER 100% PROOF...?
 1. No, but there is virtually nothing of which we can be 100% sure (e.g., who our parents are)2. Yet, we often make 100% commitments with less than 100% proof; e.g., flying on anairplane...a. We cannot be 100% certain that we will have a safe journeyb. But the statistical evidence is strong enough to convince us that we willc. So though we may not have 100% certainty of arriving safely, when we step on the
of 00

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