Christian Apologetics – Part IIChristian Apologetics – Part II

St. Mary & St. Mina Youth MeetingSt. Mary & St. Mina Youth MeetingNovember 21, 2014November 21, 2014

Summary of last timeSummary of last time

• The importance of apologeticsThe importance of apologetics

• The argument from DesignThe argument from Design

The necessity of religionThe necessity of religion

• There was never a race with religionThere was never a race with religion

• Something wide-spread like that Something wide-spread like that cannot be ascribed to customcannot be ascribed to custom

ReligionReligion

• Every goal requires proper means to Every goal requires proper means to attain itattain it

• God is the supreme goal of mankindGod is the supreme goal of mankind

• Religion is defined as the sum of truths Religion is defined as the sum of truths whereby one’s life is directed toward whereby one’s life is directed toward GodGod

Natural ReligionNatural Religion

• The truths and precepts that man can The truths and precepts that man can discover by the natural light of reasondiscover by the natural light of reason

• This is by no means an easy taskThis is by no means an easy task– Requires a lot of studyRequires a lot of study– Requires a lot of timeRequires a lot of time– Requires motivationRequires motivation

Natural ReligionNatural Religion

• The fall of man is also hampering him The fall of man is also hampering him from being able to find God on his from being able to find God on his ownown

• In Christianity, it is not that we are In Christianity, it is not that we are trying to reach out to God. On the trying to reach out to God. On the opposite, it is God who is reaching opposite, it is God who is reaching out to us !out to us !

Revealed ReligionRevealed Religion

• Christianity is a revealed religion, Christianity is a revealed religion, confirmed by God in so many different confirmed by God in so many different waysways

• If God has revealed Himself to us, it is If God has revealed Himself to us, it is not up to us now to practice religion not up to us now to practice religion the way we wantthe way we want

Religion as a personal Religion as a personal relationship with Godrelationship with God

• Religion can be better defined as Religion can be better defined as man’s recognition of the existence of man’s recognition of the existence of God, and the worship of Him because God, and the worship of Him because of His excellence, love and beauty.of His excellence, love and beauty.

• Man as a creature is dependent on Man as a creature is dependent on God, and therefore it is important to God, and therefore it is important to recognize this and act accordinglyrecognize this and act accordingly

Religion (cont.)Religion (cont.)

• A strong argument for the necessity A strong argument for the necessity of religion is based on man’s desire of religion is based on man’s desire to be happyto be happy

• The things of the world cannot make The things of the world cannot make us happy – why ?us happy – why ?

Religion (cont.)Religion (cont.)

• Man has an intellect and will, and Man has an intellect and will, and God is the supreme object of man’s God is the supreme object of man’s intellect and willintellect and will