Apologetic StrategiesApologetic Strategies

John OakesJohn OakesARS ARS

Apologetic Certificate ProgramApologetic Certificate Program

Apologetic Strategies: John OakesApologetic Strategies: John Oakes

Defending the FaithDefending the Faith

– History and ArchaeologyHistory and Archaeology

– How We Got the Bible How We Got the Bible (including response to (including response to form criticism, etc.)form criticism, etc.)

– ScienceScience

– Contradictions in the Contradictions in the BibleBible

Creating FaithCreating Faith

– World ViewWorld View

– ProphecyProphecy

– Miracles/Miracles/ResurrectionResurrection

– Claims of JesusClaims of Jesus

Apologetic Strategies: Bernard RammApologetic Strategies: Bernard Ramm

Personal Experience Personal Experience – Pascal, Kierkegaard, BrunnerPascal, Kierkegaard, Brunner

Natural theology Natural theology – Thomas Aquinas, Tenant, William Lane Thomas Aquinas, Tenant, William Lane

CraigCraig

Inspiration of the BibleInspiration of the Bible– Augustine, C. S. Lewis, McDowellAugustine, C. S. Lewis, McDowell

Schools of Christian ApologeticsSchools of Christian Apologetics

Classical ApologeticsClassical Apologetics– Emphasizes arguments for theismEmphasizes arguments for theism– Miracles make no sense unless prove God exists.Miracles make no sense unless prove God exists.– Thomas Aquinas, William Lane Craig, Norman Thomas Aquinas, William Lane Craig, Norman

GeislerGeisler

Evidential ApologeticsEvidential Apologetics– Emphasizes history, prophecy, like a legal Emphasizes history, prophecy, like a legal

argument.argument.

Cumulative Case ApologeticsCumulative Case Apologetics– Like Evidential but makes legal-type argumentsLike Evidential but makes legal-type arguments

Schools of Christian ApologeticsSchools of Christian Apologetics

Presuppositional Apologetics (World View Presuppositional Apologetics (World View Apologetics)Apologetics)

Reformed Epistemological ApologeticsReformed Epistemological Apologetics– It is rational to believe without experience It is rational to believe without experience

(induction)(induction)

FideismFideism