Christianity Apologetics

the scutum fidei, diagram used christian apologists explain trinity.

christian apologetics combines christian theology, natural theology, , philosophy present rational basis christian faith, defend faith against objections , misrepresentation.

christian apologetics has taken many forms on centuries. in roman empire, christians severely persecuted, , many charges brought against them. j. david cassel gives several examples: tacitus wrote nero fabricated charges christians started burning of rome. other charges included cannibalism (due literal interpretation of eucharist) , incest (due christians practice of addressing each other brother , sister ). saul of tarsus, justin martyr, irenaeus , others defended christianity against charges brought justify persecution.

later apologists have focused on providing reasons accept various aspects of christian belief. christian apologists of many traditions, in common jews, muslims, , others, argue existence of unique , personal god. theodicy 1 important aspect of such arguments, , alvin plantinga s arguments have been highly influential in area. many prominent christian apologists scholarly philosophers or theologians, additional doctoral work in physics, cosmology, comparative religions, or other fields. others take more popular or pastoral approach. prominent modern apologists douglas groothuis, frederick copleston, john lennox, walter r. martin, dinesh d souza, douglas wilson, cornelius van til, gordon clark, francis schaeffer, greg bahnsen, edward john carnell, james white, hank hanegraaff, ravi zacharias, alister mcgrath, lee strobel, josh mcdowell, peter kreeft, g. k. chesterton, c. s. lewis, william lane craig, j. p. moreland, hugh ross, david bentley hart, gary habermas, norman geisler , scott hahn.

notable apologists within catholic church include bishop robert barron, g. k. chesterton, dr. scott hahn, patrick madrid, kenneth hensley, karl keating, ronald knox, peter kreeft, , gus loyd.

john henry newman (february 21, 1801 – august 11, 1890) english convert roman catholicism, later made cardinal, , beatified in 2010. in life major figure in oxford movement bring church of england catholic roots. studies in history persuaded him become roman catholic. when john henry newman entitled spiritual autobiography apologia pro vita sua in 1864, playing upon both connotation, , more commonly understood meaning of expression of contrition or regret.

christian apologists employ variety of philosophical , formal approaches, including ontological, cosmological, , teleological arguments. christian presuppositionalist approach apologetics utilizes transcendental argument existence of god.

tertullian notable christian apologist. born, lived , died in carthage. known father of latin church . introduced term trinity (latin trinitas) christian vocabulary , formula 3 persons, 1 substance latin tres personae, una substantia (itself koine greek treis hypostaseis, homoousios ), , terms vetus testamentum (old testament) , novum testamentum (new testament).

mormonism

there notable latter-day saint apologists focus on defense of mormonism, including church leaders such parley p. pratt, john taylor, b. h. roberts, james e. talmage , more modern figures such hugh nibley, orson scott card, , jeff lindsay.

several well-known mormon apologetic organizations, such foundation ancient research , mormon studies (a group of scholars @ brigham young university) , fairmormon (an independent, mormon-run, not-for-profit group), have been formed defend doctrines , history of latter day saint movement in general , church of jesus christ of latter-day saints in particular.