Much to the dismay of its critics, defending the Christian faith does not rest on a complicated, philosophical quest nor illogical assumptions. The task of defending the Christian faith – or Christian apologetics – is for every Believer. In this easy-to-read, beginners guide to Christian apologetics, scholar and apologist Dr. John Warwick Montgomery lays the groundwork for why the case for Christianity is factually and historically compelling as well as how we should defend the faith.
The book's three sections will lead you through the importance of Christian apologetics, issues the nonbeliever may raise, and how to bring the centrality of the faith – Christ on the cross – before atheists, skeptics and people from other worldviews.
For those who want a lighthearted yet thorough introduction to the how, why and what of Christian apologetics, this primer is a go-to guide for those who hope to “be ready always to give an answer for the faith that is within” (1 Peter 3:15).
John Warwick Montgomery is the author of more than sixty books in six languages. He holds eleven earned degrees, including a master of philosophy in law from the University of Essex, England, a PhD from the University of Chicago, a doctorate in protestant theology from the University of Strasbourg, France, and a higher doctorate in law (LLD) from the University of Cardiff, Wales. He is a Lutheran clergyman and an English barrister. He has been admitted to practice as a lawyer before the Supreme Court of the United States and is a practicing avocat, Barreau de Paris, France. Dr. Montgomery is Professor Emeritus of Law and Humanities, University of Bedfordshire, England, and additionally serves as Professor-at-Large for 1517.
Part 1: Some Essential Preliminaries
- Why This Primer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 3
- Why Defend the Faith—and How?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 5
- But Aren’t All Unbelievers Blind to Evidence? . . ... . . . . . . .. . . . . 9
- Common Sense—or Revelation?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Part 2: The Issues
- God: Is Someone out There? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
- Christ: Evolved Humanity or God in the Flesh?. . . ....... . . . . . . . .25
- The Trinity: Does Three Equal One?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . .33
- How Reliable Is the Bible? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .37
- What about Evolution?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . .43
- Sexual Issues: Isn’t Christianity Out-of-Date?. . . . . . . . . ...... . . . .51
- How Can God Exist in a World of Misery?. . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . . .55
- Hell: Only on Earth? Heaven: Pie-in-the-Sky?. . . . . . . ....... . . . . .59
Part 3: Decision Time
- Why Not Other Worldviews?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . . . .65
- Doesn’t an Extraordinary Claim Require Extraordinary Evidence?. . . 71
- A Push from Inside. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... . . . . .75
- But as an Agnostic, Can’t I Put off the Decision for a While?. . . . . . . .79
- Reading Can’t Hurt: Suggested Resources..........................................81
- Appendix A: How Much Evidence to Justify Religious Conversion?.... 83
- Appendix B: A Computable Universe?................................................. 99
- Appendix C: How Not to Interpret the Bible........................................ 103
- About the Author ................................................................................ 107
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