apologetics

apologetics
   Apologetics is the rational defence of the faith. Christian philosophers differ over the importance and methods of apologetics. Some hold that it is a duty on every Christian to be able to give positive arguments in favour of his or her beliefs. Others hold that the only duty is to rebut arguments against Christianity. A middling position is held by those that claim that the Christian can and ought to provide negative arguments against nonChristian worldviews even if he or she cannot buttress his or her own views with positive arguments. One could also shift the apologetic duty from the individual to the broader Christian community such that individual Christians need not have the resources to defend Christianity so long as there are some individuals within the community that are so able.
   Further reading: Campbell-Jack, McGrath and Evans 2006; Geisler 1976 and 1998

Christian Philosophy . . 2015.

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  • Apologetics — • A theological science which has for its purpose the explanation and defence of the Christian religion Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Apologetics     Apologetics      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • apologetics —    Apologetics is a branch of theology concerned with the elucidation and defense of the Christian religion. A technical term derived from a Greek root for defense, the word apologetics is confusing to modern English speakers and is often… …   Encyclopedia of Protestantism

  • Apologetics — A*pol o*get ics, n. That branch of theology which defends the Holy Scriptures, and sets forth the evidence of their divine authority. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • apologetics — [ə päl΄ə jet′iks] n. [see APOLOGETIC] the branch of theology having to do with the defense and proofs of Christianity …   English World dictionary

  • APOLOGETICS — introduction against hellenism in the talmud and midrash in relation to christianity medieval apologetics sefer ha kuzari islam spain and southern france northern france 14TH AND 15TH CENTURY SPAIN italy the rest of europe In the 18th Century In… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Apologetics — Apologists are authors, writers, editors of scientific logs or academic journals, and leaders known for taking on the points in arguments, conflicts or positions that are either placed under popular scrutinies or viewed under persecutory… …   Wikipedia

  • apologetics — /euh pol euh jet iks/, n. (used with a sing. v.) the branch of theology concerned with the defense or proof of Christianity. [1725 35; see APOLOGETIC, ICS] * * * Branch of Christian theology devoted to the intellectual defense of faith. In… …   Universalium

  • apologetics —    This word (from the Greek apologia, meaning a speech in self defense ) refers to any set of arguments defending a theory or doctrine. Christian apologetics is the branch of theology that is concerned with explaining and defending Christianity… …   Glossary of theological terms

  • APOLOGETICS —    the reasoned defence of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION against INTELLECTUAL objections, and attempts to establish certain elements of CHRISTIANITY as true or, at least, not demonstrably untrue. Christians appeal to such NEW TESTAMENT verses as 1 Peter …   Concise dictionary of Religion

  • apologetics — noun plural but singular or plural in construction Date: circa 1733 1. systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine) 2. a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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