tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post8906022502264464802..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: Open mike: apologetics questionsPhil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-7096518401203462042007-06-04T07:49:00.000-07:002007-06-04T07:49:00.000-07:00Gummby—decided to answer your questions HERE.<B>Gummby</B>—decided to answer your questions <A HREF="http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2007/06/how-im-modified-van-tilian.html" REL="nofollow">HERE</A>.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-45241772186284348672007-06-03T13:47:00.000-07:002007-06-03T13:47:00.000-07:00For those who like me didn't know too much about "...For those who like me didn't know too much about "apologeticology," Phil Johnson's GraceLife sermon of April 15th (<I>What You Need to Know About Answering Atheists</I>) gives a good layperson's introduction to apologetics and to the difference between evidential and presuppositional apologetics. (<A HREF="http://www.swordandtrowel.org/philsermons.htm" REL="nofollow">Link</A>)<BR/><BR/>P.S.: Thanks to any and all who prayed for my pastor this weekend.Stefan Ewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530690016594029847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-73332025987331493562007-06-02T19:11:00.000-07:002007-06-02T19:11:00.000-07:001. What would you recommend as a text on apologeti...1. What would you recommend as a text on apologetics, and why?<BR/><BR/>I don't think I would recommend a test on apologetics as much as I would just recommend certain authors like MacArthur, Schaeffer, Sproul, Piper ...<BR/><BR/> 2. Can you recommend a text on apologetics specifically for use by teenagers? (Explain your choice.)<BR/><BR/>Depends on the teenager, but for me it was Francis Schaeffer. I understood maybe 10 percent of what I was reading, but I understood enough to know that it was important and that I didn't know much. It made me want to know more though. The person who gave it to me challenged me with material I thought was beyond me and that was just what I needed.<BR/><BR/> 3. What book would you put directly in the hands of an unbeliever to make the case for Christ, and why?<BR/><BR/>The Word of God, the Word of God, and the Word of God. Nothing, nothing , nothing is able to change hearts like the Word of God. For me it was "Good News for Modern Man."JackWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16384160992033491748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-7138133874324690582007-06-02T18:14:00.000-07:002007-06-02T18:14:00.000-07:00Oh, sorry, I should have said why. I don't have it...Oh, sorry, I should have said why. I don't have it to hand, so can't go into detail, but Clouser is a professional philosopher who is influenced by Dooyeweerd (as was van Til) and the book is short and written in the form of a dialogue.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13789950523908306139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-79154283516223263822007-06-02T17:57:00.000-07:002007-06-02T17:57:00.000-07:00As far as a book on apologetic method, one of the ...As far as a book on apologetic method, one of the books that has affected the way I do apologetics the most simply because of the way he does it throughout the book is...<BR/><BR/>1. James Sire's, The Universe Next Door.<BR/><BR/>For teaching youth I have taught the following book to two separate youth groups.<BR/><BR/>2. Josh McDowell's, More than a carpenter.<BR/><BR/>The reason I use it is because it is small enough that many of them will actually read it. It is more evidential in its approach, but it is a good starting point to get them thinking about the topic and then I teach them about presuppositions.<BR/><BR/>For a book to put into the hands of a non-believer it will have to depend on where they are coming from. If they are a naturalist, I like...<BR/><BR/>3. Ravi Zacharias' the real face of Atheism. <BR/><BR/>And even though I seem to be in more of a Van Tilian arena, here are two other books (carefully submitted):-) that have influenced my apologetic method and understanding. <BR/><BR/>1. Gordon Clark's, Religion, Reason and Revelation.<BR/><BR/>and 2. Ronald Nash's, Faith and Reason.<BR/><BR/>God Bless and thanks for producing such a great blog.<BR/><BR/>DougDoug E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06500435045148530492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-14880139980153375592007-06-02T17:08:00.000-07:002007-06-02T17:08:00.000-07:00Have you read Roy Clouser's Knowing With The Heart...Have you read Roy Clouser's Knowing With The Heart? (Not his choice of title, but that's what it ended up!) <BR/><BR/>(Also, since someone mentioned logic, he gives a defence of the Amsterdam position on the transcendence of God & logic in The Myth of Religious Neutrality).Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13789950523908306139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-16153301288004892722007-06-02T14:28:00.000-07:002007-06-02T14:28:00.000-07:00"Can you recommend a text on apologetics specifica..."Can you recommend a text on apologetics specifically for use by teenagers? (Explain your choice."<BR/><BR/>Let's see, thirty years as a youth pastor, and one who loves to read Christians books, I discovered teenagers do not like to read books. But what Christian teens would do, would be to read the Bible if giving a challenge. <BR/><BR/>Giving a book to a unbeliever about Christianity never occured to me. I have never seen (personally) a unbeliever become a believer by reading a Christian book. <BR/><BR/>I have personally loved reading many of the books mention here in this thread. And they are very good in the matter of salvation and Christianity. But have never given one to an unbeliever to read.<BR/><BR/>CharlesCharles e. Whisnanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08110548370691986584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-80558889343113270992007-06-02T09:13:00.000-07:002007-06-02T09:13:00.000-07:00DJP: what do you see as the connection between apo...DJP: what do you see as the connection between apologetics and evangelism? How are they related?<BR/><BR/>Also, would you mind sharing (or pointing to it if you've already talked about it) what you've modified about your van Tilianism? Thanks.Matt Gummhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14698469400042045105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-52220087354403444152007-06-02T07:48:00.000-07:002007-06-02T07:48:00.000-07:00I see that "Tell the Truth" by Will Metzger was no...I see that "Tell the Truth" by Will Metzger was not mentioned. From what I remember, it is a good book to go through with someone who is new/questioning the faith.Haydenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01256518337951573331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-62583039689335458562007-06-02T04:39:00.000-07:002007-06-02T04:39:00.000-07:00Can you recommend a text on apologetics specifical...<I>Can you recommend a text on apologetics specifically for use by teenagers? (Explain your choice.)</I><BR/><BR/>Some which come to mind:<BR/><BR/>General<BR/>* Without a Doubt by Ken Samples<BR/>* A Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig<BR/>* Apologetics to the Glory of God by John Frame<BR/><BR/>Historical<BR/>* The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? by F.F. Bruce<BR/>* Reinventing Jesus by Ed Komoszwski, et al.<BR/>* Jesus and the Gospels by Craig Blomberg<BR/>* From Pentecost to Patmos by Craig Blomberg<BR/><BR/>Philosophical<BR/>* Reason for the Hope Within by Michael Murray (ed.)<BR/><BR/>Scientific<BR/>* Redeeming Science by Vern Poythress<BR/><BR/>Theological<BR/>* The Beginnings by Paul Helm<BR/>* The Callings by Paul Helm<BR/>* The Last Things by Paul Helm<BR/><BR/>Biblical theology<BR/>* The Servant King by Desmond Alexander<BR/><BR/><I>What book would you put directly in the hands of an unbeliever to make the case for Christ, and why?</I><BR/><BR/>Hm, that's really tough to say. I would think it'd primarily depend on the unbeliever. So it's best determined case by case.<BR/><BR/>Speaking generally, maybe a work of fiction like The Pilgrim's Progress, something more biographical like an Iain Murray book or The Confessions of St. Augustine, or perhaps even a Charles Spurgeon sermon might be more suitable than a book like, say, Mere Christianity.<BR/><BR/>BTW, one reason I say this is not because Mere Christianity is theologically unsound, per se, but rather because in my experience I've found Mere Christianity is almost too well-known among unbelievers these days, and they'll simply dismiss it out of hand. Or they'll come with a certain preconceived notion of who C.S. Lewis is and what he's like, which will then essentially color (negatively) their thoughts on the book. Of course, this could cut both ways and have positive effects, too. But, again, in my experience, it's made more negative impressions than positive ones on unbelievers. Still, I don't know, perhaps my experiences are in the vast minority.<BR/><BR/>For something more generic, Basic Christianity by John Stott, The Long Journey Home by Os Guinness, a popular John Piper or R.C. Sproul book, or possibly even Knowing God by J.I. Packer might be beneficial for the unbeliever (not to mention the believer).<BR/><BR/>And, of course, pray for them, because w/o God's grace, we're all undone. But I'm sure that goes without saying. :-)Patrick Chanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16095377877712197984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-69498854802207963682007-06-01T23:00:00.000-07:002007-06-01T23:00:00.000-07:00I don't quite know how to comment on this, other t...I don't quite know how to comment on this, other than to say I am in an apologetics ministry. We can all cite our heroes from Francis Schaeffer, to Walter Martin, to Van Til, to Boa, etc. We have presuppositional apologetics, who attack evidentialist apologetics, who attack presuppositional yada yada. <BR/><BR/>I personally find room for both evidential AND presuppositional apologetics. The Holy Spirit works through both. I don't think one has to be violently opposed to the other, and has to treat each other like the proverbial redheaded stepchild. The energy spent between the two camps spitting at each other could be better spent at Mars Hill. And I don't mean the Emergent Mars Hill either.Solameaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09869424956571944997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-2453496489209978742007-06-01T22:45:00.000-07:002007-06-01T22:45:00.000-07:00Here's my recommendations they're pretty well roun...Here's my recommendations they're pretty well rounded books.<BR/>1. Faith Has It's Reasons which Ken Boa helped write, it's wonderful integrative book on apologetics.<BR/>2. I would recommend for teenagers Paul Copan's How do you Know your not wrong, it provides a good basis for dealing with common objections against Christianity.<BR/>3. For a nonChristian I'd recommend both Mere Christianity and Orthodoxy.<BR/><BR/>Just for the record I am a presuppositionalist, I've just seen the helpfulness of other works as well in approaching apologetics.Steven Dresenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04435841478049142586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-75902683431364300322007-06-01T20:24:00.000-07:002007-06-01T20:24:00.000-07:00I found Ultimate Questions by John Blanchard to be...I found <A HREF="http://www.gracereformedbaptistchurch.com/ultimate_questions.htm" REL="nofollow">Ultimate Questions</A> by John Blanchard to be helpful. It is available as a 32-page booklet from various sources.Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09814781552883983901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-12260804200534609282007-06-01T19:54:00.000-07:002007-06-01T19:54:00.000-07:00When asked about "positive apologetics," Van Til s...When asked about "positive apologetics," Van Til said that he left that to his coleeges and predecessors (like Machen, Murray, Warfield, and Hodge) because they were doing it (and did it) far better than he could. <BR/><BR/>It seems that Van Til thought they were the positive to his negative. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to start with them in conjunction with Van Tilc as good texts on apologetics.M.W.C. Barkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12632726208526750861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-23671183619626545072007-06-01T19:36:00.000-07:002007-06-01T19:36:00.000-07:00The Book of Romans? =PDefinitely not something to ...The Book of Romans? =P<BR/><BR/>Definitely not something to ease your next-door neighbour into.<BR/><BR/>Please forgive me for this totally off-topic request, but if anyone prayed for my pastor last week, thank you and please pray for him again as he finishes his pair of sermons on 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. He's a complementarian, Reformed expositor bearing full and honest witness to the Word of God in a city full of me-first hedonists, so he needs all the support he can get. (I might as well let the cat out of the bag. If any of you were in Vancouver for the Piper/Packer/Driscoll Refocus conference in mid-April, then you've heard him speak.)<BR/><BR/>Anyhow, he got the theological basics covered last weekend; this weekend, he's tackling head coverings.<BR/><BR/>Have a good weekend, everyone!Stefan Ewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530690016594029847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-62042657623882863042007-06-01T15:41:00.000-07:002007-06-01T15:41:00.000-07:001. Brian H. Edwards' Nothing But the Truth is a ve...1. Brian H. Edwards' <A HREF="http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Nothing-But-the-Truth,4572,224.aspx" REL="nofollow">Nothing But the Truth</A> is a very solid text on systematic theology, canon and apologetics. It's really long, but a solid text which I say would function for an undergraduate introductory text to general apologetics.<BR/><BR/>3. I've heard good things about Mark Cahill's <A HREF="http://www.markcahill.org/resource.html" REL="nofollow">One Heartbeat Away</A> (as was mentioned by adiel), though I myself haven't read it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-5424324683203807212007-06-01T15:32:00.000-07:002007-06-01T15:32:00.000-07:00Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faithht...Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith<BR/><BR/>http://www.amazon.com/Always-Ready-Directions-Defending-Faith/dp/0915815281/ref=cm_lmf_tit_2/104-9665589-2015119Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07663172217615993100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-8515296673531963802007-06-01T14:42:00.000-07:002007-06-01T14:42:00.000-07:00Dan,If you get Pratt's book, be sure to avoid the ...Dan,<BR/><BR/>If you get Pratt's book, be sure to avoid the nonsense on page 25. Pratt says:<BR/><BR/>"Although in Scripture God does stoop low and reveal Himself in terms of creaturely reason, logic, as we know it, is not above or equal to God, <B>nor it is a part of God's being</B>. Logic, even in its most refined and sophisticated forms, <B>is within the sphere of creation and a quality of man as the image of God, not God Himself</B>.<BR/><BR/>Because <B>logic is a part of creation</B>, it has limitations. To begin with, logic is a changing and developing system. In fact, there are several systems of logic which are at points in conflict with each other. There is even no definition of "contradiction" that is universally accepted. Besides this, even if all men could agree on one system of reasoning, human logic could not be used as the judge of truth and falsehood. Christianity is at points reasonable and logical but logic meets the end of its ability when it comes to matters like the incarnation of Christ, and the doctrine of the Trinity. Logic is not God and it should never be given the honor due to God alone. Truth is found at the judgment seat of God, not the court of logic."<BR/><BR/><I>Every Thought Captive</I> (P&R, 1979), p. 25.<BR/><BR/>This is Pratt at his worst. Frame and Bahnsen (presuppositionalists) are right to view logic as an essential property of God. No one claims that logic is God (Pratt's straw man), but some view it as the eternal pattern of God's self-consistent thinking, i.e. it is not something created and only applicable to the created order. For more on this, see Ron Nash's <I>The Word of God and the Mind of Man</I>. Needless to say, men like Sproul and Gerstner (classical apologists) would also take issue with what Pratt is saying above.<BR/><BR/>I read chapter 6 of Nash's book to put in audio form and it's available on Radio Apologia, or linked on my site here:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://theologicalmeditations.blogspot.com/2005/07/few-nash-readings.html" REL="nofollow">A Few Nash Readings</A>Tony Byrnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02102293843397809802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-73000886334023998402007-06-01T14:09:00.000-07:002007-06-01T14:09:00.000-07:00Herman Schlossberg's "Idols for Destruction" is a ...Herman Schlossberg's "Idols for Destruction" is a great introduction to worldviews, and would complement a book like Schaefer's "How Shall We Then Live?" quite nicely.<BR/><BR/>Also, I second the nomination of Leithart's "Against Christianity," if you can avoid flaming-on over the title...which some apparently can't (John Robbins, for example.)<BR/><BR/>My own typical youth group questions:<BR/><BR/>Does God love the devil?<BR/><BR/>Can you go to heaven if you commit suicide?<BR/><BR/>Who would win in a fight between Moses and Jesus?Gordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14527530618839981892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-28018329214019708692007-06-01T13:55:00.000-07:002007-06-01T13:55:00.000-07:00Unless I missed it, no one mentioned Bahnsen's "Al...Unless I missed it, no one mentioned Bahnsen's "Always ready." So that's my pick :-)<BR/><BR/>For teens, I would say "The Lie: evolution" by Ken Ham. This isn't just a book about evolution. Its about worldviews and showing us how to challenge unbelievers' presuppositions. Probably the easiest to understand and most effective book I know of.Mike Felkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01974482615713418707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-59434666763522018812007-06-01T13:38:00.000-07:002007-06-01T13:38:00.000-07:00Frank:If you want marching orders, I say give a bo...Frank:<BR/><BR/><I>If you want marching orders, I say give a book only if you will read it with them.</I><BR/><BR/>That sounds like a reasonable set of marching orders.<BR/><BR/>You have the heart of a homeschool dad, Frank.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02288648996304246570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-10892781771407726972007-06-01T13:31:00.000-07:002007-06-01T13:31:00.000-07:00Oops, sorry for not being complete, but I'm a bit ...Oops, sorry for not being complete, but I'm a bit pressed right now.<BR/><BR/>Pratts book is in plain laymans language while being full of Scripture. He not only systematically tears down any reliance we may have on our own ability to reason, he also clearly shows our need to rely upon every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.<BR/><BR/>He has some very good scenarios to put things in perspective, and it is all specifically geared towards high school people. Which I think makes it very suitable for adults who are not into fifty cent words and theological wrangling also.<BR/><BR/>I could say much more, but I gotta go.LeeChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05540608568274871363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-3167475656169929172007-06-01T13:27:00.000-07:002007-06-01T13:27:00.000-07:00I too put my endorsment for Richard Pratts "Every ...I too put my endorsment for Richard Pratts "Every Thought Captive"<BR/><BR/>I cannot reccomend it enough Dan. I just finished leading a study through it in fact.LeeChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05540608568274871363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-41118788462722723332007-06-01T13:07:00.000-07:002007-06-01T13:07:00.000-07:00About a year ago I was sharing reasons to believe ...About a year ago I was sharing reasons to believe in Christ with a dear woman in her 70's (who, I'm delighted to report, just professed faith in Christ and joined our church this month!). She knew that I had just coauthored a book defending the authenticity of the New Testament and its claims about Jesus, and she wanted to read it. I told her that I thought it may not be the best starting point for her, since it was written for folks who had progressed beyond purely popular works. But she insisted, so I gave her a copy of the book. A week later she was asking if she could watch the DVD of the seminar instead! <BR/><BR/>I decided to give her some simpler, though no less intellectually responsible, texts. The best of those, in my opinion, was <I>20 Compelling Evidences That God Exists: Discover Why Believing in God Makes So Much Sense</I> by Kenneth D. Boa and Robert M. Bowman Jr. The book is sweeping, simple, and satisfying. Unfortunately, it has flown under the radar due to (as far as I can tell) lackluster marketing. But it's now available in paperback and makes a great "leave-behind" for those to whom you're witnessing.J. Ed Komoszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18111893389217932360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-75417808001347645632007-06-01T12:46:00.000-07:002007-06-01T12:46:00.000-07:00Incidentally, the Boa and Bowman material can be f...Incidentally, the Boa and Bowman material can be found online for free:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.bible.org/series.php?series_id=190" REL="nofollow">Series Title: Faith Has Its Reasons</A>Tony Byrnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02102293843397809802noreply@blogger.com