Apologetics
Thursday, 9:30-1
9 sessions - ends May 30
One of my very favorite things in life is to study and teach Apologetics. The word "apologetics" is from 1 Peter 3:15, which reads:
"... in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..."
The English words "to give an answer" translate the biblical word apologian.
ἀπολογία,n \{ap-ol-og-ee'-ah}[Scroll over and click on the word to see the definition.]
1) verbal defence, speech in defence 2) a reasoned statement or argument
Students will receive a copy of my friend Bill Craig's book On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision. Topics we will likely cover include:
- Introduction to Apologetics; focus on Acts 17:16-32
- What Difference Does it Make if God exists?
- Why Does Anything at All Exist?
- Why Did the Universe Begin? (The Kalam Cosmological Argument for God's Existence)
- Why Is the Universe Fine-tuned for Life? (The Fine-Tuning Argument for God's Existence?
- Can We Be Good Without God? (The Moral Argument for God's Existence)
- What About Suffering? (The Argument from Evil, used against the existence of God)
- Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?
- Is Jesus the Only Way to God?
- What About Other Religions? (Especially Islam - we'll take a trip to the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn and be hosted by my friend Eide Alawan. The ICOFA is the beating heart of Islam in America.)
And more... as the discussion goes.
This Thursday I will introduce, among other things, basic terms of theistic and atheistic worldviews.
If you are interested either call the Redeemer office (734-242-5277) or e-mail me (johnpiippo@msn.com).
