Bible Study Απολογία

 

Απολογία

Apologetics may be simply defined as the defense of the Christian faith. The simplicity of this definition, however, masks the complexity of the problem of defining apologetics. It turns out that a diversity of approaches has been taken to defining the meaning, scope, and purpose of apologetics.

I have a website at Www.ScriptureAnalysis.com that has a plethora of resources I have gone through that you can use as a repository of select information.  The site is somewhat disorganized yet contains over 50GB of data including complete bible translations and textual critical books.

I once had a debate with a physics writer who was writing a book on metaphors and how they relate to existence.  We discussed the existence of GOD which he flatly denied.   He referred to NATURE with reverence as this omni-potent intelligent force that through natural selection, everything evolves from including the quantum physical world to the macro-cosmological.  I responded that it sounds a lot like God to me.   He had no reply.

Below are several categories to review which I have discussed in the past.  After finding the leaders in the apologetics field and watching them debate, I could quickly construct a viable defense without much-time-consuming research.  Best see the forest first before getting into the trees.

I have listed a few names, resources, and videos to gain perspective in this field.

Justyn martyr

One of many apologists of the early centuries.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm

 

 

Science

Cosmology

Everything in creation of our 4-dimensional space/time is linked to the laws of physics.  Without creative design, no algorithm can spontaneously mutate to handle the vast exact calculations that would evolve elementary particles – atoms – molecules – stars – planets – galaxies, etc.…  Everything is connected and has purpose.  Everything has a beginning and end.       

John Lennox

William Lane Craig

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CulBuMCLg0

Biology

When one extrapolates DNA permutations of the helix’s sequence coding, the number reaches 10 to the 197th power which even if natural selection was functioning, the Universe would have to be hundreds of trillions of years old, which is not the case.   The end of space from our vantage point is around 13.8 Billion years old.

There is no evidence of evolution, especially in the pre-Cambrian of 530 million years ago.  No fossil record exists before the Cambrian explosion of life.        

Stephen Meyer

Physics

My approach in this area is the discussion of the laws of physics and their synergistic relationship to each other.   Gravity / Electro Magnetism / Weak Force / Strong Force and include Dark Matter and Dark energy (expansion rate).  Even the Higgs Bosom shows we live in a super symmetrical universe.  Great book on this is Martin Rees “Just Six Numbers.”

Veracity of Scripture

Textual criticism is the research and analysis of biblical manuscripts and translation methodologies.  Critical understanding of the following is fundamental.  I also recommend a good interlinear in both Greek and Hebrew.

Textual Criticism

Dr. James White

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuiayuxWwuI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwe_nxeVwE0 – KJV debate – good review for why we need textual criticism.

Very important pre-face removed with the marginal notes from the KJV in the early 19th century.

http://www.scriptureanalysis.com/preface-to-the-king-james-version-of-1611/

 

Daniel Wallace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVlapUsHxhg

 

Emanuel Tov “Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible”

Tov shows scriptural discrepancies in the Masoretic text and suspect theological censorships.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzdhUkxESVU

Sidnie White Crawford “Rewriting Scripture of the Second Temple Period”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1ViJr07K00

 

Religious

Rabbinical Judaism

Dr. Michael Brown – some of the most comprehensive books and videos that I have reviewed.  Browns series on “Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus” gives you an awareness and plausible defense against the “Counter Missionary Movement” 

Examples of Textual Critical points

  • Exodus 1:5 Acts 7:14
  • Genesis 2:2
  • Genesis 6:2
  • Exodus 3:15
  • Psalms 22:16
  • Deuteronomy 32:8
  • Psalms 82
  • Psalms 151
  • Isaiah 7:14

Jehovah Witness

Great debate on the Deity of Christ, John 1:1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkjBSxm6_UE

Islam

Atheism

Discussion Techniques

  • Stay on topic,  atheist and liberals love to jump from question to question digressing into argument.  First agree that they will allow you to conclude on each point.
    • Intelligent Design
    • Veracity of Scripture
    • Revisionist History 
  • Try not to get into theology,  I have had discussions with Jehovah Witnesses and others where the conversation leads into quoting verses.   With the JW's I have steered the focus to their translation of scripture.   They could not prove their sources and may have realized quilt of theological censorship.  I have found that all translations are in the 99% rate of accuracy, yet, out of 800,000 words in the Protestant bible,  one word or grammatical error can create a new denomination or worst, contradict scripture.

Look for Youtube.com debates with:

  • Richard Dawkins
  • Christopher Hitchens
  • Bart Earhart

Why did academia change B.C./A.D. to BCE/CE ?

Credits

https://danielbwallace.com/

http://crossexamined.org/dr-frank-turek/