Before you read this.

Sorry for the previous thread (which has been sent to the Psychiatric Ward ) but I was a bit nervous about opening up about what has been on my mind. (for much too long)

So here it is.....

The bedrock of evangelical Christianity is still, as it has always been, the Bible, and the fate of Christianity is inseperable from the fate of the Bible. We accept, however, the assessement of our American theologians that the evangelical witness has before it today a twofold task, coping with misunderstandings of its positions, and clarifying the implications of its veiwpoints. Conservative theologians must bend their energies and scholarships to this two-fold task in the conviction that though biblical supernaturalness is the historic faith of Christianity and the only theology that can lead to the regeneration of human nature, we are still called upon to 'give a reason for the hope that is in us'

This was the closing paragraph of a book by R.A. Finlayson titled 'The Story of Theology'

However part of the first paragraph of this book, considering that it was written in 1963, has me wondering if we are going around in circles...

'Assailed by philosophical scepticism under Locke and Hume, and the scientific materialism as a product of the hypothesis of Darwin, religion was placed on the defensive as its foundations were crumbling under the weight of new learning.'

Yet, the final quote really made me think of our time...

The reaction was to turn away from philosophical arguments for theistic belief, and lay the foundations of theology in the experience, feelings and moral drives of men. Theology thus took up an anthropological and humanistic starting point.

...it was no longer what God said from without, but what the Christian consciousness said from within.

I have read many arguments, most of them way above my head, but so often this is exactly how they end.

In a desire to 'give a reason for the hope that is in' me, I spent some years studying apologetics. I know the importance of understanding the law of causality and non-contradiction, as well as the importance of the basic reliability of sense perception. I have a basic understanding of the Cosmological, Moral and Design arguments, and know a fair amount about Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Yet I find that with most Atheists, Agnostics etc. the hill is too steep for me to climb. So I just end up testifying and melting into the background. It seems to me that people these days are so filled with arguments, and good ones too, but how does one answer the questions of our time. No one-liners please. If you have some great reads (preferably pdf's or word.docs, I would greatly appreciate that.)

Sincerely,
HH

well apologetics is important to defend the faith against those who attack it. But I have only seen a few cases where a person was argued into believing. Most conversions come because of a crisis in a person's life where they turn to God and find him waiting there.

But once a person believes, apologetics come into play again, as a way to solidify their faith and give it a foundation. Someone without a solid foundation can drift away when their faith is attacked.

Originally posted by Sparko

But once a person believes, apologetics come into play again, as a way to solidify their faith and give it a foundation. Someone without a solid foundation can drift away when their faith is attacked.

This is true, however the arguments against Christian Apologetics are so good these days, that unless your are a professional apologete, you might as well not even bother. Most of it just flies right over the top of my head.

Sincerely,
HH

Originally posted by headheart

This is true, however the arguments against Christian Apologetics are so good these days, that unless your are a professional apologete, you might as well not even bother. Most of it just flies right over the top of my head.

Sincerely,
HH

LOL. Good? Most arguments against Christianity are a complete farce. It is every Christian's duty to defend their faith.

Originally posted by Sparko

Most arguments against Christianity are a complete farce.

Which arguments against Christianity are not a complete farce ?

Sincerely,
HH

Originally posted by headheart

Which arguments against Christianity are not a complete farce ?

Sincerely,
HH

some are put together well, but even those can be refuted with a bit of study. The problem of pain can be well done, but can be refuted pretty readily.

Originally posted by Sparko

some are put together well, but even those can be refuted with a bit of study. The problem of pain can be well done, but can be refuted pretty readily.

So which arguments cannot be refuted ?

Sincerely,
HH

Originally posted by headheart

So which arguments cannot be refuted ?

Sincerely,
HH

none. Christianity is the truth.

Originally posted by headheart

So which arguments cannot be refuted ?

Sincerely,
HH

If there were any that couldn't be refuted, none of us would be here...

Originally posted by Sparko

none.

Not even one ?

Sincerely,
HH

Originally posted by Sparko

some are put together well, but even those can be refuted with a bit of study. The problem of pain can be well done, but can be refuted pretty readily.

What's an example of an argument that's put together well?

Originally posted by Pitchforkpat

What's an example of an argument that's put together well?

One that cannot be refuted easily.

Originally posted by headheart

Not even one ?

Sincerely,
HH

I haven't come across one yet.

Originally posted by Pitchforkpat

What's an example of an argument that's put together well?

one that doesn't depend on straw man arguments and ad homs. I guess that leaves you out.

Originally posted by Pitchforkpat

What's an example of an argument that's put together well?

In my opinion (for whatevre that's worth) , the different forms of the PoE have been put together well.

Not taking into account that they have been refuted, one thing i think many proponents of the PoE don't take into account when using it to try to defeat Christianity, is that they seldom have an answer for it, to justify their own worldview.

Originally posted by headheart

Which arguments against Christianity are not a complete farce ?

Sincerely,
HH

Mine.