Today's discussion: Miller pg.77
Friday's discussion 5/3: Blomberg pg.99
Monday's discussion 5/6: Borg pg.117

Miller article:
What is apologetics?
-defending a point of view, especially a religion(most commonly Christianity.

Christian apologetics-defending the Christian faith against skeptics, and providing a rational foundation for believers. They try to prove Christianity is true.

Why believe in Christianity, rather than other religions?
Conservatives:you should believe in Christianity because it's true!
Some Liberals say:all religions have some truth, Christianity no more than others. Truth is relative or subjective.

Apologist-a person who engages in apologetics.

Did Jesus or the early church embrace the concept of apologetics? (apologia-greek defense in court, e.g.The Apology of Socrates.)
-Jesus says to "make disciples of all nations." 1 Peter 3:15-be ready always to give a defense(apologia) to anyone who asks you for the reason of the hope within you.

John 14:6- "I am the way, the Truth, and the Life-no one gets to the Father(God) except through me."

Acts- early disciples "argued from the scriptures, that Jesus was the Messiah."

Counter arguments to skeptics:Gospels(Matthew) say the Pharisees bribed guards at tomb, started rumor that the disciples stole his body.

References to empty tomb: Paul's statement is that without the Ressurection, Christians are pathetic.

Miller on Apologetics:
-Apologetics is "preaching to the choir." It rarely convinces anyone. Converts are visible, but few.
-counter examples:C.S.Lewis
Walter Martin
Craig
Lee Strobel
Josh McDowell
Simon Greenleaf-famous jurist who used legal evidence to examine the ressurection.