Lecture: 5-1-02, Wednesday
Christian Beginnings
By Tom Kamimura

Assigned readings:
Bromberg (The real Jesus Book) by Friday, 5/3/02
Borg by Monday, 5/06/02

Miller-former fundamental Catholic.

Apologetics-defending a point of view
Apologia-a Greek word meaning defense in court
Christian Apologetics- defending the Christian faith against the skeptics. Providing a rational foundation for believers. Try to prove Christianity is the truth.

Example apologetics.
Conservatives say you should believe in Christianity because it’s true.
Liberals will say all religions have some truth. Christianity is no more than the others, truth is relative or subjective.

Apologist: a person who engage in apologetics.

Did Jesus or the early church embraced the concept of apologetics?
Jesus says to make disciples to all nations.
1 Peter 3:15-be ready always to give a defense (apologia) to anyone who asks for reason of the hope within you.
John 14:6- I am the way, the truth, and the light- no one gets to the Father except through me.
Acts-early disciples “reasoned from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.”

Counter arguments to skeptics: Gospel say the Pharisees bribed guards at tomb, started a rumor that disciples stole the body.

Miller’s point of view about Apologetics: “Preaching to the choir” meaning only insiders are convinced. Rarely convinces anyone (outsiders).

Counter Examples:
C.S. Lewis, Walter Martin, Craig, Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell.
They all started as Skeptics and from Apologetics they converted to Christianity

To the counter examples above, Miller will state, “Converts are visible but few, meaning they standout.”