Learning apologetics - learning what u guys know

Hello,

The ESV Study Bible, The Reformation Study Bible and the MacArthur Study Bible are three books I'd recommend as a basis at expanding on Scripture itself. This may seem arbitrary or redundant, but ultimately the first step of apologetics is understanding the material far beyond the surface level, and the better you understand it, the better you can defend it.

Beyond those, I'd recommend looking in to systematic theology as this will again help develop your Biblical knowledge as well as developing what is ultimately quite an academic approach when you arrive at apologetics.

So far as apologetics itself is concerned, Cornelius Van Til's books are very good, but they're also very heavy reading. They're featured in graduate and postgraduate study in many Reformed seminaries' programmes and for good reason, but the fact they're featured in them is a testament to their difficulty in navigating at times. Needless to say, they aren't bedtime reading.

There's also a Lutheran study bible that's quite highly recommended too but I forget the name of it.

jsteel said:

good evening all. I have been reading the forums for a week or so and I am blown away by the depth of knowledge a lot of people have here. I am no where close to that but would love to learn. Can anyone give me suggestions on what people study besides the Bible to get that awesome? I do know that some are pastors so they have degrees in theology maybe even masters degrees. I am thinking about getting my masters in theological research.

Last year I was in a coma for a while and because of memory loss I can no longer do my job in systems management so I kind of have to start over. I actually died three times and the doctors say that I am a medical mirical. Everyone I tell the full story to also says God kept me alive for a reason, I just have to figure out what that is. To me it sucks because computer jobs in Austin pay well and I have not worked for a year and no matter what people tell you poverty sucks haha. I would love to get my masters in Theology but have no clue hoe I would pay for it and since I'm still recovering so it would be part time.

So to het back I would love to do apologetics and a good place to learn the trade seems to be in debates on forums. Now I just have to re learn the Bible and then work on reading other authors I can quote. I also thought of listening to debates on youtube.

If anyone wants to learn more about my coma email me at

At least I still knew my wife and that I love being a chistian and studying theology but a lot that I studied over the years is gone.

Theologypimp at gmail dot com

Michael D.
Lutheran LCMS
Austin Tx

Click to expand...

When it comes to "knowledge", the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.. (Proverbs 9:10). Being that you "died" three times, one would think to put that into perspective for instruction, as this will undoubtedly be your testimony. Apologetics has to do with your own personal beliefs. Not mine, or his or hers or theirs. Yours. More or less defending your own personal faith. I can quote people all day, their commentaries, near death accidents, hang-gliding disasters, and any number of a list of things that goes on for centuries. You have to find your own "spot". Your own platform to speak from, that being your testimony. Maybe that's why you "lost" all memory of certain things concerning apologetics of a sort. So that God could use you to speak a real truth and not a bunch of garbled mess which you may or may not be spewing. After all, God does things for our good and his good. He might have been reworking your mind a bit to glorify him a bit better. To give you a more intimate knowledge of what real "knowledge" is about. It's not about commentaries, and all this nonsense about impending pimpness and your own satisfaction. It's about his glory, his kingdom, and his son Jesus Christ. God wants you to relearn what it means to have a relationship with him. He must be giving you a second chance to do something you didn't do that you were called to do. We are called to worship him in spirit and truth. Though after posting this I just realized this thread is particular to Lutheran, which I apologize for intrusion, but the material and content of the thread isn't denomination specific and I felt the answer suits your goals and may help you. Keep reading your bible. It will teach you more than anything else. Re-familiarize yourself with it.

Apologetics generally falls into two catagories, messianic prophecy and the credibility of Scripture. Evidential apologetics is interest but requires a lot of extra biblical reading

Lutheran Historian and Pastor Paul Maier is a very good apologist in terms of history and archeology. Try listening to some of his lectures. Also, his book In the Fullness of Time and historical novels Pontius Pilate and The Flames of Rome are both very good.

There's a book online, rather short but a classic. Testimony of the evangelists. Written by an important law professor who literally wrote the book on evidence in the courts. Its very comprehensive and well written

jsteel said:

good evening all. I have been reading the forums for a week or so and I am blown away by the depth of knowledge a lot of people have here. I am no where close to that but would love to learn. Can anyone give me suggestions on what people study besides the Bible to get that awesome? I do know that some are pastors so they have degrees in theology maybe even masters degrees. I am thinking about getting my masters in theological research.

Last year I was in a coma for a while and because of memory loss I can no longer do my job in systems management so I kind of have to start over. I actually died three times and the doctors say that I am a medical mirical. Everyone I tell the full story to also says God kept me alive for a reason, I just have to figure out what that is. To me it sucks because computer jobs in Austin pay well and I have not worked for a year and no matter what people tell you poverty sucks haha. I would love to get my masters in Theology but have no clue hoe I would pay for it and since I'm still recovering so it would be part time.

So to het back I would love to do apologetics and a good place to learn the trade seems to be in debates on forums. Now I just have to re learn the Bible and then work on reading other authors I can quote. I also thought of listening to debates on youtube.

If anyone wants to learn more about my coma email me at

At least I still knew my wife and that I love being a chistian and studying theology but a lot that I studied over the years is gone.

Theologypimp at gmail dot com

Michael D.
Lutheran LCMS
Austin Tx

Click to expand...

What an awesome story you have. Imagine so few years ago, in society time, a coma lasted 3 days till you dehydrated. I suggest to go for WHAT EVER career you can imagine yourself in. The funding will show up the harder you strive to your goal. If you ask, I guarantee God will be with your every step of your journey.

jsteel said:

good evening all. I have been reading the forums for a week or so and I am blown away by the depth of knowledge a lot of people have here. I am no where close to that but would love to learn. Can anyone give me suggestions on what people study besides the Bible to get that awesome? I do know that some are pastors so they have degrees in theology maybe even masters degrees. I am thinking about getting my masters in theological research.

Last year I was in a coma for a while and because of memory loss I can no longer do my job in systems management so I kind of have to start over. I actually died three times and the doctors say that I am a medical mirical. Everyone I tell the full story to also says God kept me alive for a reason, I just have to figure out what that is. To me it sucks because computer jobs in Austin pay well and I have not worked for a year and no matter what people tell you poverty sucks haha. I would love to get my masters in Theology but have no clue hoe I would pay for it and since I'm still recovering so it would be part time.

So to het back I would love to do apologetics and a good place to learn the trade seems to be in debates on forums. Now I just have to re learn the Bible and then work on reading other authors I can quote. I also thought of listening to debates on youtube.

If anyone wants to learn more about my coma email me at

At least I still knew my wife and that I love being a chistian and studying theology but a lot that I studied over the years is gone.

Theologypimp at gmail dot com

Michael D.
Lutheran LCMS
Austin Tx

Click to expand...

***
“medical mirical” praise God! May He continue working miricals in you.

I Re-reviewed the definition


Definition of apologetics

1 : systematic argumentative discourse (see 1discourse 2a) in defense (as of a doctrine)
2 : a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity

No better “defense” than the Bible itself. What is the Holy Spirit bringing to your mind? Study those things topically …. here is a really good website (free) www.biblehub.com that has a lot of “tools” to run searches on words, many translations, has concordances to get back to the original Hebrew and/or Greek Search the entire bible with just a few clicks.

A lot of historical and theological info at Wikipedia - a lot!
www.wikipedia.org

Revisit the Reformation and the Counter Reformation

With the internet one has the world of knowledge at their feet. Why pay for something?

2nd Timothy 3

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

John 14

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

When studying Gods Word, always pray first for Him to send you the Holy Spirit for understanding.

May God Bless you abundantly.

Since exposing yourself to the clever arguments against faith is like swimming with sharks (or more dangerous), you need the (only) foundation that withstands -- what our Lord said is necessary in Matthew 7:24-27.

To go without that He said will result in destruction.

To become good at either defending the word (apologetics) or conveying the Good News is to read through the gospels and epistles taking your time, so that you have good background to asses any other book or source you see well. They are of course the most essential to know in order to explain them. But better is those huge benefits we get from hearing the word. As you read in the gospels, you are hearing the actual words of Christ to us, words that He says will last forever, even after this current heaven and Earth pass away. Because He is speaking to us, the only good way to hear Him is full listening, so leave any commentary aside until after you read. Often His words won't need any kind of extra help to be clear. Often they can be challenging, because we don't necessarily want to forgive someone who has hurt us to the level of forgiving "from your heart" as He tells us, or we may not want to "love your enemy". What's needed then isn't a commentary, but instead prayer, communion, faith. Sometimes will a commentary can help, with some parables for instance, and we need to remember a commentary isn't necessarily inspired. But first, always, is to truly listen and let His word affect you and teach you, speaking to your heart.

Since the Bible won't be accepted as a source of knowledge by non-Christians it is not a resource that will compel belief. Perhaps an exception would be he category of fulfilled prophecy.

For engaging non-believers I have benefitted from Www.reasonablefaith.org

jsteel said:

good evening all. I have been reading the forums for a week or so and I am blown away by the depth of knowledge a lot of people have here. I am no where close to that but would love to learn. Can anyone give me suggestions on what people study besides the Bible to get that awesome? I do know that some are pastors so they have degrees in theology maybe even masters degrees. I am thinking about getting my masters in theological research.

Last year I was in a coma for a while and because of memory loss I can no longer do my job in systems management so I kind of have to start over. I actually died three times and the doctors say that I am a medical mirical. Everyone I tell the full story to also says God kept me alive for a reason, I just have to figure out what that is. To me it sucks because computer jobs in Austin pay well and I have not worked for a year and no matter what people tell you poverty sucks haha. I would love to get my masters in Theology but have no clue hoe I would pay for it and since I'm still recovering so it would be part time.

So to het back I would love to do apologetics and a good place to learn the trade seems to be in debates on forums. Now I just have to re learn the Bible and then work on reading other authors I can quote. I also thought of listening to debates on youtube.

If anyone wants to learn more about my coma email me at

At least I still knew my wife and that I love being a chistian and studying theology but a lot that I studied over the years is gone.

Theologypimp at gmail dot com

Michael D.
Lutheran LCMS
Austin Tx

Click to expand...

Brother Michael! I'm not a Lutheran, but would like to be of help, however small. I am only a layman, an armchair theologian, with only a couple years spent at a general college so far as formal education goes. However, I spent several years studying apologetics and philosophy through online discussion and debates, books, audio lectures and debates. So I thought I might be able to bring something helpful to the table for you.

One of the best introductions to Apologetics that I've ever come across is a book entitled "Faith Has Its Reasons: An Integrative Approach to Defending the Christian Faith" I have no clue which denomination(s) the authors identify with or nearest to, but I do know for me personally, it is one of the most helpful as far as learning about apologetics is concerned. Among other things, it's a "who's who" in apologetics, and the authors are graceful in explaining each method or approach to doing apologetics. There is much to be learned and appreciated from this book.

At the same time and just as helpful to engaging other minds is a solid introduction to philosophy. I strongly believe it is wise to stick with philosophy from a Christian perspective. Only later after becoming familiar with the basics, would I ever recommend reading from primary sources in secular philosophy. Although I have a number of issues with so many writers of philosophy from a Christian perspective, much can be gleaned from their writings, so I consider their works a step above secular authors on the same topic. I feel hesitation to mention these names, but it is what is, Norman Geisler wrote an introduction to philosophy, William Lane Craig and JP Moreland co-authored a fine book on philosophy, there are others but those are the two paper sources that spring to mind. Those authors are not what I would call, "friendly" to Calvinism, so I have a bias, that I did not have in the past while first learning apologetics and philosophy.

I could offer additional help if desired, but for now will leave it where it is.