Apologetics
Apologetics is the study of what makes a certain doctrine, or system of belief correct, and all others that are not in agreement incorrect, (or to be more blunt – wrong). Apologetics then, necessarily points out the errors that exist in other doctrines. Whether we like it or not, this is inescapable.
It is just as inescapable that apologetics points out what is correct about the doctrine it is defending. In this way, the discipline of apologetics is an excellent tool for both learning doctrine, and teaching it. However, that is not what happens with many that engage in apologetics. To them, apologetics is a legitimized way to lambast something they do not like – and say they are doing it all “for the Lord.”
In the Scripture, the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy that he was to behave in the following manner:
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. (Acts 6:8-10)
Thus, the authority for biblical apologetics comes from Scripture itself:
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3)
In Christ,
Paul W. Davis
Freethinkers & Atheists | Liberals & Catholics | Calvinist/Reformed Doctrine |
Bible Contradictions? | Fundamentalism | Scriptural Support? |
Part I | Were the Pharisees Fundamentalists? | Ephesians 1:3-6 (King James Version) |
Part II | ||
Specific Issues | The church | Postmodernism |
Shall We Keep the Sabbath? | Believing the Bible | Matthew 25:31-46 a Parable? |
Shall We Call People Names? | Religious Holidays | Radical Errors – Galatians 3:28 |
Who was Joseph’s Father? | ||
Should We Tell Lies? | ||
The Everyone Test | ||
Mormonism
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Islam
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Sodomites
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That Men Might Have Joy? | Proving the Point | An Open Letter to Matthew Vines |
Quranic Conundrums |