Reasons for Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics
Overview
In the light of the threats posed to Christianity by militant Islam, intolerant secularism, and widespread misinformation (The Da Vinci Code, the Jesus Seminar, etc.), the necessity of informed and articulate defense of the Christian faith today can hardly be contested. Reasons for Our Hope offers a sophisticated yet accessible guide to “destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and... taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
The book’s 31 chapters are divided into four sections:
- Apologetics Methodologies and Systems – with chapters on worldviews, the tension between faith and reason, etc.
- Apologetics in Scripture and in History – a look at apologetics in the Old and New Testaments, early church, middle ages, the Reformation, Enlightenment, and today.
- Apologetic Problems – issues such as the value of philosophy, dealing with skepticism, the problem of evil, miracles, the Resurrection, etc.
- How to Use Apologetics in Engaging the World – how to engage the Cultist, Secularist, Postmodernist, Muslim, and Eastern Mystic.
- Discusses introductory questions about apologetic methodology and the foundations of apologetics as an academic and practical discipline
- Explores the history of apologetics in Scripture and in the church
- Addresses specific problems by contemporary apologists for the Christian faith, and provides practical application for the arguments developed throughout the book
Top Highlights
“First, then, the truths of Christianity must be defended from attack by others.” (Page 4)
“Numerous persons in today’s industrialized West, moreover, refuse even to consider whether Christianity might be true because they firmly believe that one cannot be both a Christian and a person of intellectual integrity. Even if Scripture did not mandate rational argument on Christianity’s behalf in passages like 1 Pet 3:15 and Col 4:6, therefore, missiological necessity alone would require contemporary Christians to learn how to defend their faith with reasons. The time is ripe, accordingly, for an up-to-date and comprehensive introduction to apologetics, the art and science of rationally defending the Christian faith.” (Page xiii)
“Second, the claims of others against the truths of Christianity must be shown to be false.” (Page 4)
“The English Word Apologetics is a transliteration, not a translation, of the Greek legal term apologia1 (ἀπολογία), which was used to describe a rational defense of one’s position in a court of law.” (Page 2)
“The ideal definition of ‘miracle,’ at least in theological contexts, may be the following: An event that (a) is manifestly contrary to the ordinary workings of nature, (b) exceeds the capacities of human beings and demons, (c) occurs in a religious context, and (d) attests that the words of one or more persons constitute divine revelation.” (Page 284)
“The book’s real strength lies in its treatment of apologetic methodology and the biblical and historical basis of apologetics. It is a delight to see this book published, and I hope it gets into the hands of those who want to know the reasons for our hope.”
J. P. Moreland, distinguished professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology
“Never before has apologetics been needed more . . . Few contemporary books on the topic are more comprehensive, more systematic, more well documented, and more well illustrated than this one.”
Norman L. Geisler, former professor of Apologetics, Veritas Evangelical Seminary
“Drs. House and Jowers have done a wonderful job at providing, in a single volume, a full-orbed education in the defense of the faith. We haven’t seen a book like this in a long time that delves into the definitions, the methodology, the history, the issues, and the practice of this crucial but neglected field of Christian Apologetics.”
Craig J. Hazen, founder/director, Graduate Program in Christian Apologetics, Biola University
- Title: Reasons for Our Hope
- Authors: Dennis W. Jowers, H. Wayne House
- Publisher: B&H
- Print Publication Date: 2011
- Logos Release Date: 2012
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Apologetics › History; Apologetics › Introductions; Apologetics › Methodologies
- ISBNs: 9781430077770, 9781433673641, 9780805444810, 1433673649, 0805444815, 1430077778
- Resource ID: LLS:06C79720EBF2DD0E941D28FD0936594D
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-06T20:40:50Z