Read Along: Christian Apologetics Ch04

Today we continue with chapter four of Read Along with Apologetics315, a weekly chapter-by-chapter study through Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Christianity by Douglas Groothuis. Each week’s post will provide a brief summary of the chapter, an audio introduction to the chapter by the author, as well as a PDF study guide suitable for printing and using for personal or group study. The audio is also available in a podcast feed for easier weekly listening. Here’s everything you need this week:

[Audio Intro] – Dr. Groothuis introduces this chapter.
[Chapter 4 Study Questions] – PDF study guide.
[Podcast Feed RSS | Podcast in iTunes] – Click to subscribe to the audio.

Summary
Chapter Four: The Christian Worldview (pages 73-94)
Before making a defense of Christianity, it is crucial to first outline exactly what the Christian view entails. Thus, this chapter outlines the Christian worldview according to its core tenets.

Groothuis emphasizes that Christianity is a system, like other worldviews, that makes truth claims. He goes on to describe the various aspects of the Christian worldview. These include the scriptures as the source of ultimate authority, Christianity’s epistemology, creation – fall – redemption, God as the ultimate reality, a Christian anthropology, salvation from God, the source of morality, history and the afterlife, and Christian living.

What the author has provided is a broad overview of classical Christianity; the core of what apologetics aims to defend. Groothuis also offers a “touchstone proposition” for the Christian worldview. (See third quote below)

Notable quotes:

The term Christianity has such broad application and such a range of meanings that we need to offer some definition and delimitation of its meaning if we are to have any hope of defending Christianity rationally. (Christian Apologetics, p. 70) 

Like every other worldview, a Christian worldview, at its deepest level, is a system of truth claims or assertions about reality. (Christian Apologetics, p. 72) 

The universe (originally good, now fallen and awaiting its divine judgment and restoration) was created by and is sustained by the Triune God, who has revealed himself in nature, humanity, conscience, Scripture and supremely through the Incarnation, that God may be glorified in all things. (Christian Apologetics, p.88)

Discuss

  1. Why is it important to clearly define a view before defending it?
  2. Are there truth claims in Christianity that need no defense?
  3. If you had to write your own touchstone proposition for the Christian worldview, how would you compose it? Or how would you briefly describe Christianity to a skeptical friend?
Next week
Chapter Five: Distortions of the Christian Worldview – Or the God I Don’t Believe In
Written by

Brian Auten is the founder emeritus of Apologetics315. He is also director of Reasonable Faith Belfast. Brian holds a Masters degree in Christian Apologetics and has interviewed over 150 Christian apologists. His background is in missions, media direction, graphic design, and administration. Brian started Apologetics315 in 2007 to be an apologetics hub to equip Christians to defend the faith.

Type at least 1 character to search
Catch the AP315 Team Online:

The mission of Apologetics 315 is to provide educational resources for the defense of the Christian faith, with the goal of strengthening the faith of believers and engaging the questions and challenges of other worldviews.

Defenders Media provides media solutions to an alliance of evangelistic ministries that defend the Christian worldview. We do this by elevating the quality of our members’ branding to match the excellence of the content being delivered.