Read Along: Christian Apologetics Ch18

Today we continue with chapter eighteen of Read Along with Apologetics315, a weekly chapter-by-chapter study through Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Christianity by Douglas Groothuis. Please leave a comment on your reading below. This is where you can interact with others reading the book, ask questions, or add your own thoughts. Series index here. Click below for the audio intro, chapter 18 study questions PDF, and summary:

[Audio Intro] – Dr. Groothuis introduces this chapter.
[Chapter 18 Study Questions] (with kindle locations) – PDF study guide.
[Podcast Feed RSS | Podcast in iTunes] – Click to subscribe to the audio.

Summary
Chapter Eighteen: Deposed Royalty: Pascal’s Anthropological Argument
(pages 418-437)
Chapter eighteen digs into an argument developed by Blaise Pascal: the anthropological argument. This is the argument from the human condition, which attempts to explain both the wretchedness and the greatness of man. Pascal argues that the doctrine of the fall of man is the best explanation for the riddle of human nature. Man is great, but he is also wretched; he is “deposed royalty,” having the marks of former greatness.

Groothuis, an authority on Pascal, unpacks the multiple layers of Pascal’s argument. He shows how this is an abductive argument; an argument to the best explanation. As he has done throughout the book, the author also shows just what role this argument plays in a cumulative case for the Christian worldview.

Notable quotes:

Man’s greatness and wretchedness are so evident that the true religion must necessarily teach us that there is in man some great principle of greatness and some great principle of wretchedness. (Blaise Pascal, Pensées 149/430, ed. and trans. A. J. Krailshaimer [New York: Penguin, 1966], p. 76., quoted in Christian Apologetics, pp. 420-421)

The case for human fallenness […] cannot be verified historically (apart from the biblical texts). It is, rather, a theological postulate used to explain historical phenomena. Pascal stipulates that the true religion must explain human nature if it is to be credible. (Christian Apologetics, p. 428)  

The fall of humanity is admittedly difficult to fathom; however, once it is admitted into our worldview, the enigmas of the human condition are explained and the human landscape is illuminated as never before. (Christian Apologetics, p. 434)  

When combined with a robust natural theology, the anthropological argument further strengthens the Christian apologetic by helping to explain human beings to themselves and to others. (Christian Apologetics, p. 437)   

 Discuss

  1. Why do you think the anthropological argument may be compelling?
  2. What examples does Pascal give that show man’s greatness and fallenness?
  3. How would you weave this argument into your overall apologetic?
Next week
Chapter Nineteen: Jesus of Nazareth: How Historians Can Know Him and Why It Matters
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.