Ted Cabal - The Apologetics Study Bible

C ommonly U sed A bbreviations in the H olman CSB

a.d. in the year of our Lord

alt alternate

a.m. from midnight until noon

Aq Aquila

Aram Aramaic

b.c. before Christ

c. circa

chap chapter

DSS Dead Sea Scrolls

Eng English

Gk Greek

Hb Hebrew

Jer Latin translation of Psalms by Jerome

Lat Latin

Lit Literally

LXX Septuagintan ancient translation of the Old Testament into Greek

MT Masoretic Text

NT New Testament

ms(s) manuscript(s)

OT Old Testament

p.m. from noon until midnight

pl plural

Ps(s) psalm(s)

Sam Samaritan Pentateuch

sg singular

syn. synonym

Sym Symmachus

Syr Syriac

Tg Targum

Theod Theodotian

v., vv. verse, verses

Vg Vulgatean ancient translation of the Bible into Latin

vol(s). volume(s)

W hat I s A pologetics?

by Kenneth D. Boa

Apologetics may be simply defined as the defense of the Christian faith. The simplicity of this definition, however, masks the complexity of the problem of defining apologetics. It turns out that a diversity of approaches has been taken in defining the meaning, scope, and purpose of apologetics.

The word apologetics derives from the Greek word apologia , which was originally used as a speech of defense. In ancient Athens it referred to a defense made in the courtroom as part of the normal judicial procedure. After the accusation, the defendant was allowed to refute the charges with a defense ( apologia ). The classic example of an apologia was Socratess defense against the charge of preaching strange gods, a defense retold by his most famous pupil, Plato, in a dialogue called The Apology .

The word apologia appears 17 times in noun or verb form in the NT, and can be translated defense or vindication in every case. The idea of offering a reasoned defense of the faith is evident in Php 1:7,16; and especially 1 Pt 3:15, but no specific theory of apologetics is outlined in the NT.

In the second century this general word for defense began taking on a narrower sense to refer to a group of writers who defended the beliefs and practices of Christianity against various attacks. These men were known the apologists because of the titles of some of their treatises, but apparently not until 1794 was apologetics used to designate a specific theological discipline.

It has become customary to use the term apology to refer to a specific effort or work in defense of the faith. An apology might be a written document, a speech, or even a film. Apologists develop their defenses of the Christian faith in relation to scientific, historical, philosophical, ethical, religious, theological, or cultural issues.

We may distinguish four functions of apologetics, though not everyone agrees that apologetics involves all four. Such opinions notwithstanding, all four functions have historically been important in apologetics, and each has been championed by great Christian apologists throughout church history.

The first function may be called vindication or proof , and involves marshaling philosophical arguments as well as scientific and historical evidences for the Christian faith. The goal of this function is to develop a positive case for Christianity as a belief system that should be accepted. Philosophically, this means drawing out the logical implications of the Christian worldview so that they can be clearly seen and contrasted with alternate worldviews.

The second function is defense . This function is closest to the NT and early Christian use of the word apologia, defending Christianity against the plethora of attacks made against it in every generation by critics of varying belief systems. This function involves clarifying the Christian position in light of misunderstandings and misrepresentations; answering objections, criticisms, or questions from non-Christians; and in general clearing away any intellectual difficulties that nonbelievers claim stand in the way of their coming to faith.

The third function is refutation of opposing beliefs. This function focuses on answering the arguments non-Christians give in support of their own beliefs. Most apologists agree that refutation cannot stand alone, since proving a non-Christian religion or philosophy to be false does not prove that Christianity is true. Nevertheless, it is an essential function of apologetics.

The fourth function is persuasion . By this we do not mean merely convincing people that Christianity is true, but persuading them to apply its truth to their life. This function focuses on bringing non-Christians to the point of commitment. The apologists intent is not merely to win an intellectual argument, but to persuade people to commit their lives and eternal futures into the trust of the Son of God who died for them.

B ooks of the B ible and C ontributors

Old Testament

Genesis

Introduction: Kenneth A. Mathews

Notes: Chapters 111: Kenneth A. Mathews

Chapters 1250: A. Boyd Luter Jr.

Exodus

Introduction and Notes: Robert D. Bergen

Leviticus

Introduction and Notes: Mark F. Rooker

Numbers

Introduction and Notes: R. Dennis Cole

Deuteronomy

Introduction and Notes: Eugene H. Merrill

Joshua

Introduction and Notes: Ken Fentress

Judges

Introduction and Notes: Barry C. Davis

Ruth

Introduction and Notes: Barry C. Davis

1 Samuel

Introduction and Notes: Robert D. Bergen

2 Samuel

Introduction and Notes: Robert D. Bergen

1 Kings

Introduction and Notes: Kirk E. Lowery

2 Kings

Introduction and Notes: Kirk E. Lowery

1 Chronicles

Introduction and Notes: Kirk E. Lowery

2 Chronicles

Introduction and Notes: Kirk E. Lowery

Ezra

Introduction and Notes: Barrett Duke

Nehemiah

Introduction and Notes: Barrett Duke

Esther

Introduction and Notes: Barrett Duke

Job

Introduction and Notes: Richard D. Patterson

Psalms (s)

Introduction and Notes: Allen P. Ross

Proverbs

Introduction and Notes: Edward M. Curtis

Ecclesiastes

Introduction and Notes: Duane A. Garrett

Song of Songs

Introduction and Notes: Sheri L. Klouda

Isaiah

Introduction and Notes: Gary Smith

Jeremiah

Introduction and Notes: David K. Stabnow

Lamentations

Introduction and Notes: David K. Stabnow

Ezekiel

Introduction and Notes: Lamar E. Cooper, Sr.

Daniel

Introduction and Notes: Stephen R. Miller

Hosea

Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley

Joel

Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley

Amos

Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley

Obadiah

Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley

Jonah

Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley

Micah

Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley

Nahum

Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley

Habakkuk

Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley

Zephaniah

Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley

Haggai

Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley

Zechariah

Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley

Malachi

Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley

New Testament

Matthew

Introduction and Notes: Alan Hultberg

Mark

Introduction and Notes: Alan Hultberg

Luke

Introduction and Notes: Alan Hultberg

John