Focus Points

1. What is apologetics?
   1. God commands that you be able to give an answer to those who would ask you (1 Pet. 3:15).
   2. Apologetics can be defensive and offensive.  It is OK to be on the offense, tearing down the strongholds of the enemy.  we do not always have to be defensive.  we don't always have to wait for the attacks to come to us.
   3. Apologetics is similar to preaching because its goal is ultimately the defense and presentation of the validity and necessity of the gospel. 
   4. We do apologetics by faith, in obedience to God's command, and we expect that God will be glorified.  As far as which approach is best, pray, trust God, and give the best answer you can. 
   5. You should pray and ask the Lord to teach you what He wants you to know.  This way, you will be prepared according to God's will do not your own.
2. Evidential Apologetics
   1. Evidential Apologetics is that style of Christian defense that stresses the miracles found in the Bible, particularly Christ's resurrection, as an evidence for the existence of God and the validity of Christ and His words.
   2. The resurrection is the best explanation that accounts for the motivation, action, and words of the disciples.
   3. If the critics want to deny the resurrection, than let them offer a better explanation for the motivation and actions of the disciples throughout the New Testament history.  If they cannot, then the resurrection of Christ is the best explanation.
3. Classical Apologetics
   1. Classical Apologetics is that style of Christian defense that stresses rational arguments for the existence of God and uses evidence to substantiate biblical claims and miracles.
   2. Whichever you do, think of apologetics as a mosaic of skills and knowledge that God uses in the believer to bring truth to the world.
4. Presuppositional Apologetics
   1. A Christian presuppositionalist presupposes God's existence and argues from that perspective to show the validity of Christian theism.
   2. Presuppositions will guide idea how a person will evaluate evidence and proofs for God's existence.
   3. It is a good idea to ask diagnostic questions to find out where a person is philosophically and presuppositionally so I might better discuss Christianity.  
5.  Logic in apologetics
   1. Logic is very important in apologetics. The Christian should listen to objections and make cogent and rational comments in direct response to the issues raised.
   2. The proper use of logic in apologetics is to remove intellectual barriers that hinder a person from accepting Jesus as Savior.
   3. The law of non-contradiction states that "a" cannot be both "a" and not "a" at the same time.
   4. The law of identity states that something is what it is:  "a" is equal to "a".
   5. The law of excluded middle means that every statement is either true or false, that there is no middle position.
   6. Logic belongs to God. This is because God has invented the universe, the physical laws, mathematics, and all other natural and true phenomenon in it.  Logic is true because it is a reflection of God's nature which is order and truth.
6. Memorizing Scripture
   1. Memorize scripture
   2. If you quote something from the Bible, and do not know where it is, this weakens your witness. If you can repeatedly demonstrate the verse and the location of the verse in the Bible, it helps you to appear more competent.