Apologetics 1

Out of interest, you know sort of "give me your best shot", I decided to listen to a Christian Apologetics course through iTunes University and found a course by the Reformed Theological Society present by Dr John Frame. As you might guess, I’m now a Christian, because bad argument is all that was needed to sway me.

As it was broken up into three parts, I’ll discuss each part separately.

The first section is on epistemology, how do we know? Dr Frame sets up the groundwork of what he calls Presuppositional Apologetics. The presupposition part relates to the basic foundation on which everything rest, for him it is the bible, for me it is reason. It is ‘presupposition’ in that the idea trumps all over thoughts, not that that’s where you start. It might just be me, but I don’t think that word means what you think it does.

Dr Frame also outlines why Apologetics.  1 Peter 3:15

3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in you hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear

And he also outlines what an unbeliever is, Romans 1:18-21

1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; that they are without excuse:
1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

See if you can spot any logical fallacies here. The main one is circular reasoning / begging the question, which is the heart of his argument. But he claims we do this too, so that’s all right. (I’m not sure if that is a whole new logical fallacy.)

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