Apologetics
A Plain Language Thought from the Window
An Apologetic: A position that presents a defense of (in this case) faith based on factual information, First from Scripture, and Second a defense from logic and evidence that goes outside of Scripture (historical, scientific, social).
Resources that defend a biblical faith as the only reliable position to take are exemplified by the the following titles that can be found on our book page: 'When Skeptics Ask,' 'When Critics Ask,' 'Know Why You Believe,' 'I'm Glad You Asked,' and 'Answering Islam.'
... Is Factual
A realistic world view must be founded on valid, truthful information. If not, it’s false.
One sad consequence of a modern education ... is many of us are not encouraged to take a class in logic. Another sad consequence is not adequately teaching the scientific method. Hypothesis, null hypothesis, not rejecting a hypothesis when warranted ... leads to mere assumption ... and is that valid?!
A valid world view linked to assumptions or misinformation becomes confused, misleading, and distorted. What if your eternal destiny depends on having the best information?
Do you know that you have an eternal destiny? Can that be defended and relied upon by faith? See what we are saying? How would you know what is truthful?
A biblical position includes testing for certainty:
1Th 5:21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (NKJV)
The best form of defense rests on truth. Apologetics is therefore an approach in presenting truth that validates a view.
When it comes to faith and religion, there are various forms of apologetics. You can talk to someone at a church, synagogue, temple, mosque, or meeting hall and be presented evidence in support of a corresponding view. Are they all true? In a moment of quiet and sincere dialog we may be taken by (sometimes emotional) appeals that sound right, but what may be inherently rationalization. The acid test comes down to reliable information and by debunking assumptions and misleading information used improperly as if truth.
Relevant To Us All
The reason for brining up the topic of apologetics comes down to a simple statement: Jewish and Gentile belief centered on an identifiable Messiah can be supported by fact. Because Jewish and Christian persons can both come to this mutual identification helps to bind or merge what are often thought separate world views. And this bonds these people into a single faith-based life. This also separates this group from other faith claims or cults.
Sources of Evidence
Where does the evidence come from? In Scripture there are many places to quote, Isaiah 53, Proverbs 30:4, Psalm 22, and many others. The historicity is supported by geography, the words of Josephus, and archaeological evidence, to name a few of many sources. The biblical text is also consistent with natural history and cites proper flora and fauna. In this regard the text of the Bible is not out of context with biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, etc.
Two Joined by One Truth
Thus, anyone who considers Judaism and Christianity as separate religions has not looked deep enough, even the wording of the Hebrew Bible joins Jew and Gentile. The added Greek Scriptures only clarifies relationships. This is the precise reason for the “Harmony Area” here in the WindowView.
How does the Messianic perspective stand up to other world religious views? Apologetics as an approach compares evidence from other views and, with some objective basis in fact, is able to differentiate viewpoints. In some cases, the assumptions or beliefs presented by other faiths quickly prove false. This point is key to narrowing the field of what is valid and what belief systems lead to nowhere. Literally, especially if there is life after death and there is really only one way to obtain that life. Well, is there only one way? That too is a question that can be scrutinized as part of an apologetic assessment.
Scriptural Context for Messiah
For your added exploration, the following WindowView pages help to address the scriptural evidence for the identity of the Messiah:
Messiah Links to the Hebrew Scriptures
Talmudic Evidence for the Messiah
Read the Bible: MKJV of Hebrew (Tanach) and Greek (Brit Chadeshah); plus other translations added as available.
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