Humble Apologetics : Defending the Faith Today
Defending the Faith Today
Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, General Christianity, Theology
| Author: | John G. Stackhouse | ISBN: | 9780199839544 |
| Publisher: | Oxford University Press, USA | Publication: | November 14, 2002 |
| Imprint: | Oxford University Press, USA | Language: | English |
| Author: | John G. Stackhouse |
| ISBN: | 9780199839544 |
| Publisher: | Oxford University Press, USA |
| Publication: | November 14, 2002 |
| Imprint: | Oxford University Press, USA |
| Language: | English |
Is it still possible in an age of religious and cultural pluralism to engage in Christian apologetics? How can one urge one's faith on others when such a gesture is typically regarded with suspicion if not outright resentment? In Humble Apologetics John G. Stackhouse brings his wide experience as a historian philosopher journalist and theologian to these important questions and offers surprising--and reassuring--answers. Stackhouse begins by acknowledging the real impediments to Christian testimony in North America today and to other faiths in modern societies around the world. He shows how pluralism postmodernism skepticism about our ability to know the truth and a host of other factors create a cultural milieu resistant to the Christian message. And he shows how the arrogance or dogmatism of apologists themselves can alienate rather than attract potential converts. Indeed Stackhouse argues that the crucial experience of conversion cannot be compelled; all the apologist can do is lead another to the point where an actual encounter with Jesus can take place. "Our objective" Stackhouse writes "is to offer whatever assistance we can to our neighbors toward their full maturity: toward full health in themselves and in their relationships and especially toward God." In the last part of the book he shows how an attitude of humility instead of merely trying to win religious arguments will help believers offer their neighbors the gift of Christ's love. Drawing on the author's personal experience and written with an engaging directness and humility Humble Apologetics provides sound guidance on how to share Christian faith in a postmodern world.
Is it still possible in an age of religious and cultural pluralism to engage in Christian apologetics? How can one urge one's faith on others when such a gesture is typically regarded with suspicion if not outright resentment? In Humble Apologetics John G. Stackhouse brings his wide experience as a historian philosopher journalist and theologian to these important questions and offers surprising--and reassuring--answers. Stackhouse begins by acknowledging the real impediments to Christian testimony in North America today and to other faiths in modern societies around the world. He shows how pluralism postmodernism skepticism about our ability to know the truth and a host of other factors create a cultural milieu resistant to the Christian message. And he shows how the arrogance or dogmatism of apologists themselves can alienate rather than attract potential converts. Indeed Stackhouse argues that the crucial experience of conversion cannot be compelled; all the apologist can do is lead another to the point where an actual encounter with Jesus can take place. "Our objective" Stackhouse writes "is to offer whatever assistance we can to our neighbors toward their full maturity: toward full health in themselves and in their relationships and especially toward God." In the last part of the book he shows how an attitude of humility instead of merely trying to win religious arguments will help believers offer their neighbors the gift of Christ's love. Drawing on the author's personal experience and written with an engaging directness and humility Humble Apologetics provides sound guidance on how to share Christian faith in a postmodern world.
