Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith

by Douglas Groothuis

Publishers:

IVP Academic; Apollos

, 2011

Overview

The Christian worldview proposes answers to enduring human questions. But how reliable are those answers? In this 2012 Christianity Today Book Award of Merit, eminent Christian apologist Douglas Groothuis offers a thorough examination of this query.

“What if the millennia of human cries echo only into the empty sky and no further?” he asks. “That possibility must be faced if the quest itself is to have any meaning. . . Truth is what matters most, particularly truth concerning our human condition in the world—its origin, its nature, its purpose. . . its destiny.” Newcomers and seasoned apologists alike will benefit from exploring the arguments presented in Groothuis’ systematic text. Placed within a fully integrated Christian worldview, Groothuis makes a powerful case for Christian theism, proceeding from a defense of objective truth, to a presentation of the key arguments for God from natural theology, to a case for the credibility of Jesus, the Incarnation, and the Resurrection. Importantly, within these discussions, Groothuis considers alternative views as well and how they fare intellectually. Drawing upon decades of scholarship in the field, as well as experiences as a professor, writer, and campus pastor, this comprehensive text is a must-read for fans of Groothuis’ work, and for those looking to understand how the Christian worldview addresses difficult questions of life, death, suffering, the afterlife, and much more.

In the Logos Bible Software edition, Christian Apologetics will link with your library’s wealth of modern and historical encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other resources. This fully indexed version enables near-instant search results for words, people, places, and ideas, while Scripture references appear on mouseover in your preferred translation. With the most efficient and comprehensive research tools all in one place, you can deepen your study with just a few clicks. And with Logos tablet and mobile apps, you can take your study wherever you go.

Key Features

• Makes a cumulative case for the Christian faith with converging evidence
• Considers key arguments for the existence of God
• Includes chapters by New and Old Testament scholars Craig L. Blomberg and Richard S. Hess on the reliability of the Bible
• Provides extensive treatment on the claims of Jesus
• Addresses some of the most significant current challenges to the Christian faith

Contents

• Part One: Apologetic Preliminaries
• Part Two: The Case for Christian Theism
• Part Three: Objections to Christian Theism
• Appendix 1 Hell on Trial
• Appendix 2 Apologetic Issues in the Old Testament by Richard S. Hess
• Glossary
• Bibliography
• Name Index
• Subject Index
• Scripture Index

Top Highlights

“An apologist, then, is a defender and an advocate for a particular position.” (Page 23)

“One reason Christianity has failed to exert much influence on the major intellectual institutions of America is that too many Christians hold their beliefs in an uninformed and precarious fashion. Instead of pursuing answers to the toughest questions an unbelieving world can marshal, they attempt to preserve certainty through ignorance and isolation, relying on platitudes rather than arguments.” (Page 26)

“Apologetics defends the defining Christian truth claims against various challenges from unbelievers (see chap. 5). This definition of apologetics invokes both rational legitimacy (objective truth) and emotional appeal (subjective attractiveness).” (Page 25)

“Apologetics is linked to theology, philosophy and evangelism, but it is not reducible to any one of these disciplines. The conceptual content of apologetics depends on theology, the goal of which is to systematically and coherently articulate the truth claims of the Bible according to various topics, such as the doctrine of God, salvation and Christ. The apologist who has a strong commitment to the truth of Scripture endeavors to defend what Scripture teaches, and nothing less.” (Page 27)

“This book carves out a path of intellectual investigation and argument. It is a work of apologetics, the ancient and ongoing discipline of defending and advocating Christian theism.” (Page 20)

Praise for the Print Edition

Christian Apologetics is an outstanding book that I wholeheartedly endorse. It is one of the most thorough, insightful, and well written apologetics books I have read in a long time. Groothuis has the rare ability to write in a way that is understandable to the nonspecialist and yet rigorous enough to challenge the apologetic connoisseur.

—Sean McDowell, author of Apologetics for a New Generation

Groothuis is a leading evangelical thinker and Christian Apologetics is a monumental result of decades of study and reflection. Breathtaking in scope, clear in style, this book is now the go-to text in the field. I know of nothing like it, and I enthusiastically recommend it to all who want to learn to give an answer for the hope that is within them.

—J. P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University

Christian Apologetics is a full-scale defense of the Christian faith that is accessible, relevant, and wise. This book not only reflects the work of a seasoned apologist, it is written with passion and conviction. I heartily recommend it!

—Paul Copan, Professor of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University

Product Details

• Title: Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith
• Author: Douglas Groothuis
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press
• Publication Date: July 2011
• Pages: 752

About Douglas Groothuis

Douglas R. Groothuis (PhD, Philosophy, University of Oregon) is professor of philosophy at Denver Seminary in Denver, Colorado. He has also been a visiting professor or adjunct faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary (Colorado Springs extension), Metropolitan State College of Denver, Westminster Theological Seminary (California campus), University of Oregon, New College Berkeley and Seattle Pacific University. His articles have been published in professional journals such as Religious Studies, Sophia, Theory and Research in Education, Philosophia Christi, Themelios, Think: A Journal of the Royal Institute of Philosophy, Christian Scholar's Review, Inquiry and Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. He has written several books, including Truth Decay, In Defense of Natural Theology (coeditor), Unmasking the New Age, Jesus in an Age of Controversy, Deceived by the Light, The Soul in Cyberspace, and, in the Wadsworth Philosophers Series, On Pascal and On Jesus.