Humble apologetics : defending the faith today /
Stackhouse, John G. 1960-,
Humble apologetics : defending the faith today / [print] John G. Stackhouse, Jr. - Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, (c)2002. - xvii, 262 pages ; 22 cm
Part One: Challenges -- Pluralism -- Postmodernity and postmodernism(s) -- The problem of plausibility -- Consumerism -- Part Two: Conversion -- Defining conversion -- Deciding about religion -- Defining, directing, and defending apologetics. Part Three: Communication -- Principles of Christian communication -- Audience-specific apologetics -- Guidelines for apologetic conversation -- Other modes of apologetics -- Conclusion: Humble apologetics.
"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."--Jacket.
9780195307177 9780195138078
2002008382
GBA302452 bnb
Apologetics.
BT1103.S775.S733 2002 BT1103
Humble apologetics : defending the faith today / [print] John G. Stackhouse, Jr. - Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, (c)2002. - xvii, 262 pages ; 22 cm
Part One: Challenges -- Pluralism -- Postmodernity and postmodernism(s) -- The problem of plausibility -- Consumerism -- Part Two: Conversion -- Defining conversion -- Deciding about religion -- Defining, directing, and defending apologetics. Part Three: Communication -- Principles of Christian communication -- Audience-specific apologetics -- Guidelines for apologetic conversation -- Other modes of apologetics -- Conclusion: Humble apologetics.
"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."--Jacket.
9780195307177 9780195138078
2002008382
GBA302452 bnb
Apologetics.
BT1103.S775.S733 2002 BT1103