It can be hard to give a simple and brief answer when someone wants to know more about one of the many religious ministries that are out there. Sometimes a short answer is possible to give, but it usually glosses over all of the different subtleties and details that there are, which paint a more accurate picture. Apologetics ministry might make someone think of something that is completely different from what it really is, which is a defense of Christian beliefs, based on the modern definition of the word.
In order to fully understand these ministries, one must take a look at where the word "apologetics" really comes from. In ancient Greek times, an apologia was a term used to refer to a defense made in a courtroom. This obviously differs from the way we think of an apology today.
The word "apologia" literally meant "to speak away." This makes sense when one considers that the person who was giving the apologia was trying to speak away the crime that they were being accused of. Knowing the word's origins plays a big part in understanding how this fits together with the ministries.
One of the ways that many people have heard this term in the traditional sense is in Plato's book called The Apology. In this work, Plato records how his teacher Socrates had to defend himself against an accusation that was very serious at the time. This was the crime of preaching about gods that were considered strange to the ancient Greeks.
The New Testament is full of different uses of apology as a form of defense. Many times, the person who is making the defense is trying to prove to others that their actions or words were justified. Each of these instances helps shed light on how one can make their own defense.
Alexander was a Jew mentioned in one of Luke's books in the Bible, and he was in a situation where he had to defend himself. Idol makers were upset because Paul's preachings were threatening to destroy their business, and this caused them to start a riot. The rioters threatened Alexander, and he had to find a way to make the people see things his way.
Those who followed Jesus in his time were, of course, persecuted greatly. Paul the apostle was one of the main targets of this persecution. That is why he is seen in the Bible, defending the messages of Christ in front of those who saw it as illegal.
By seeing all of the different cases in which this word has been used, it becomes much easier to understand what these types of ministries are really about. Defending Christianity does not mean rejecting the findings of philosophy, history, and science. Rather, it is a way of fitting these different studies together like puzzle pieces and seeing how they work in relation to one another.
In order to fully understand these ministries, one must take a look at where the word "apologetics" really comes from. In ancient Greek times, an apologia was a term used to refer to a defense made in a courtroom. This obviously differs from the way we think of an apology today.
The word "apologia" literally meant "to speak away." This makes sense when one considers that the person who was giving the apologia was trying to speak away the crime that they were being accused of. Knowing the word's origins plays a big part in understanding how this fits together with the ministries.
One of the ways that many people have heard this term in the traditional sense is in Plato's book called The Apology. In this work, Plato records how his teacher Socrates had to defend himself against an accusation that was very serious at the time. This was the crime of preaching about gods that were considered strange to the ancient Greeks.
The New Testament is full of different uses of apology as a form of defense. Many times, the person who is making the defense is trying to prove to others that their actions or words were justified. Each of these instances helps shed light on how one can make their own defense.
Alexander was a Jew mentioned in one of Luke's books in the Bible, and he was in a situation where he had to defend himself. Idol makers were upset because Paul's preachings were threatening to destroy their business, and this caused them to start a riot. The rioters threatened Alexander, and he had to find a way to make the people see things his way.
Those who followed Jesus in his time were, of course, persecuted greatly. Paul the apostle was one of the main targets of this persecution. That is why he is seen in the Bible, defending the messages of Christ in front of those who saw it as illegal.
By seeing all of the different cases in which this word has been used, it becomes much easier to understand what these types of ministries are really about. Defending Christianity does not mean rejecting the findings of philosophy, history, and science. Rather, it is a way of fitting these different studies together like puzzle pieces and seeing how they work in relation to one another.
About the Author:
Learn more about the Christian religion, right now. You can also get more info about a Christian apologetics ministry at http://www.faithdefenders.com/about today.
