Emerging Scholars Blog

InterVarsity's Emerging Scholars Network

Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for the Biblical Faith

Why “Christian Apologetics”? — Hell

“Christian Apologetics” Cover

One of the ways in which the damned will be condemned is that they will see themselves condemned by their own reason, by which they claimed to condemn the Christian religion. — Blaise Pascal. Penses. ed. and trans. A. Krailsheimer (New York: Penguin, 1966), 175/563, p. 84.

In To skim or not to skim: A ‘case’ study of “Christian Apologetics”, I share my initial response to Douglas Groothuis‘ newly released 752 page casebound Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for the Biblical Faith (IVP. 2011). As we begin a new term and jump into the daily grind, some readers may wrestle with the question of “why apologetics?” Although the Chapter 2 (The Biblical Basis for Apologetics) quotes included in my previous post address this concern, what I came across in Groothuis‘ Appendix 1: Hell on Trial also deserves attention.  Please join me in taking a few minutes to prayerfully consider and respond to some of the material in Appendix 1: Hell on Trial. 

Groothuis opens the section with the above quote from Pascal and by stating “Christianity is the highest-stakes proposition imaginable” (653). After looking at Jesus and Hell (with significant attention to Bertrand Russell) and The Logic of Hell over the course nine pages, he concludes with these compelling words:

An apologetic that denies or shies away from the doctrine of hell is not a truly Christian apologetic. Yet this teaching must be done with compassion and tears. Such was exemplified by Francis Schaeffer, a man who believed in eternal punishment and who gave his life to rescue people from it and to lead them into the abundant life that only Jesus Christ delivers (John 10:10). When asked why he continued to defend and proclaim the gospel, even while afflicted with what would become terminal cancer, he replied [Read more…] about Why “Christian Apologetics”? — Hell

To skim or not to skim: A ‘case’ study of “Christian Apologetics”

“Christian Apologetics” Cover

As Douglas Groothuis‘ newly released 752 page casebound Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for the Biblical Faith (IVP. 2011) spilled out of the box onto the counter in front of my four girls, I felt the press of two book reviews, a stack of material to read for three seminary classes, and various responsibilities at home, church and work. How did I respond?

Thankfully, earlier in the day I had read Hannah’s ESN blog post What I Wish I’d Known About Graduate School: Surviving the Workload (8/23/2011), in which she writes:

I found it depressing to realize this, but graduate school in the humanities is probably going to entail some skimming. It’s crucial to decide on a few central priorities for a semester and focus on them. It’s still important to work hard in courses that aren’t central to your interests, but you probably will have to skim some readings.

AND Kevin’s ESN FB Wall comment/recommendation, “There is a great book by Mortimer Adler called ‘How to Read a Book‘– it provides guidance for both effective skimming and deep reading. All grad students should read it BEFORE starting grad school.” Note: Google Books preview available here.

Yes, deep down, I feel an uneasiness about not picking up a good book when it sits in front of me AND furthermore, the pangs of guilt when intentionally skimming a good book. As time, energy, finances, blog attention spans are limited, “Why should I (and you) bother with Groothuis‘ Christian Apologetics (IVP. 2011)?” [Read more…] about To skim or not to skim: A ‘case’ study of “Christian Apologetics”