The role of logical argument, persuasion and evidence in Christian apologetics with reference to Matthew 22, John 5, Acts 26 & Titus 1

Abstract

This dissertation is an investigative study on the case for Christian apologetics from the New Testament. It focuses specifically on the use of logical argumentation and evidence by Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul in the New Testament. The context of this work is within the South African community, which as a society contains a variety of worldviews, many of which stand in opposition to the truth claims of the Christian faith. Christians are for the most part ill-equipped in dealing with these non-Christian ideas. The end result often leads to a crisis of faith or even the “shipwrecking” of many Christians’ faith. This study includes two articles both focussing on the elements of logical argumentation and evidence which will serve to better equip Christians. The first article focusses on the essential role of argumentation, persuasion and logic in apologetic dialogue. The second article focusses on the importance of case-building and evidence within Christian apologetic dialogue, and also a critique on the idea of fideism. This struggle of ideas is both ideological and spiritual. It is often most acute for Christian students at university as they are confronted with the different worldviews of their fellow students and lecturers.