This document outlines Kaitlyn Nowak's talk about her studies in apologetics at the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism, and Human Rights. The talk covers what apologetics is, why it is necessary today, and an overview of the classes Kaitlyn took at the Academy, which covered topics like scientific and philosophical apologetics. Apologetics is defined as a defense of Christianity and is seen as a biblical concept, with examples from Peter and Jesus given. Apologetics is also described as a branch of theology needed to address secularism, pluralism, and objections to Christianity in the modern age.

1. Defending
Christianity in an
Age of Pluralism
A talk by Kaitlyn Nowak
on her studies at the International Academy of
Apologetics, Evangelism, and Human Rights

2. Outline
1. Intro to Strasbourg, quick overview of Academy classes
2. Apologetics – What is it?
3. Why is Apologetics necessary today?
4. Sin as a starting point
5. Grace as the answer
6. Historicity of Christianity
7. Reliability of the Gospels

3. Quick Overview of Classes
• 8 days (2 4-day weeks) of classes, 6 hours/day
• Wide range of topics
• The Apologetic Task Today
• Scientific Apologetics & Medical Ethics
• Legal Apologetics & Human Rights
• Literary & Cultural Apologetics
• Apologetics of C.S. Lewis
• Cults, Sects, and the World’s Religions
• Biblical Authority Today
• Philosophical Apologetics
• Historical Apologetics
• Looked at evidence, not rhetoric
• “If you want to learn to argue…”

4. Av. de la Forêt Noire

5. Inside the Cathedral

6. La Petite France

7. Reformation Site Trip

8. My Classmates

9. The
Professors

10. What is Apologetics?
• The Greek word “apologia”
• A defense
• 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts,
and always be ready
to give a defense to
everyone who asks
you a reason for the
hope that is in you.”

11. Apologetics is Biblical
• Paul on
Mars
Hill

12. Apologetics is Biblical

13. Apologetics is Biblical
• Jesus & the
paralytic
• Forgiving sins isn’t
objectively
verifiable in and of
itself
• So Jesus heals him
– “it’s going to be
pretty
embarrassing…”

14. Apologetics is Theology
• Used to be considered just another branch of theology
• Not “in competition” with evangelism, preaching, the
means of grace
• Faith needs an object
• Called to love God with our whole mind, not just our
whole heart
• Can’t convince anyone intellectually into faith
• Can clear away misconceptions
• Can answer Christians’ questions
• Don’t venerate a map that gets us to the king’s palace

15. Apologetics is Necessary
• Gives an answer to secularism
• Secularization didn’t start after prayer left schools
• In the 18th century, “the Bible died”
• In the 19th century, “God died”
• In the 20th century, “man died”
• Christianity (or, “Churchianity”) is no longer a common
language
• Need to meet people where they are
• Church Fathers
• Most objections/arguments have already been addressed
• Some objections are simply wrong but widely propagated

16. Apologetics is Necessary
• Gives an answer to pluralism
• The post-Christian mind: emotivism & logical positivism
• Emotivism – moral judgments are nothing but expressions
of preference, attitude, or feeling
• Logical positivism – scientific method is the only valid path
to knowledge (scientism)
• Replaced traditional ethical systems
• All religions are seen as “what works for you”, “what gives
you peace”, etc.
• You can’t “test drive” all religions – not even close!

17. QUESTIONS?