Classical Apologetics

By Israel Wayne

One of the major branches of Christian Apologetics is called, "Classical Apologetics." The basic concept is that the skeptic can be convinced of the truth of Christianity by simply reasoning properly.

Rather than giving the skeptic lots of bits and pieces of evidence, as the Evidentialist approach would suggest, the Classical Apologist uses Logic and Rhetoric to persuade the unbeliever. The approach has its beginnings in Ancient Greece. Aristotle, Socrates, Plato and their contemporaries developed means of argument and persuasion that are still being used today.

Logic

Classical Apologetics tends to emphasize the forms of Logic that are deemed irrefutable (in attempting to contradict them you have to affirm their truth):

1.      The Law of Identity

            a. An object is identical to itself.

2.      The Law of Non-Contradiction

            b. Two contradictory statements cannot be true in the same sense at the same time.

3.      The Law of the Excluded Middle

            c. Just because two things have one thing in common does not mean that have everything in common.

4.      The Law of Rational Inference

            d. Inferences can be made from what is known to what is unknown.

Perhaps we can explore these in more depth in a later essay.

While Augustine or Anselm may get some votes, the man most highly favored as the father of Classical Apologetics is Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274).

Classical Arguments

Four of the main arguments for the existence of God, commonly used in Classical Apologetics are:

1.      The Cosmological Argument

                        a. Argument from a First Cause or Prime Mover

2.      The Teleological Argument

                        b. Intelligent Design implies an Intelligent Designer

3.      The Moral Argument

                        c. Existence of a Moral Law implies a Law-Giver

4.      The Anthropic Principle

                        d. A Teleological argument that says the earth was fashioned to support human life.

Oftentimes common Christians unknowingly use variations of these arguments, even when they don't know the fancy terms. Again, perhaps we can explore each of these four points in a later series of essays.

Reformed Classical Approach

As with Evidentialism, proponents of a Classical Approach have Presuppositional starting points, and they often use individual pieces of evidence to support their arguments. Some update the Classical Approach by attaching the ideas of the Reformers such as Luther, Calvin, Kuyper, Dooyerweerd, etc.

In my view, modern Apologetists who use the Classical Approach include:

G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, R.C. Sproul, Charles Colson, Nancy Pearcey, J.P. Moreland, Norman Geisler, John Lennox, Allister McGrath, etc.

I suppose if any of those leaders don't like my Classical characterization, they can clarify their views more specifically. The main point is that they use rational arguments, many of which are rooted in a long-standing historical tradition, to defend the Christian faith.

Strengths

The strength of Classical Apologetics is that it builds on the time-tested methods of the saints of the past. Rather than trying to invent the wheel in every generation, adherent to this position wisely recognize that "there is nothing new under the sun." Nearly all of the arguments and objections to the Christian faith in our day have been faced and reasonably answered by our forefathers in the faith.

Everyone uses reason and logic to determine truth. The question is, are the using good or bad logic? A primary function of the Apologist is to help the skeptic think clearly through the issues so that he can come to a knowledge and understanding of the truth.

Weaknesses

As with Evidentialism, we need to remember that you cannot argue someone into the Kingdom of God. If you can talk them into believing in God, they can also be talked out of it. Stuart McAllister of RZIM has wisely stated that if you defend the faith because you love arguing, you are doing it for the wrong reason. A good soldier on a battlefield fights because he must, not because he enjoys fighting. The fact that we are driven to defend the Christian faith at all should sober and humble us with the fact the "truth has fallen in the streets."

The goal of Apologetics is not to win arguments. It is not to look brilliant and intelligent. It is not to have a witty comeback for every objection to our beliefs. That mindset is based in pride and it displeases our Lord. The goal is to be like a humble beggar, telling other beggars where we found bread. The Classical Approach can, if not tempered, lead people into believing that Christianity is about a mere consent to a set of beliefs or propositions. It is not. Christianity is about a person: Jesus Christ. It is about sinners being reconciled to a Holy God through the shed blood of Jesus.

Jesus Christ is the only hope for humanity. It is the repentance and subsequent obedience of sinners that we are seeking, not the winning of intellectual arguments.

Copyright 2008, by Israel Wayne. All Rights Reserved.

Israel Wayne was home educated and currently serves as Marketing Director for the national publication Home School Digest, and the site editor for www.ChristianWorldview.net. He is the author of the book, Homeschooling from a Biblical Worldview, published by Wisdom's Gate. Israel and his wife Brook (also a homeschool graduate) have five young children. Write to: Wisdom's Gate, P.O. Box 374, Covert, MI 49043. 1-800-343-1943 or www.WisdomsGate.org