During October we have the privilege of William Lane Craig visiting the UK to take part in a series of debates and lectures on the reasonableness of Christianity.
Craig is a significant apologist who has authored numerous books and taken part in many debates. His presentation skills are highly effective and engaging. In the publicity for the tour there is a quote from an ‘irregular churchgoer’ who heard Craig during his 2007 visit: ‘Why isn't there more of this kind of thing being preached from church pulpits? If there were, I'd go more often and I'd stay awake during the sermon!’ It’s a good question. What is it that Craig is doing that is relevant to our pulpits?
The ‘A’ word
I teach apologetics at a local college and I regularly preach at the local church where I am pastor. However, I rarely, if ever, use the word ‘apologetics’ in my local church ministry. Why not? It’s a technical word meaning ‘to give a word back’ or to defend the faith from objections. However, in contemporary use it seems to imply saying sorry. When it comes to our faith, Christians might rightly complain that they have nothing to apologise for!
Comedy, free speech and warnings from the past
Hannah Arendt was a Jewish philosopher who grew up in Nazi Germany. Eventually she had to flee to France and, …