Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., Professor
of Philosophy, Denver
Seminary
Why I am a Christian: Ask the Christian Philosopher
“More consequences for thought and action follow
the affirmation or denial of God than from answering any other basic question.”
- Mortimer Adler
- Mortimer Adler
I.
Why I am a Christian
A.
What
is Christianity?
1.
As a
worldview: creation, fall, and redemption
2.
Summary
statement
The universe (originally
good, now fallen and awaiting its divine restoration) is created by the Triune
God, who has revealed himself in nature, conscience, Scripture, and through the
Incarnation of Jesus Christ, so that the universe may be renewed and judged, and
so that people may be restored to God and experience new life eternally.
3.
One
Gospel statement: Romans 5:1-8
B.
Philosophical-scientific
evidence for its objective truth
1.
Absolute
origin of the universe a finite time ago
2.
Design
of the universe: macroscopic and microscopic evidence
3.
Objective
moral law and a Law-giver
C.
Historical
evidence for its objective truth
1.
Reliability
of the New Testament
2.
Uniqueness
and incomparability of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 1, Luke 1:1-4)
3.
Positive
effect of Christian ideals throughout history
D.
Existential
evidence for its objective truth
1.
A
coherent, meaningful, and fruitful worldview
2.
A
sense of oneself—good and bad—before the living God
II.
Why You Should Consider Following Christ
A.
Intellectual
satisfaction: evidence of truth and rationality (Romans 12:1-2)
B. Existential possibilities: eternal life or
the loss thereof (John 3:16-18)
C. Being part of a redemptive movement
globally (Matthew 28:18-20)
Resources Defending Christianity
as True, Rational, and Pertinent to Life
1.
Gleason Archer, Encyclopedia of Biblical Difficulties
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1982).
2.
Craig Blomberg, The Historical Reliability of the Gospels
(InterVarsity, 2007).
3.
Campbell
Campbell-Jack, Garvin J. McGrath, eds. New
Dictionary of Christian Apologetics (InterVarsity Press, 2006). I
contributed essays on “Technology,” “Blaise Pascal,” “Gnosticism,” “Point of
Contact,” “Theistic Arguments,” and “Cyberspace.”
4.
William Lane
Craig, Reasonable Faith, 3rd
ed. (Crossway, 2008). In-depth work defending Christianity scientifically,
philosophically, and historically by a leading philosopher and debater.
5.
William Lane
Craig, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, God? A
Debate Between a Christian an and Atheist (Oxford University Press, 2004).
6.
William Lane
Craig, Chad Meister, eds., God is Great,
God is Good (InterVarsity, 2009). A collection of essays by prominent
thinkers defending Christianity against a variety of charges, especially by “the
new Atheists” (Dawkins, Harris, Hitchins, Dennett).
7.
William Dembski, The Design Revolution (InterVarsity,
2004). Brilliant defense of Intelligent Design against naturalism.
8.
Douglas
Groothuis, Truth Decay: Defending
Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism (InterVarsity Press,
2000).
9.
Douglas
Groothuis, On Jesus and On Pascal, both Wadsworth, 2003.
10.
Douglas Groothuis,
Christian Apologetics (InterVarsity,
2011).
11.
Apologetics
articles by Doug Groothuis: http://www.denverseminary.edu/become-a-student/master-of-arts-degree-programs/ma-with-a-major-in-philosophy-of-religion/articles-by-dr-douglas-groothuis
12.
The Discovery
Institute (Intelligent Design): www.discovery.org
13.
J.P. Moreland, Scaling the Secular City (Baker, 1987).
More advanced apologetics.
14.
Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth (Crossway, 2004). Strong
introduction to the Christian worldview in comparison to other worldviews, and
how to engage culture in a godly way.
15.
Francis
Schaeffer, The God Who is There
(InterVarsity Press, 1998). 30th anniversary ed. (InterVarsity
Press, 1998). Classic treatment of the contemporary culture and the Christians
response.
16.
Francis
Schaeffer, How Shall We Then Live? The
Rise and Fall of Western Culture (Crossway, 1976). Explains the basic
themes of Western thought and culture and how Christians should live today in
light of this. See also the DVD film series.
17.
James Sennett and
Douglas Groothuis, editors, In Defense of
Natural Theology (InterVarsity, 2005). More advanced work.
18.
Rodney Stark, The Triumph of Christianity (HarperOne, 2011).
19.
John Stott, Basic Christianity (InterVarsity Press).
Explains the basic Christian message and the Christian life in clear, cogent
terms. A modern classic.
20.
Lee Stroble, The Case for a Creator (Zondervan,
2004). See the DVD of the same name.
21.
Lee Stroble, The Case for Faith (Zondervan, 2000).
22.
Lee Stroble, The Case for Christ (Zondervan, 1998).
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