As with anything as complicated as the many ministries of Christianity and other religions that exist across the world, there are both general ways of defining such branches of religious teachings that cover it as broadly and simply as possible, and there are also much more detailed and nuanced explanations that tend to go much deeper in informing the person who wants to know more about it. When it comes to the Apologetics Ministry, hearing the simple definition of it as basically a defense of Christianity might mislead one into thinking that this is all there is to it to these types of ministries. It can be very revealing to find out all that this really entails for those who want a more in-depth explanation.
In order to fully understand these ministries, one must take a look at where the word "apologetics" really comes from. In ancient Greek times, an apologia was a term used to refer to a defense made in a courtroom. This obviously differs from the way we think of an apology today.
The word "apologia" literally meant "to speak away." This makes sense when one considers that the person who was giving the apologia was trying to speak away the crime that they were being accused of. Knowing the word's origins plays a big part in understanding how this fits together with the ministries.
One of the ways that many people have heard this term in the traditional sense is in Plato's book called The Apology. In this work, Plato records how his teacher Socrates had to defend himself against an accusation that was very serious at the time. This was the crime of preaching about gods that were considered strange to the ancient Greeks.
The New Testament is a great place to find apologies in the form of defending oneself. There are instances when people are trying to prevent themselves from being incriminated, and others when they are trying to save their own lives. In general, the person is trying to make others see that what they did was justified.
In the New Testament, Luke tells the story of a Jewish man named Alexander, and how he had to defend himself. There was a mob of angry people, which was incited by idol makers. These makers of idols were threatened to be put out of business as a result of Paul's preachings.
Those who followed Jesus in his time were, of course, persecuted greatly. Paul the apostle was one of the main targets of this persecution. That is why he is seen in the Bible, defending the messages of Christ in front of those who saw it as illegal.
With all of the historical examples of the use of this word, it is easier to understand what exactly these ministries stand for. People who practice this branch of faith focus on defending their beliefs. This involves seeing their faith in terms of science, history, philosophy, and many other disciplines and reasoning how it all fits together.
In order to fully understand these ministries, one must take a look at where the word "apologetics" really comes from. In ancient Greek times, an apologia was a term used to refer to a defense made in a courtroom. This obviously differs from the way we think of an apology today.
The word "apologia" literally meant "to speak away." This makes sense when one considers that the person who was giving the apologia was trying to speak away the crime that they were being accused of. Knowing the word's origins plays a big part in understanding how this fits together with the ministries.
One of the ways that many people have heard this term in the traditional sense is in Plato's book called The Apology. In this work, Plato records how his teacher Socrates had to defend himself against an accusation that was very serious at the time. This was the crime of preaching about gods that were considered strange to the ancient Greeks.
The New Testament is a great place to find apologies in the form of defending oneself. There are instances when people are trying to prevent themselves from being incriminated, and others when they are trying to save their own lives. In general, the person is trying to make others see that what they did was justified.
In the New Testament, Luke tells the story of a Jewish man named Alexander, and how he had to defend himself. There was a mob of angry people, which was incited by idol makers. These makers of idols were threatened to be put out of business as a result of Paul's preachings.
Those who followed Jesus in his time were, of course, persecuted greatly. Paul the apostle was one of the main targets of this persecution. That is why he is seen in the Bible, defending the messages of Christ in front of those who saw it as illegal.
With all of the historical examples of the use of this word, it is easier to understand what exactly these ministries stand for. People who practice this branch of faith focus on defending their beliefs. This involves seeing their faith in terms of science, history, philosophy, and many other disciplines and reasoning how it all fits together.
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Learn more about the Christian religion, right now. You can also get more info about a Christian apologetics ministry at http://www.faithdefenders.com/about today.