Introduction to Apologetics

Introduction

"apologetics" is a technical term. It has nothing to do with "making an apology" in the modern sense of the word
Christian apologetics is the science of making a reasonable and rational defence of the Christian faith
apologetics is helpful in our witnessing and also gives us personal assurance that our faith is reasonable and rational. Every Christian should make an effort to learn about apologetics

written by approximately 40 authors over a 2000 year period in 3 different languages, the Bible has a constant theme
translated into over 1000 languages, circulated with over one billion copies, the Bible has had widespread influence and still commands widespread respect. This despite widespread persecution.
more ancient manuscripts than any other ancient writing. Approximately 25,000 ancient copies of the Bible exist, as opposed to 643 ancient copies of Homer's Illiad

the Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14)
son of David (Jeremiah 23:5)
born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
entering Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9)
sold for 30 pieces of silver, money thrown into God's house (Zechariah 11:12,13)
hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16)
nobody could fulfill these prophecies by themselves!

the apostles testified as to what they saw, and were executed for their faith. Would you die for something you knew to be a lie?
the first person to see the resurrected Saviour was Mary Magdalene. The Jewish legal system did not allow women to give legal testimony. If you were making up this story, would you make the first appearance to a woman?
the Bible records the flaws of great people (e.g. David's adultery with Bathsheba, Peter's denial of the Lord). If you were making this up, would you add all of these passages outlining your own failings?

Cornelius Tacitus, a Roman Historian (born 52-54 A.D.) speaks of the death of Christ
Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian (born 37 A.D.) spoke about Jesus, and reported that the Christians thought Jesus had rose from the dead. He mentioned that Jesus might be the Jewish Messiah
Suetonius (120 A.D.) mentions Christ and the expulsion of Jews from Rome

archaeological proofs against the Bible are often weak because of the fragmentary knowledge we have about ancient history
Belshazzar promised to make Daniel the third highest ruler in the kingdom (Daniel 5)
archaeologists had a list of all the kings of Babylon, and Belshazzar was not on the list, so they declared the Bible to be inaccurate
later research showed that the last King of Babylon had a son named Belshazzar, who likely "filled in" for his father when his father was in semi-retirement
no wonder Daniel was made the third highest ruler! Belshazzar himself was only the second highest ruler!
another archaeological evidence is the Hittite Kingdom. Archaeologists had found no evidence that such a people existed and assumed the Bible was in error. However, later digging showed that the Hittites not only existed, but had a vast and powerful empire!