Faith and Culture Exam Study Guide
Review Sheet, Final Exam “Faith and Culture” Spring 2010 (lav) Remember to review your first two tests. The exam is comprehensive.
From Humble Apologetics (John Stackhouse):
1. What was the problem with “Dr. Ward’s” presentation on apologetics? Xvi
If apologetics is presented in an offensive way then it is self defeating. You can win the argument but still have the person hate your guts. He won the battle (debate) but lost the war.
2. What is “ideology”? 11 A system of ideas or a set of convictions.
3. What is deconstruction? 33
Deconstruction uses the tools of reason and experience to undermine what most people think of as settled by reason and experience. Is patiently and cleverly exposes the ambiguities of language to open up new possibilities and new voices. It shows that much accepted interpretations are open to question by others. It is sometimes called poststructuralism.
4. What is “the question of plausibility”? 38
“Might it be true? Is the Christian argument something I should seriously entertain for a moment.”
5. What is the primary obstacle to Christian apologetics? 40 Why?
It is this widespread contemporary response to Christian discourse – that Christianity is implausible – that is the primary obstacle to apologetics. This is because implausible explanations are simply laughable, not just difficult to believe. It’s the biggest obstacle because you can’t have a serious conversation with someone about the Gospel when they think it’s impossible.
6. How is “identity and ignorance” a problem for Christian apologetics? 42-44
Most people in North America believe that they are Christians already, even though their lives do not support this proclamation. Also, they do not even understand the faith that they profess. They profess a faith they do not understand very well; but because they think their understanding is adequate – and this their practice as well – they feel no need to listen to someone who wants to introduce them
From Humble Apologetics (John Stackhouse):
1. What was the problem with “Dr. Ward’s” presentation on apologetics? Xvi
If apologetics is presented in an offensive way then it is self defeating. You can win the argument but still have the person hate your guts. He won the battle (debate) but lost the war.
2. What is “ideology”? 11 A system of ideas or a set of convictions.
3. What is deconstruction? 33
Deconstruction uses the tools of reason and experience to undermine what most people think of as settled by reason and experience. Is patiently and cleverly exposes the ambiguities of language to open up new possibilities and new voices. It shows that much accepted interpretations are open to question by others. It is sometimes called poststructuralism.
4. What is “the question of plausibility”? 38
“Might it be true? Is the Christian argument something I should seriously entertain for a moment.”
5. What is the primary obstacle to Christian apologetics? 40 Why?
It is this widespread contemporary response to Christian discourse – that Christianity is implausible – that is the primary obstacle to apologetics. This is because implausible explanations are simply laughable, not just difficult to believe. It’s the biggest obstacle because you can’t have a serious conversation with someone about the Gospel when they think it’s impossible.
6. How is “identity and ignorance” a problem for Christian apologetics? 42-44
Most people in North America believe that they are Christians already, even though their lives do not support this proclamation. Also, they do not even understand the faith that they profess. They profess a faith they do not understand very well; but because they think their understanding is adequate – and this their practice as well – they feel no need to listen to someone who wants to introduce them