Apologetics – Christian Teaching Resources

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…
1 Peter 3:15

This section of the website is both to help Christians give a reason for the faith they have and for those who have doubts about the Christian Faith. These may range from atheists (a sort of Atheists Anonymous) via agnostics (like Agnostics Anonymous) to Christians who have problems with aspects of the Faith and the Bible (Doubting Thomas Anonymous).

It is meant to be helpful, constructive and thought provoking. It’s not a place for scoring points, although I do have a bit of a go at some of the sillier aspects of some of the New Atheist School (just as I could about some of the sillier aspects of the Christian Community!).

I don’t fondly imagine that people can be argued into the Kingdom of God or faith in Christ. Faith is a gift from God, although it is readily available to those prepared to take a step, or leap – a “calculated risk” to repent and trust in Christ. I write more about this elsewhere in the website, e.g. “What is a Christian Anyway?” If you’re seriously searching for faith you may find that part of the site more helpful.

Dr James Engel has given us the Engel Scale which describes the various steps people take in moving from unbelief (whether atheist or not) to personal faith in Christ. He lists eight:

8 Awareness of Supreme Being but no effective knowledge of the Gospel.
7 Initial awareness of the Gospel.
6 Awareness of the fundamentals of the Gospel.
5 Grasp of the implications of the Gospel.
4 Positive attitude towards the Gospel.
3 Personal problem [need] recognition.
2 Decision to act.
1 Repentance and faith in Christ.
[There are further steps which I won’t go into now]

This section is mainly to help people to start on Step 8 and then go further.

I believe in being honest and want to say that Sceptics Corner is not just a place for debate – linked with my blog. It is intended hopefully to move people towards faith in Christ. I might win an argument, I might not, but that is of secondary importance. Sceptics Corner will be successful only in so far as it moves people on spiritually.

Finally, let me say that I am happy to receive questions and comments via the blog or email and will do my best to respond constructively.

Articles are arranged according to subject and to whether they are:

1. Short popular articles for the general reader
2. Longer popular articles for the general reader
3. More academic articles where relevant