Apologetics; or, A system of Christian evidence

Preface

There is no fully concrete case of a child born and reared in this world without any religious influence. Attempts have been made to educate and absolutely exclude religion, but a child secluded for the purpose will sooner or later receive religious impressions. Guarded children have manifested a worshipful curiosity in looking at the sun and at wonderful objects. Experience proves that every human being is receptive and responsive under religious influences. The history of Religion shows the reality of spiritual impressions. The religious impressions would be impossible, if there was no God as the first cause. Man was originally created as religiously bent.

Think of the first human beings, Adam and Eve, when they were alone and gazed at the sun, moon, stars and other objects ! What would have been the result in their speculations, if there had been no higher guidance, intuition or revelation ! We must also consider mankind later on, when the eyes of man were opened to see the starry sky as innumerable worlds. How would man have felt on this small globe, if there had been no revelation concerning God as the personal Ruler in the universe! Independent of all speculations all feel safer in the knowledge of the existence of a personal God as our Father.

Without the Holy Scriptures nothing certain would be known concerning the future destiny of man and the world. No book gives us such assurance as the Bible does. In the light of the Bible the riddle of the universe is solved. Only the Bible can console the human heart and show the way to salvation. Experience proves that the Bible is the only book which is God's own book, revealing to us the Son of God in

Christ Jesus. Except He had come from the world beyond and told us things which otherwsie would have been unknown, our knowledge had become limited and our salvation impossible. If we only knew and were sure in regard to these things, some answer ; but one thing is certain, that if the Bible does not make us certain, no other book will, and the reading of the words of Jesus is overpowering. When we study comparatively the ethnic religions and the sayings of their best men, we feel that Christianity is the climax in religion and Christ is the only Master. The best apology of the Bible is the Bible, and the best apologist of Christ is He Himself. If the New Testament would be constantly and prayerfully read by inquirers, there would be no need of Christian apologies, but as things are, both Christian evidence and Apologetics are necessary and useful.

Even if we must regret the paucity of thorough-paced Bible students and good readers of the Scriptures, we rejoice in the fact that there is no book within the bounds of Christianity as much read as the Bible and especially the New Testament. When the number of readers of books like Paine's "The Age of Reason" grow less and less, the Bible gains a more and more extended circle of devoted friends. The modern attacks on the Bible have proved what a strong fortress the Bible is.

There are Bible readers of a superficial character who become skeptics, doubters and carpers, but if they are smitten in their conscience, they will soon cease to haggle about small matters. We hear of honest doubters who have real intellectual difficulties, and who by nature are critically inclined, but they are open to conviction. The study of Apologetics will be helpful to them.

The field of Apologetics is very wide, and no textbook can present the whole scope of the science, or discipline. We find, therefore, that many books only discuss a few topics, especially such as are characteristic of the theological discussions of the times referred to or of the age in which we live. It is self-evident that in our day the Bible-question is the most important. If we are able to prove that the Bible is the plenary inspired Word of God, then all the questions of Apologetics are answered. But on account of the leading proof in Christian experience, some hold that the Evidence of Christian Experience is the only and best Apologetics. And yet we find how many are interested in the usual apologetical topics as the arguments of the existence of God, special revelation, inspiration, miracles, prophecy, the person of Christ, the immortality of the soul, etc. Others are interested in Comparative Religion. But it is such a comprehensive subject that it cannot be presented in an ordinary textbook. We are also aware of the interest in physical or natural sciences, which, especially among the young, calls forth many curious questions concerning creation and anthropology. The advance of the modern sciences forces upon teachers new methods of treatment.

Teachers of Apologetics in our universities, theological seminaries and colleges are often handicapped, because apologetical systems contain only a few subjects which may be fully treated, but other subjects necessary in a textbook are omitted. Such being the case, students are compelled to buy a number of books. It seems, therefore, most convenient if the textbook touches upon all the principal subjects which the professor may develop more fully in lectures and discussions.

In order to meet the requirements referred to as far as practicable, the most necessary topics are in this textbook treated in the following divisions, preceded by an Introduction containing a brief sketch of the History of Apologetics : Theological, Anthropological, Soteriological, Pneumatological and Eschatological Apologetics. The terminology may sound dogmatical, but we trust that the relationship in terms instead of being a drawback will serve a systematic presentation. Some of the subjects are handled in a very brief outline, but others are given a fuller statement and explanation, as e. g. the Christian experience, but lengthy discussions are impracticable in a short textbook. We hold that a manual of instruction should not be prolix in order to serve as a guidebook in class-work, discussions and lectures. But the seminar-textbook may, any way, be written in such a form as will facilitate home-study, especially by the help of monographs and collateral reading. If some Systems of Evidence present a treatise on Comparative Religion, it is not necessary in a textbook of instruction, when the best equipped seminaries and the leading universities offer special courses in Comparative Religion and in the Philosophy of Religion. A course on the fulfillment of prophecy is usually given in the Exegetical Departments. Modern Apologetics does not pay such attention as formerly to the arguments for miracles, although some Systems discuss fully the usual proofs. It is considered that the best proofs of miraculous facts are the Inspired Word of God and the Christian Experience. If the Bible is not the Word of God, we have no basis to stand on. Without the Scriptures, there would be a terrible vacuum in human knowledge. The Creation is the first great miracle, the Incarnation the second, greater, the Resurrection of Christ and its effects the third and greatest, but the Regeneration in Christian Experience binds all the miracles together as an impregnable citadel or fortress in the defense of the truth of Christianity. Many of the old proofs have received a new setting in the chain of defense, as e. g. Testimonium Spiritus Sancti interum in its wider scope by the emphasis on the evidence of Christian experience.

The evidence of Apologetics has changed since the time of Butler and Paley, although the work of these writers and their followers always will be useful in apologetic activity, but we must consider the nature and method of the modem assault upon Christianity by pantheism with its historical criticism, by modern destructive Biblical criticism, by pseudo-evolution theories, by the many phases of modern infidelity and by the influence of oriental philosophy and its occult sciences. The subtle dangers from the attacks by these sciences are also pointed out in this book. But modern

Apologetics by more comprehensive methods does not reject the well-attested means of defense. All the historical foundations and approved principles must stand. The arguments for the plenary Inspiration of the Bible will be stronger by overcoming negative criticism and by using improved scientific means. The old arguments by fulfilled prophecy are stronger than ever as a result of excavations and monumental evidence. Even if modern criticism had been able to prove its theories in regard to Daniel and other books, a futile attempt, we must consider that the prophecies in regard to the first Advent of Christ have been fulfilled. And even if Higher Criticism had proved its data concerning Daniel, there are other prophecies in Daniel which were fulfilled, as e. g. about the Roman empire, etc. Christ testified to the truth of Daniel. Consider also how the prophecies concerning the Jews and Israel have been fulfilled and are being fulfilled. Christ's prophecies in regard to Jerusalem and other events were fulfilled, and others will be. The prophecies of Paul, Peter and John are in process of fulfilment.

By the closer touch with the nations in the old East the Christian doctrines stand forth as superior, and Christ becomes more and more the Light of the whole world. Jesus Christ, who liveth and was dead, and is alive forevermore, is King of kings and the great Master. Christianity is the religion not only of the Cross and atonement, but also of redemption. The reality of Christianity evidences itself as the redemptive power of the world. And Christian Experience proves the truth of the claim of Christianity. Non- Christians will find the truth by experiment in experience.

By the books on Apologetics and collateral reading mentioned in Bibliography, the student will be helped in specializing when preparing class-papers, and in Thesis-work. It was not an easy task to make a list of books, and the reader might find some changes or additions desirable, but we hope that the list, in the main, will be found satisfactory. The student at home, or the general reader, may find several books in the list which will be of service in studying special topics.

By experience the author knows the hard task in reading proofs, and, heartily, he thanks the Rev. O. V. Holmgrain for able assistance in proofreading.

The author expresses the hope that this textbook will fill some need in the wide scope of apologetical service, both in the halls of instruction and in the practical work of defense of the truth in the Church.

Conrad Emil Lindberg.

Augustana Theological Seminary, Rock Island, III. Epiphany, January 6th, 1917.

Contents

APOLOGETICS.

Introduction to Apologetics. „.„„

PAGE.

§1. Definition of Apologetics 17

§2. History of Apologetics 18

1. The Ancient Period 18

a. The Ante-Nicene Period 18

b. The Post-Nicene Period 21

2. The Catholic Scholastic Period 22

3. The Protestant Scholastic Period 22

4. The Modern Period 24

§3. Causes of Infidelity 26

1. Historical Causes 26

2. Ecclesiastical Causes 27

3. The false modern Science 27

4. Ethical Causes 27

5. Social Causes 28

§4. Divisions of Apologetics 29

I. THEOLOGICAL APOLOGETICS.

§5. Antecedent Fundamental Pacts 30

1. Theism 30

a. Proofs for the existence of God 30

The Ontological, Augustine, Anselmic, Cartesian 31

Rational Realism 32

The Moral 32

The Cosmological argument 33

The Teleological argument 35

b. Theism claims that the world is real 38

c. The Creation of the world 39

d. Classification of Theism 48

1) Intuitive Theism 48

2 ) Demonstrative Theism 49

3) Transcendental Theism 49

4) Ethical Theism 49

5) Social Theism 49

PAGE.

6) Personal Theism 49

7) Mystical Theism 50

e. Anti-theistic Theories 50

1) Atheism 50

2) Materialism 50

3) Pantheism 51

4) Positivism 52

5) Secularism 53

2. Philosophical Facts as Fundamental 53

a. Philosophy of Religion 53

b. Philosophy of History 54

c. Philosophy of Christianity 55

3. Apocalyptical Facts 55

§6. The Canonical Books of the Bible as Fundamental 56

1. The Genuineness and Credibility of the Bible Generally

Considered 56

a. The determination as to the Canon 56

b. The uncorrupted preservation of the books 58

c. The credibility of the books 58

2. General Remarks on the Inspiration of the Scriptures 59

§7. The Bible and Modern Criticism 60

1. The Modern Criticism and Inspiration 61

2. Modern Criticism in Relation to the Historicity of the

Books and Related Questions 63

1) Some considerations in regard to the Old Testament. . . 64

The Pentateuch 65

The archeological discoveries 67

The book of Daniel 68

2) Some considerations in regard to the New Testament. . 70

The theory of Baur 70

Seeming contradictions 73

3) Evidence in regard to the New Testament from some

of the archeological sources or "finds" 76

§8. Immanence of God 77

1. Deism 78

2. Agnosticism 79

§9. Miraculous Facts 80

1. Objections to Miracles 80

1) Miracles are a violation of the laws of nature 80

2) Miracles are excluded by the uniformity of nature 80

3) Miracles do not happen nowadays; therefore, they hap-

pened not at all 81

2. Arguments For the Truth of Miracles 82

II. ANTHROPOLOGICAL APOLOGETICS. PAGE . §10. The Creation of Man 84

1. The Claim of the Bible and Christianity 84

2. Various Arguments Against the Pseudo-Evolution Theory 87

3. Unity of the Human Race 89

§11. Man's Natuee 90

§12. Moral Evil 92

1. The Account of the Fall of Man as Historical 92

2. The Cause of Moral Evil 92

3. The Fact of Human Sin 93

§13. Physical Evil 94

1. Attempts to Explain the Reasons for Physical Evil 95

2. False Theories 97

a. False optimism 97

b. Pessimism 97

c. The "New Thought" propaganda, the Christian Science 98

III. SOTERIOLOGICAL APOLOGETICS.

§14. Man's Need of Redemption 102

§15. The Person of the Saviour 102

1. The Possibility of Incarnation 102

a. The idea of a God-man is self-contradictory 103

Schenkel's theory.

b. The idea is a myth 104

The theory of Strauss.

Renan's "Life of Jesus" 107

c. The incarnation is inconsistent on account of the

smallness of this planet among so many 109

2. The Historicity of Jesus 110

3. The Divinity of Christ 115

§16. The Resurrection of Christ 117

1. General Observations 117

2. The Story of the Resurrection 119

3. The Anti-Resurrection Theories 122

1) The swoon theory 122

2) The vision theory 123

3) The spiritual telegram theory 123

4) Martineau's theory 125

§17. The Work of the Saviour 126

1. The Gospel of Christ's Death is the Only Satisfactory

Scheme of Salvation 126

2. The Vicarious Atonement 127

3. Christianity is the Best Religion 131

a) The work of a living Christ 131

b) Christianity is characterized by openness and simplicity 132

c) The spirituality of the worship 132

d) Christianity is superior in the humiliation of man and

the exaltation of God 132

e) Christianity proves its superiority by its great effects 133

f) Christianity wins over other religions by its positive

statements tested by experience 133

4. Christ's Continued Work as High Priest and King 135

IV. PNEUMATOLOGICAL APOLOGETICS.

§18. The Natural Experience 136

1. The General Experience in Relation to the World 136

2. The Natural Experience in Relation to Mind or Ego 138

§19. The Christian Experience 140

1. The Christian Experience in Relation to Spiritual Realities 140

2. Such an Experience is a Fact 142

3. The Beginning and Development of the Experience 143

4. The Continuation and Growth of the Experience 151

§20. The Scientific Verification of the Evidence of the Experience 155

1. The Possibility of Such a Verification 155

2. The Method of the Verification 160

1) The change in the experience of regeneration is within

the sphere of consciousness 161

2 ) The knowledge of the cause 161

3) The continued experience of the same kind by many

is another scientific test 163

4) The simplicity of this method 163

§21. The Christian Experimental Certainty as to Leading Objects of Faith 164

§22. Problems of the Rational Understanding of Objects of

Faith, Although Supported by the Christian Experience 167

1. The Ontological Doctrine of the Trinity 168

2. The Problem of Belief in Angelology 170

3. The Problem of the Belief in the Church as a Divine

Institution 173

V. ESCHATOLOGICAL APOLOGETICS.

§23. The Immortality of the Soul 177

1. Proofs for Immortality 177

A. The historical argument 177

B. The indestructibility of matter as a proof 178

C. The metaphysical proof, based on the simplicity and

immateriality of the soul 178

D. The teleological proof from the inadequacy of the

present life, which without immortality would be a beginning without end or purpose 178

E. The moral argument 179

F. The argument of love 179

G. The individual instinctive proof of immortality 179

H. The theological proof 181

I. The soteriological proof 181

J. The eschatological argument 181

K. The Biblical absolute proof 182

2. The Christian Conception of Immortality Constitutes an Important Evidence for the Superiority of Christianity and its Divine Origin 182

§24. The Second Advent of the Redeemer 183

§25. The Resurrection of the Dead 183

1. The Probability of the Resurrection of the Body 184

2. The Possibility of the Resurrection 184

3. The Biblical Absolute Proof 186

§26. The Immediate Consequences 188

1. The Doctrine of Eternal Punishment 189

a) The doctrine is supported by conscience 189

b) Its rationality 190

c) It is reasonable 190

d) Christ teaches the doctrine 190

e) The vicarious death of our Saviour proves it 190

2. Life Eternal and the Kingdom of God 191

a. The contrast of some non-Biblical views 191

b. The Biblical picture of the future glory 196

Books on Apologetics and Collateral Reading 201

Index 209

'Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.**