HEAD TO HEART APOLOGETICS CONFERENCE May 28-29, 2019

4H APOLOGETICS: How to Address Arguments Against

Christianity
by John Pesebre

4H Apologetics is a curriculum we developed at Ratio Christi UP Diliman to guide Christian students on

how to address arguments against Christianity. The 4Hs are hear, help, heal and honor. It moves from
understanding the argument (hear), refuting with negative apologetics (help), building a case with
positive apologetics (heal) and connecting the positive apologetics to the Gospel (honor).

Two main reason why Filipinos look at Apologetics through smoked glass:
1. Anti-Apologetics propaganda
2. Franchise Player Model
 It takes time to answer the question.
 Two way argument without no answer in one question.

Phil 1:7 NIV “7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether
I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me.”

Phil 1:16 NIV “16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.”

“ Does religion cause War? “

“ Christianity is a bloodthirsty religion?”

RELIGION – is the number one cause of the war.

Have given us stonings witch-burnings, crusades, inquisitions, jihads.
The whole contention that Christianity has had an evaluating moral influence.

“ Christianity is a bloodthirsty religion? “

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 HEAD TO HEART APOLOGETICS CONFERENCE May 28-29, 2019

 Christianity is not a bloodthirsty religion

Verse Reference:

Isa 2:4 NIV “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They
will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take
up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. “

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 3:16 NIV "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

“I get to understand more the peace of GOD as I immerse myself to scripture.”

HEAR
1. What is the claim?
2. What is the support

CLAIM + SUPPORT = ARGUMENT

(X is Y) because (X is Y) = ARGUMENT

3 claims
1. Claim of Fact
2. Claim of Value = Counter Argument
3. Claim of Policy

Christianity is a blood thirsty religion = CLAIM

Because
She stated majority of wars of history = SUPPORT

1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 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.”

“Creating a congenial environment through intellectual virtues.”

PROVENANCE + PROBLEM
Source of doubt what problem can cause doubt in our Christianity

HELP
4H APOLOGETICS: How to Address Arguments Against Christianity A- 2
 HEAD TO HEART APOLOGETICS CONFERENCE May 28-29, 2019

1. What is your counter-argument?

2. What is your negative apologetics or refutations?

“ Christianity is a blood thirsty religion because She stated

majority of wars of history.”

“ Christianity is not a blood thirsty religion because She did not

start majority of wars of history.”

POSITIVE APOLOGETICS
- Seek to build or construct a case for Christianity.

NEGTIVE APOLOGETCS - Refutation

- Negative Apologetics or Refutation

Acts 18:28 NIV “For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that
Jesus was the Christ.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

HEAL
1. What is your Problem with the objection?
2. What is your positive apologetics
3. Positive Apologetics
4. Negative Apologetics

Isa 2:4 NIV “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat
their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against
nation, nor will they train for war anymore. “

HONOR
1. What is your Gospel point?
2. What action can do as a response to this truth?

The biblical God is a God of Peace

“Jesus is peace because his sacrifice was meant to create between GOD and man.”

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