He outlines the varieties of apologetic approaches and answers philosophical objections as well as biblical and theological objections, to apologetics. He surveys the history of apologetics from the New Testament era to the modern period.

In the following chapters Beilby unpacks the summary he provided in the first chapter. Apologetics is what happens when the Christian humbly yet confidently proclaims the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ in a world where truth and reasons for belief matter” (p. This first chapter closes with these words: “It must be understood that apologetics is neither a necessary precondition to theology nor an easily dispensable add-on. The author begins with a definition of Christian apologetics, a brief defense and explanation of its biblical support, and its role in Christian faith and practice.

In this book I discuss the nature and goals of apologetics, different approaches to apologetics, objections to the idea or practice of apologetics, and how apologetics should be done” (p. Rather, this is a book about apologetics. In this, the bibliography provided at the end of the book will be of some help. Those who are looking for responses to objections to Christianity or arguments for Christianity should look elsewhere. In the preface he writes, “This is not a typical apologetics book. Beilby is professor of systematic theology and philosophical theology at Bethel University.

The Historical Jesus by James K. Beilby