Of the most common approaches to apologetics, which is most effective? The goal of apologetics is to persuasively defend Christianity against charges of falsehood, inconsistency, or credulity. It's an intellectual discipline that serves to bolster the faith of Christian believers and to aid the task of evangelism, but are some methods more effective than others? Five Views on Apologetics examines the "how-to" of apologetics, putting five prominent techniques under the microscope: Classical - represented by William Lane Craig Evidential - represented by Gary Habermas Cumulative Case - represented by Paul D. Feinberg Presuppositional - represented by John M. Frame Reformed Epistemology - represented by Kelly James Clark Offering a forum for presentation, critique, and defense, this book allows the contributors for the different viewpoints to respond to the others. Your own informed conclusions can then guide you as you meet the questions of a needy world with the claims of the gospel. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

This is an accessible, comprehensive, and persuasive resource providing detailed evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. It also demonstrates how to share the material clearly, honestly, and definitively. Included is an interactive CD which tests the reader's knowledge of the material by using an entertaining TV game show format. "There is nothing like this on the market. It is interesting, engaging, and crucial material."
--Norman Geisler " The authors] have distinguished themselves as leading experts on the evidence for this all important event." --D. James Kennedy Written by the leading evangelical apologist on the resurrection and an up-and-comerIncludes an interactive CD to cement the information from the bookWritten for lay people but includes extensive footnotes that scholars will find valuableIncludes charts, diagrams, and a detailed outline for quick reference

Prove to me that Jesus was and is who He says he is without using the Bible. Have you ever tried to talk with an unbeliever about Christ? Jesus was a real historical figure, and his claims have real proof attached to them. Gary Habermas has researched and compiled the information for you in this fascinating book. Using archaeological, textual and extra-biblical evidence, The Historical Jesus builds a convincing foundation for the existence and deity of Jesus.

In 2004 philosopher Antony Flew, one of the world's most prominent atheists, publicly acknowledged that he had become persuaded of the existence of God. Not long before that, in 2003, Flew and Christian philosopher Gary Habermas debated at a Veritas Forum at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Habermas, perhaps the world's leading expert on the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus, made the case for rational belief on the basis of the reliability of the evidence. Flew argued for alternative understandings of the evidence presented. For two-and-a-half decades Flew and Habermas have been in friendly dialogue about the plausibility of the resurrection and the existence of God. This book presents the full content of their third and final debate, as well as transcripts of the Q & A session with the audience afterward. Also included are a 2004 conversation between Habermas and Flew shortly after Flew's much-publicized change of position, as well as editor David Baggett's assessment and analysis of the full history of Habermas and Flew's interactions. Here is your opportunity to listen in on a conversation with two of the greatest thinkers of our era about one of the most pivotal events in human history. Follow the evidence wherever it leads. And decide for yourself whether it's believable that a man could rise from the dead.

'Always be prepared,' wrote the apostle Peter, 'to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.' Reading and digesting this book will help. Gary R. Habermas begins his apologetic for Christianity by demonstrating the historicity of the resurrection of Christ. He then connects the resurrection to several key tenets of Christian theology, through paths not only historical, but also philosophical, counseling, and experiential. The resurrection, Habermas shows, is the central belief for every Christian, whether that person believes it was an actual historical event or not. But it is Habermas' illustration that Jesus quite literally rose bodily from the dead that makes this book so unique. The resurrection is not only the foundation for Christian belief past and present, but also the basis for future hope. What, for instance, does the resurrection of Jesus have to teach us about our own fear of death? Habermas' answers to this and other questions proves how essential the resurrection is to living a Christian life, and gives us great hope for the future.

Rumors of deception have surrounded claims of Jesus' resurrection ever since the soldiers appointed to guard his tomb made their report to the Jewish authorities. But no one has led the philosophic charge against miracles quite as influentially as David Hume with his 1748 essay "Of Miracles." Refined, revised, restated, his arguments still affect philosophic discussions of miracles today. During the twentieth century, strong arguments have been raised by Antony Flew, now professor emeritus at Keele University in England. Flew has contributed a fresh statement of his objections to the idea of God's acting in history just for this volume, which also includes Hume's classic critique as a part of the case against miracles. In response, Douglas Geivett and Gary Habermas have assembled a distinguished team of scholars to rebut the objections and set forth the positive case for God's action in history: Richard Purtill clarifies the word miracle, while Norman Geisler critiques Hume's case against miracles. Francis Beckwith and Winfried Corduan assess how we would recognize miracles in the past and in the present. Ronald Nash examines naturalism's exclusion of miracles and shows its self-referential incoherence. J. P. Moreland discusses whether science properly rules out the possibility of miracles. God's existence and action in history are probed by David Beck and Stephen Davis, while Douglas Geivett argues that within a theistic framework it is reasonable to expect miracles as confirmation of claims to special revelation. David Clark examines miracles within the context of various world religions. Robert Newman, John Feinberg, William Lane Craig and Gary Habermas conclude by investigating fulfilled prophecy, the virgin birth and incarnation of Jesus, the empty tomb, and the resurrection appearances. In Defense of Miracles is a comprehensive, up-to-date discussion that should not be overlooked by anyone concerned with the current debate over miracles.

The Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is the central tenet of the Christian faith. St. Paul put it succinctly: if Christ did not rise from the dead, our faith is in vain. This remarkable dialogue between the leading Christian scholar of the Resurrection and the world's best-known philosophical atheist resulted from a three-hour discussion on a popular religious television talk show, moderated by John Ankerberg. The dialogue began with both participants agreeing to 12 separate historical facts that occurred when Jesus died and shortly afterward. Habermas and Flew then explored how each of their perspectives could account for what happened. Flew offered a psychological thesis interpreting the biblical accounts in natural terms. Habermas supported the historicity of the Resurrection by using contemporary critical methods. The discussion goes on to examine subjects such as medical details regarding crucifixion, extra-biblical sources for Jesus, the Jesus Seminar, St. Paul's conversion experience and his contribution to the early Christian testimony. The interchange is marked by mutual respect and exceptional clarity of thought and expression. This is a book that will appeal to a wide audience of believers, seekers, and non-believers. The topic is timely, the participants renowned, and the presentation inviting to both scholar and layperson.