护教学是什么？

護教學是甚麼﹖一般福音派對護教學的定義
WHAT IS APOLOGETICS?
A General Evangelical Definition


1. 「護教學」的字意 The Meaning of the Word “Apologetics”
a. 字根﹕apologia, apologesthai, 在新約《聖經》出現八次──
回答（彼前三﹕15），
分訴（徒廿二﹕１、廿五﹕16，林前九﹕3），
申訴（提後四﹕16），
表明（林后7:11）
辨明（腓一﹕７，16）。
Etymology (the root of the word): apologia, apologesthai –
appeared in the New Testament 8 times.
To reply (I Peter 3:15).
To argue/defend: Acts 22:1, 25:16, I Cor. 9:3).
To appeal: II Tim. 4:16.
Phil. 1:7, 16.

b. 基督教護教學﹕福音派一般定義﹕以《聖經》神學的事實證實基督教的真理，面對哲學、科學上的問題，為正統信仰作出辯護。
不過，護教學也有它正面宣講福音的一面。
A general evangelical definition of apologetics: to “prove” the truth(s) of Christianity, in light of questions in philosophy and science.
A defense of the orthodox (Bible-believing) Christian faith.
However there is also a positive side to apologetics: apologetics is a form of declaration of the gospel.

c. 深層分析﹕基本的三個層面﹕
In depth analysis: three basic dimensions of apologetics:
i. 辯護﹕為基督教信仰辯護，提出合理的基礎。
Defense: a defense of the Christian faith, to provide a reasonable for believing in the Christian gospel (religion).
ii. 論據﹕提出證據、論證。
Evidences: to provide “proofs,” “evidences” for the Christian faith.
iii. 反攻及攻擊﹕揭露對方的預設（揭底牌）。
Counter-offense: to expose the presuppositions of the non-Christian position.
護教實際的用途 ── 一般福音派的認識
Practical Uses of Apologetics – A General Evangelical Understanding
a. 透過解答人所問的問題，消除人對福音的誤解。
As we answer questions, apologetics removes misunderstanding of the gospel.

b. 糾正人對福音的態度，以致不再認為信耶穌是迷信、盲目，基督教是西方文化的產品等。
Apologetics can correct people’s misplaced attitudes toward the gospel; so that they no longer regard belief in Christ as “superstition”, or think that Christianity is a product of western culture, etc.

c. 在護教的談話中，從問題帶出福音，為傳福音鋪路。其實，預設派認為﹕護教是佈道的一種。
Through an apologetic dialogue, we can bring forth the gospel. Apologetics is a prelude to direct (proclamatory) evangelism. (Actually, presuppositioalists believe that biblical apologetics is a form of evangelism/preaching.)

d. 提供信心在理性方面的基礎，因信心也建基於預設和事實。
(注﹕理性是墮落的，因此「理性的基礎」是以《聖經》為基礎與標準。)
Apologetics can provide a “reasonable” foundation for our faith. The Christian’s faith is built on presuppositions and facts which come from God’s revelation in Scripture. (Man’s reason is fallen, therefore a “reasonable foundation” is built on Scripture. Scripture is the foundation and the norm for our faith.)


護教學的分類
Basic types of apologetics.
福音派護教方法或體系分為﹕前設的（預設派）及證據的方法（證據派）。
Generally, there are two evangelical approaches to apologetics, or two schools:
Presuppositionalism and Evidentialism.

a. 預設派 Presuppositionalism
b. 證據派 Evidentialism
c. 古典派 Classical apologetics