Let's Start Using Evidence in Presuppositional Apologetics
What Are the 2 Major Types of Apologetics?
When it comes to defending your faith, there are really only two ways to go. You can follow a Scripture-first approach, or you can follow a skeptic-first approach. In my article, “Which Is Better, Presuppositional or Evidential Apologetics (Full Guide),” I define these terms like so:
“The skeptic-first method begins with the unbeliever, or skeptic (skeptic here just means doubter)… The skeptic says, "I don't believe the Bible, so you can't use it in your argument. You have to find neutral ground we can both agree on." So… that's what you attempt to do.”
“In a Scripture-first approach to apologetics, you begin with the Bible. You take the teachings of Scripture and act as if they are true… even if they contradict what your discussion partner is telling you… And you view the whole conversation through the lens of Scripture.”
Evidential apologetics is classified as a skeptic-first approach. It uses evidence to show that Christianity is the most probably true worldview. On the other hand, presuppositional apologetics is Scripture-first. It uses Scripture to show that skeptical arguments must presuppose the truth of the Christian worldview to even make sense!
In short, the two methods are different. However, does this mean that a presuppositionalist can never use evidence? Au contraire. Believers who use a presuppositional methodology may absolutely use evidence in their arguments, and I encourage them to do so.
How to Use Evidence Presuppositionally
When it comes to defending the faith, I advocate for a three-step method. That method works like this:
Step one: Show the problem with the non-Christian position.
Step two: Show how the Bible solves that problem.
Step three: Show how Jesus solves the ultimate problem.
Step two consists of two parts.
First, you show that the Christian worldview actually makes sense of the criteria needed for the objection to make sense. Then, you bring forth evidence to show why the Christian worldview meets those criteria.
For example, let’s say someone accused the Bible of containing contradictions.
Now, contradictions are violations of the laws of logic. So in the first part of Step two, you would demonstrate how logic only makes sense within the Christian worldview. In the second part, you would bring forth evidence from Scripture itself, to show that it is not actually teaching any contradictions. In this case, that may take the form of textual criticism or language study.
By using evidence this way, you are not trying to show that Christianity is probably true. You have already established that Christianity is the only worldview that makes sense of the objection in the first place. What you are doing is showing how the evidence corroborates the truth of Christianity.
You are using evidence, but in a presuppositional way.
This is Question #9 in our current project of providing 100 answers to 100 questions. If you found it helpful, please join the cause. Sponsor a question and support the work of The Think Institute now. Learn more here.