I know that I can not possibly cover all of the people that I would like to honor in the field of Apologetics, but over the next few weeks I want to highlight some of the biggest influencers on my teaching of Christian Apologetics. Last week we looked at the life’s work of the late Nabeel Qureshi. This week I’d like to highlight J. Warner Wallace, Homicide Cold Case Detective, Christian Apologist and former atheist now Christian. His website: coldcasechristianity.com has so many available resources that will help anyone from a seasoned apologist to a first time reader, and especially the next generation!

J. Warner Wallace’s journey from atheism to Christianity is amazing because he uses his skills as a detective to come to the undeniable conclusion that God exists, that Jesus proved who he claimed to be, and that the Bible is the inspired and reliable Word of God. Under Wallace’s teaching at Biola University, he encouraged me (and all his students) to not sit on the sidelines, but to get in the game against anti-Christian sentiment and pornography that run rampant on social media. I begin this website and my postings on social media to share these truths, and I continue to get that encouragement from him years later.

Watch this short video by J. Warner Wallace:

Overview

The Importance of Christian Apologetics

A little more about Wallace from his website, Cold Case Christianity:

“J. Warner Wallace is a cold-case homicide detective, popular national speaker and author. He serves as an adjunct professor of apologetics at Biola University and as a faculty member at Summit Ministries. J. Warner was a conscientious and vocal atheist until the age of thirty-five, when he took a serious and expansive look at the evidence for the Christian Worldview and determined that Christianity was demonstrably true. He eventually earned a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. J. Warner’s professional investigative work has received national recognition and his cases have been featured more than any other detective on NBC’s Dateline, and his work has also appeared on CourtTV and Fox News. In addition, he had a role in God’s Not Dead 2, as a witness making the case for the historicity of Jesus.”

J. Warner’s books (and subsequent articles, videos, podcasts and curriculums) include:

“Cold-Case Christianity, A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels.” This book provides readers with ten principles of cold case investigations and utilizes these principles to examine the reliability of the Gospel eyewitness accounts.
“God’s Crime Scene, A Cold-Case Detective Examines the Evidence for a Divinely Created Universe.” In this book, Wallace investigates eight pieces of evidence in the universe to make the case for God’s existence.
“Forensic Faith, A Cold Case Detective Helps You Rethink and Share Your Christian Beliefs.” This book will help readers understand why they have a duty to defend the truth, learn how to employ the techniques of a detective to discover new insights from God’s Word and become better communicators. It includes real-life detective stories, fascinating strategies, and Biblical insights.
“Alive, A Cold Case Approach to the Resurrection.” This is a short, 48 page, defense of the Resurrection. Wallace applies his skills as a detective to the claims of the New Testament, and comes to a startling realization that the case for Christianity, and the Resurrection, is as convincing as any case he’d ever worked as a detective!
“So the Next Generation Will Know,” Preparing Young Christians For A Challenging World.” Co-authored with Sean McDowell, this is a powerful book that will help Christian parents, youth leaders, or educators who works with our “next generation.” This book shows how to share biblical truth with young people that desperately need to hear it in a way that draws them in instead of pushing them away.
“Person of Interest, Why Jesus Still Matters in a World That Rejects the Bible“. In Wallace’s newest book, Person of Interest, he carefully sifts through the evidence from history alone, without relying on the New Testament. You’ll understand like never before how Jesus, the most significant person in history, changed the world. This book helps us answer skeptics who deny the Bible as a reference, and reinforces a Christian’s faith that the Bible is truly the Word of God!

Cold Case Christianity, God’s Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith all have “Kid’s Versions” of these books as well as curriculums that can be used for any level of study. I highly recommend them for home study, small groups and individual study. There is also a “Cold Case Christianity” App for your phones, that has “Quick Shot” and “Rapid Response” sections that are easy to maneuver and read. They give you those quick answers to tough questions (because we know most people will only give you a minute or so to respond before you lose their attention)!

I encourage everyone out there to do your part in defending the faith against false assumptions and accusations whether on social media or in the home, at your Church or on the street, or at your job or on the stage. Whatever you do stay strong in the LORD and own your faith, know what you believe and why you believe it, then tell others.

The Apostle Peter said:

“Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”

1 Peter 3:13-17 (NASB)

The Apostle Paul said:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NASB)

And, he also warned:

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”

Colossians 2:8 (NASB)

Going Deeper

Watch J. Warner Wallace as he presents reasons to be confident in our faith:

Bible Study

Note: Basic answers will be posted mid-week for your review, and to make a leader’s guide for future studies!

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Note: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for Discussion or Going Deeper questions. If you use these kinds of sources share them with your group.

1. Review of Class Topic:

With your group, discuss today’s presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.

Read 1 Timothy 1:1-20 with your group then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

The Hermeneutics:

2. Who is the author and audience, and what is the genre and dating of this book?

3. What was the setting and purpose for the writing?

Chapter 1:

4. What did Paul say about what was happening in Ephesus and the reason he urged Timothy to stay there?

5. What did Paul say about the “Law” and how Christians should view it?

6.. Discuss: What did Paul say about himself and what he was thankful for? If comfortable, share your own testimony about God’s work in your life.

7. What command does Paul give to Timothy and why? In opposition, who are the two examples Paul gives and why?

8. Memory verses: Recite – 1 Timothy 1:15 (reason for salvation)

Join us next week as we continue our study in Christian Apologetics with more stories that matter, and a study in 1 Timothy!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15