A Plan for Mclean Bible Church to Increase Apologetics Knowledge for the Congregants in the Context of Secular Washington, DC

Abstract

This project sought to assess and expose members of the McLean Bible Church (MBC) in Washington, DC, with the knowledge of apologetics so as to adequately defend their faith and bring those who have evidential “stumbling blocks” to the cross. This project covered the scientific knowledge of God’s existence, the historical accuracy of the Bible from archaeology, and the legal arguments for assisting Christians in promoting Christianity in the public square. Chapter 2 provides the exegesis of four passages of Scripture (1 Pet 3:15; 1 Cor 9:19, 22-23; 1 Cor 15:3-38; 2 Cor 10:1,5). Chapter 3 discusses the scientific and cultural biases that seek to eliminate Christianity from the public discourse and examples of arguments Christians can use in engagement. Chapter 4 describes the project itself, which entails developing apologetic lessons for empirical measurement by surveys for efficacy. Chapter 5 discusses the efficacy of these lessons based upon the completion of the goals measured in surveys given before and after these lessons. Also discussed are the lessons-learned of the project. This project exposes the need for evidential and cumulative case apologetics to be taught in formal settings by qualified pastors and professors in coordination with MBC’s mission statement, “to bring the Gospel to secular Washington, DC” in conjunction with Matthew 28, The Great Commission. This project can be assimilated by other churches as a model for providing the basis for stressing the need for apologetics.