Long considered a series of “loosely connected and grossly editorialized traditions” about the hero Samson,1 Judges 13–16 has been seen as increasingly unified in recent decades, with studies arguing for the coherence of its structure, theme, and even plot. 2 A 1974 essay by James Crenshaw extols the narrator’s skill at achieving a unified composition organized around a universal theme, “the conflict between filial devotion and erotic attachment.” 3 Cheryl Exum’s series of articles published between 1980 and 1983 reveals structural and thematic webs connecting scene to scene, episode to episode, and cycle to cycle, many of them lifting up the theological message that despite his strength Samson is nonetheless utterly dependent on the Lord for life and death. 4 A 1990 essay by Robert Alter describes the structural, thematic, and even psychological connections between episodes forged by the root -36, which underscores Samson’s compulsive drive toward foreign women. 5 Yairah Amit’s 1...
Apologetics: Is Christianity based on blind faith?Christianity is not blind faith or intellectual suicide.Faith in Christianity is based on evidence and God has always intended it to be that way.
“You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.”John 8:32 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.”Matthew 22:37 It is not how great you believe something that makes it true, but believing something that is true makes it great.Jesus is the real object of our faith. The value of the Christian faith is not in the one believing, but in the one who is believed in.The difference between Greek mythology and potential Christian mythology is that similar events in Christianity happened to real, historical flesh and blood individuals. Moses and the historical Egyptians, Samson and the real Philistines, Jesus and the well documented Romans.
* All the ancient myths have been exposed long ago. It is common to see the modern secular world still trying to undermine Christianity.
* Myths never claim to have an eyewitness.
The Bible does claim to have eyewitnesses: 2 Peter 1:16 1 John 1:1-3 Luke 1:1-3 Acts 1:1-3 1 Cor.15: 6-8 John 20:30 Acts 10:39-42 1 Peter 5:1.
*When the apostles preached they appealed to the public to recall the
events they had seen: Acts 2:22 Acts 26:24-28.
“Apologetics” comes from the Greek word apologia, or “apologia.” It means “defense.” It was used to describe the argument of defense in court during a judicial interrogation. It describes giving an answer to the skeptical, abusive inquiries.
apologia is used in 1 Peter 3:15 and translated as “answer” in the NIV. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Also: Acts 22:1; Colossians 4:6; Philippians 1:7; 1:16; Jude 3.
“We can not pander to a man’s intellectual arrogance, we must cater to his intellectual integrity.”
“Christian faith goes beyond reason but never against it.” “I know whom I have believed.” 2 Timothy 1:12.The heart cannot rejoice in what the mind rejects.
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