Ebook
In the post-Christian world, we find sincere efforts in traditional Christian apologetics repeatedly running into invisible walls. These blocks happen when cultural issues are neglected. With mere rational arguments presented as a defense of Christianity, logical answers alone are not attracting the nonbelievers nor resolving their skepticism. People today have different obstacles in coming to the Christian faith, particularly their own cultural presuppositions. How do we present, defend, and commend Christianity to people whose culture gives them a frame of mind--the one that cares very little about how rational the arguments are? Cultural Contextualization of Apologetics explores the world of the New Testament and the ministry of the apostle Paul to excavate a fresh model for apologetics with cultural engagement to present an answer. Matt W. Lee analyzes the dynamics involved in Paul's cultural connection with his audience and how it relates to their receptivity, uncovering a scheme of apologetics engagement patterned in his apologetics speeches. From the background of Paul's world to the forefront of contemporary apologetics preaching, Cultural Contextualization of Apologetics offers a vision of apologetics communication that is both biblical and practical.
“Presuppositional? Evidential? Classical? Matt Lee recognizes
that none of these approaches quite fits the apologetics of the
apostle Paul or the earliest Christian apologists, and he offers
one way that all of the models might coexist in a culturally
contextualized approach.”
—Timothy Paul Jones, Southern Seminary
“Stemming from sound theological insights with pastoral sincerity,
Matt Lee has produced a significant work that contains the heart of
a shepherd that toils to reach the next generation, carefully
navigating through modern challenges in Christian apologetics. This
book will benefit both serious theorists and field practitioners
alike, sparking up much-needed conversation about communicating the
faith in today’s world.”
—Jung-hyun Oh, SaRang Global Academy
“This book is a plea for the ‘apologist-hood of all believers,’ the
principle through which we can renew and revive global Christianity
in the face of horrendous challenges, including religious
pluralism, postmodern relativism, and humanistic atheism.
. . . This is a must-read for all called to be faithful
disciples of the Lord.”
—Sung Wook Chung, Denver Seminary
Matt W. Lee has a PhD from Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary, is an associate pastor at SaRang Church, and is the Vice
Dean of SaRang Global Academy’s Worship Academy. He is the Lead
Pastor for the young adult singles ministry at SaRang in Seoul,
Korea, where he is actively involved in Christian music
ministry.