For many of today's Christians their go-to style of proclaiming the faith is to share their own experiences. While this may be a stepping stone to the conversation, we should not remain on our subjective and unprovable experiences. Rather, Christians should use the pattern set forth in the New Testament by the apostles and evangelists: the gospel of Jesus who died, was buried, and rose to life on the third day according to the Scriptures. In this book the sermons of the apostles and evangelists will be looked into to see how they both proclaimed and defended the Christian faith, giving all Christians the pattern to follow in their own opportunities to share the one true faith.
Nancy A. Almodovar is professor of world religions at Park University and also the course designer. She maintains a blog at Lutherangirl.org while teaching a weekly series via Zoom titled #ApologeticsTogether and posted on her YouTube channel. She is also the author of A Modern Ninety-Five (2008), The Accidental Lutheran (2019), Creedal Apologetics (2021), and Reason to Reason (2021).
“In They Were Eyewitnesses, Dr. Almodovar comes right to the point and without ambiguity directs Christians and unbelievers alike to the objective and eternal truth of God’s written Word as the foundation of apologetics: indeed, the foundation of our faith, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. ‘The power of God is in the gospel’ is Dr. Almodovar’s clear message, and ‘Scripture guided them [the apostles and prophets] in interpreting their personal experience.’ Scripture alone, faith alone, and grace alone save each of us, not experiences—that is the testimony to be shared.”
—Tim Corder, believer
“Dr. Almodovar correctly points out that what is most certain and sure are objective, extra nos facts reported by eyewitnesses. The Christian faith is all about that, unlike other world religions that push an intra nos idolatry. Let’s not forget that when the apostle Paul, like the other eyewitnesses of Christ’s resurrection, spoke to the Greek philosophers at Athens, he didn’t spend much time and energy debating religious systems and philosophies. He simply but audaciously proclaimed Jesus crucified and raised from the dead. The objective extra nos resurrection is the key! . . . It is the pivotal point around which all human history turns. . . . Faith clings to the preaching of this historical fact that was done for you and for your salvation. Happy reading! Happy believing! Happy sharing this Good News!”
—Brent W. Kuhlman, Trinity Lutheran Church, Murdock, Nebraska
“Looking for a solid base as you defend your Christian faith? Dr. Almodovar points to the witnessing patterns used by the apostles in Scripture as good examples to follow. They Were Eyewitnesses will clearly show why objective truths outweigh subjective opinions and feelings when sharing the gospel to those God places in our lives.”
—Lois Anderson, President, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Utah-Idaho District
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