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Journal of the International Society of Christian Apologetics Vol. 2 No. I 2009 Editor's Introduction 1 Revelation and Reason in Cross-Cultural 5 Apologetics and Missiology David J. Hesse/grave Understanding "If Anyone Says to This Mountain ... " 23 (Mark 11 :20-25) in Its Religio-Historical Context Kirk R. MacGregor Dawkins' Logico-Philosophical Blunder: A Reply 41 to a Dawkins Apologist Hendrik van der Breggen Some Fallibilist Conceptions of Rationality: 49 An Intuitive Approach Thomas A. Provenzo/a How to Make a Case for the Inspiration of 65 Scripture in the Current Milieu Steven B. Cowan Using the Death of Jesus to Refute Islam 87 Michael R. Licona Resources for Discovering the Literary, Conceptual, 111 and Historical Context of the OT Gene Carpenter BOOK REVIEWS 135 o The Dawkins Delusion?Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial ofthe Divine 0 God's Rivals: Why Has God Allowed Different Religions? Insights from the Bible anll the Earlv Chtlrclf Journal of the International Society of Christian Apologetics EDITOR Chad V. Meister Bethel College ADVISORY BOARD Win Corduan, Taylor University (President and Webmaster, ISCA); Gary Habermas, Liberty University (Vice-President); Phil Roberts, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Treasurer); Ergun Caner, Liberty University (Secretary); Steve Cowan, Southeastern Bible College; Douglas Groothuis, Denver Seminary; James Stump, Bethel College; assistant managing editor: David Cramer, Bethel College; design layout and editorial support: Andrew DeSelm, Indiana University South Bend. The Journal of the International Society of Christian Apologetics is a peer-reviewed journal published annu­ ally with the support of the International Society of Christian Apologetics to foster scholarly discussion of ideas among evangelical scholars relevant to the defense of the Christian Faith. It includes articles from a wide variety of apologetically relevant fields, including philosophy, ethics, theology, biblical studies, history, and missions. SUBSCRIPTIONS Journal subscriptions are available to ISCA members and non-members as well. The subscription rate is $25.00 per year for individuals and institutions (ISCA membership includes journal subscription). Student membership is $15.00 per year. For subscriptions being mailed outside the United States add $10.00 to cover additional mailing costs. CORRESPONDENCE All editorial inquiries and correspondence should be sent to: Chad V. Meister Bethel College 1001 Bethel Circle Mishawaka, Indiana 46545 Email: [email protected] Phone: 574.257-3521 Fax: 574.257-3298 INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS (founded in 2006) PURPOSE To foster scholarly discussion of ideas among evangelical scholars relevant to the defense of the historic Christian Faith in accordance with the Doctrinal Statement of the Society. WEBSITE www.isca-apologetics.org/ 1 Editor's Introduction For some time now there have been voices within the church (and without) declaring the death of apologetics as a viable Christian enterprise. Apologetics, it is claimed, is but the relic of the modem era in which it was believed that it is not only possible but also necessary to "prove" the Christian faith. In today's postmodem era, so the argument goes, people simply need to experience the faith personally rather than being argued into it. However, while personal experience is certainly crucial to the faith, there is no reason to think that it must be in conflict with the need for an intellectual assessment of Christian truth claims or even for a defense of them. Indeed, evidence suggests that far from being a dying discipline, apologetics is thriving now more than ever. A simple Google search of the word "apologetics," for example, gamers nearly 4.5 million hits! And apologetics isn't only thriving in online chat­ rooms and blogs; its impact is being felt even at the highest levels of academia. Just last week (from the time this editorial was written) world renown philosophers Alvin Plantinga and Daniel Dennett debated the rationality of theism and naturalism before a room packed full of professional philosophers at an American Philosophical Association meeting in Chicago. Everywhere you look there seems to be a growing interest in questions of faith. If the response to our inaugural issue of JJSCA was any indication of the state of apologetics, then we would have to concur that apologetics is thriving indeed. Since the release of our first volume, we have received a host of top-rate submissions from across the spectrum of academic disciplines. And we're delighted to be able to share some of them with you in this second volume. Missiologist David Hesselgrave begins this volume with an assessment of the need for apologetics in cross-cultural ministry using Japan as a "case study." He calls for a stronger relationship between academic apologists and cross-cultural missionaries. Next, in his insightful discussion of the uses and abuses of Mark 11 :20-25, Kirk MacGregor argues that the traditional understanding of Jesus' saying in this passage can cause believers to question the authenticity of their faith. But according to MacGregor, when understood in context this 2 ISCA JOURNAL passage is not about one's "faith to move mountains" generally but is specifically about proclaiming judgment on the Temple mount. Understood rightly, then, this passage should be no hindrance to one's faith but should encourage Christians to take a stand in faith against corrupt religious institutions. In our third piece, Hendrik van der Breggen assesses the recent philosophical defense by Roger Montague of Dawkins' "infinite regress" argument against the existence of God. Contrary to Montague 's claims to strengthen Dawkins' argument, van der Breggen argues that Dawkins' original argument is so logically fallacious that even Montague 's argument cannot save it. Thomas Provenzo la next discusses whether a belief must conform to Enlightenment evidentialist standards in order to be rational or justified. Provenzola rejects this notion-in a way reminiscent of Reformed epistemology-and argues instead that beliefs may be justified on the basis of a number of grounds, even if those grounds are not themselves infallible. Returning to biblical studies, Steven Cowen next offers a novel defense of the inspiration of scripture using the resources of contemporary critical scholarship. Cowen demonstrates how one can use the generally accepted "authentic" sayings of Jesus to argue from Jesus' claims to deity (and God's confirmation of those claims in the resurrection) to Jesus' claims of scriptural inspiration. If Jesus-the very God incarnate-believed that scripture is inspired, then that provides strong evidence that the Bible is indeed inspired by God. Michael Licona likewise takes a Christological approach in his defense of Christianity against Islam. Licona demonstrates that the grounds Islamic scholars use to deny the death of Jesus are very weak and that, alternately, the evidence for the historicity of Jesus' death is overwhelming. But since Christianity affirms Jesus' death and Islam denies it, the fact of Jesus' death supports the truth of Christianity and refutes Islam. Finally, Gene Carpenter offers an extensive table of Ancient Near Eastern texts and artifacts and discusses how these finds can be used to demonstrate both that the Bible authentically reflects its cultural milieu and that the Bible's message stands out from its culture as truly unique. Carpenter's piece is followed by some book reviews that you will want to check out as well. 3 Based on the contents of this issue, it seems that apologetics is truly alive and well after all. But more importantly, so is the One to whom our apologetics points. Chad Meister and David Cramer 4 ISCA JOURNAL Revelation and Reason in Cross-Cultural Apologetics and Missiology David]. Hesselgrave "Just because he is intelligens, the Christian, of all men, has to discern with agonizing clarity what is conceivable by him about God himself." - Karl Barth1 It had been but a few short years since the end of World War II. Most Japanese young people-a young university student, Nobuko Higashi, among them-were still economically impoverished, physically malnourished and psychologically dispirited. Pastor Nishi was most likely at home because his well-used bicycle stood in its usual place under the overhang of his house. A newcomer at the church, Nobuko Higashi was hesitant as he approached the front door but he managed a guarded "Konnichi wa" and waited. Acknowledging the greeting, the pastor's wife appeared almost immediately and, bowing low and repeatedly, welcomed the young visitor and showed him to a sparsely furnished adjoining room. Gazing down and away, Mr. Higashi resisted her invitation to recline on the colorful pillow Mrs. Nishi placed on the spotless tatami floor. He was still standing when Pastor Nishi entered the room. Adjusting his sash with one hand while extending the other in a downward gesture, the two of them assumed places on opposite sides of a low lacquerware table. Recognizing that his young guest was extremely distraught and nervous, the pastor tried to reassure him by welcoming him both to his home and to his church. Nevertheless, Mr. Higashi sat with a faraway expression on his face seemingly unable either to come to grips with the reality of the situation or to explain the reason for his visit. The entire Journal ofthe International Society of Christian Apologetics, Volume 2, Number I, 2009, 5-22 6 ISCA JOURNAL scenario seemed unreal to Pastor Nishi. He was not a stranger to odd encounters but had not experienced anything quite like this. Despite his quiet assurances, kindly questioning and continued urgings, the younger man sat stoically by, gazing downward and remaining eerily silent. Finally, feigning disgust, Pastor Nishi said, Young man, my wife and I are most happy to have you here in our home, but if you will not tell me what your problem is, I will pray for you and then we must part company. Perhaps you can return on another day when you are feeling better and I can try to help you then.

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