Build an Argument That Can Be Examined
Christianity does not stand or fall on one argument. We can build a cumulative case using several lines of evidence that support one another.
These may include:
The universe had a beginning.
The universe appears designed for life.
Objective moral truths exist.
Human beings have reason, consciousness, and value.
The New Testament provides historical testimony about Jesus.
The resurrection best explains what happened after Jesus’ death.
Think of it like a puzzle. One piece will not show you the entire picture. But as the pieces come together, the picture becomes clearer.
Not every argument will persuade every person. That is okay. The goal is to show that Christianity provides a strong explanation of reality as a whole.
So, keep in mind…
An argument is not a fight. It is a conclusion supported by reasons.
Start by writing your main claim in one sentence. Then ask, “Why should someone believe this?” Your answers become the premises supporting your conclusion.
A basic argument looks like this:
Premise: A reason you believe the claim.
Premise: Another relevant reason or piece of evidence.
Conclusion: What follows if those premises are true.
Then test it. Are the premises actually true? Does the conclusion follow from them? Are you assuming something you have not defended?
Review the Laws of Logic, then use the Argument Analyzer to examine your reasoning.
Practice: Write one three-line argument and identify its conclusion, supporting reasons, and hidden assumptions.