Apologetics – Invitation to a book club

The first letter of Peter tells us: “Always be prepared to give an account of the hope that is in you.” (1 Pet 3:15) However, we – clergy and lay people alike – get very little training in how to give either a defence of our faith to those who attack it, or how to offer reasonable explanation of it to those who are confused about what we believe. This is the discipline traditionally known as apologetics, from the Latin apologia – defence.

This is an invitation to a meeting, convened by Doug Chaplin, about forming a book club (or if you prefer more academic framing, a seminar) to read and reflect on Alister McGrath’s new book, Christian Apologetics: An Introduction (Wiley Blackwell, 2023). This preliminary meeting will be mainly to gauge interest, and if there is sufficient interest, set up a group, probably meeting fortnightly (perhaps monthly) on Zoom, and for 9 further sessions – giving one session per chapter.

This seminar might be of particular interest to clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers, but is open to everyone. Participants will need their own copy of the book. You will get more out of, however, if you have at least done the Bishop’s Certificate course. If you are interested in joining this book club, but unable to make this initial meeting, then email Doug Chaplin (doug.chaplin@cofe-worcester.org.uk).

You can read Bishop John’s review of this book here: Book review: Christian Apologetics: An introduction by Alister E. McGrath (churchtimes.co.uk)

To book please click here