Question
Miracle and Resurrection Paper Assignment Instructions
Overview
People have serious issues with Christianity. You do not need to be told this, as your experience may have alerted you to this fact long before you studied the alarming cultural trends of Late Modernism or addressed the accusations of intolerance, repression, and exclusivity from a friend in previous conversations. Still, you should be a bit more comfortable and better prepared to deal with these defeaters now; you will turn your attention to another common set of criticisms: the supernatural is a myth, miracles cannot be proven, the Bible is untrustworthy, and resurrection is impossible. Simple enough, yes? This type of philosophical naturalism and its implications are pervasive in Western culture, and the Christian apologist must be prepared to respond. Quoting Scripture at someone who struggles in this area is a non-starter so you will have to rely on your trusty friend the Inside Out method, which will enable you to address criticisms of skeptics like David Hume and work up to the Minimal Facts approach of Dr. Habermas, all while keeping your cool and hopefully winning a friend and a brother or sister in Christ.
Instructions
The friend you were talking to in the Inside Out Essay Paper is more open to Christianity now. However, they are still having trouble believing in miracles in general and the resurrection in particular. In this essay, make the most persuasive case you can to your secular friend. Keep in mind that if they do not believe in miracles, they likely do not believe in the Bible either so quoting verses alone might not help. However, use the Bible as a historical document to argue for the historicity of the resurrection. You must also be aware of your audience as well. Learn to meet them where they are (Inside/Out) and bring them along. Guidelines to follow include:
- Paper length of approximately 1000 – 1200 words (not including title and bibliography pages) submitted in a Word document
- Turabian format (review the Sample Paper for a great guide)
- At least three (3) citations from scholarly/academic sources, in addition to citations from Apologetics at the Cross and the Bible, for a minimum of five (5) references
- Acceptable sources include scholarly journals, books, articles, and other published works
- Have a clear organization and relevant use of academic sources; integrate them in an organic and useful way instead of “tacking them on” to meet a requirement
- Avoid simply stringing quotes together at length, as this is not an effective way to persuade a friend
- Though a hypothetical conversation is used in the prompt, this is still meant to be a formal paper so first-person, and a conversational back-and-forth style are to be avoided.
You are also encouraged to click the Writing Style Guide tab in Blackboard (located on left side of the main screen of the course) which will provide links to the necessary style guides (i.e., APA, MLA, or Turabian) required in formulating your strategic plan.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the SafeAssign plagiarism tool.
Paper Grading Rubric
| Criteria | Levels of Achievement | |||
| Content (70%) | Advanced | Proficient | Developing | Not Present |
| Argumentation | 41 to 45 points All key components of the Paper prompt are answered in the submission. The submission has a clear, logical flow. Major points are stated clearly. | 32 to 40 points All key components of the Paper prompt are answered in the submission. The submission has a clear, logical flow. Major points are stated reasonably well. | 1 to 31 points The Paper prompt is addressed minimally. The submission lacks flow or content. Major points are unclear or confusing. | 0 points Not present. |
| Support | 23 to 25 points Major points are supported by good examples and thoughtful analysis. Scholarly/academic support is thoroughly integrated. | 18 to 22 points Major points are supported by good examples and thoughtful analysis. Scholarly/academic support is present. | 1 to 17 points Major points are not supported by examples or thoughtful analysis. Scholarly/academic support is lacking or rare. | 0 points Not present. |
| Structure (30%) | Advanced | Proficient | Developing | Not Present |
| Grammar and Spelling, Punctuation | 9 to 10 points Spelling and grammar are correct. Sentences are complete, clear, and concise. Paragraphs contain appropriately varied sentence structures. | 7 to 8 points Spelling and grammar have some errors. Sentences are presented as well. Paragraphs contain some varied sentence structures. | 1 to 6 points Spelling and grammar errors distract. Sentences are incomplete or unclear. Paragraphs are poorly formed. | 0 points Not present. |
| Readability/Style | 9 to 10 points Sentences are well-structured and varied. Good transitions are present, and each sentence is well formatted and easy to understand. | 7 to 8 points Sentences are somewhat well-structured and varied. Good transitions are sometimes present, and each sentence is well formatted and easy to understand. | 1 to 6 points Sentences are not all well-structured and varied. Good transitions are not present, and sentences are not well formatted and easy to understand. | 0 points Not present. |
| Format | 9 to 10 points Where applicable, references are cited in current Turabian format. Turabian format is followed regarding Times New Roman, 12-point font, one-inch margins, and correct headings. Word count of 1000 – 1200 words is met or exceeded. | 7 to 8 points Where applicable, references are cited with some Turabian formatting. Turabian format is somewhat followed regarding Times New Roman, 12-point font, one-inch margins, and correct headings. Minimum word count of 800 – 999 words is met. | 1 to 6 points Where applicable, references are minimally or not cited in current Turabian format. Turabian format is slightly followed regarding Times New Roman, 12-point font, one-inch margins, and correct headings. Word count of 1–799 words is met. | 0 points Not present. |
Solution
Miracle and Resurrection
The defense of the Christian faith is an important part of discipleship and evangelism, especially in an increasingly post-Christian America. Thus it is important for Christians to be ready to answer anyone who asks them to give reasons for the hope that they have (1 Peter 3:15). This task’s foundation is “universal logic,” or thinking rules that support “general theism,” with “historical evidence” for the Bible. The gospel message becomes the capstone. Chatraw proposes a way of doing apologetics he calls the Inside Out Approach rather than a rigid or knockout punch system. Here the goal is for both sides to be willing to put the other story on and see how it ‘fits’ experimentally, psychologically, and rationally[1]. This paper will cover a friend who is more receptive to Christianity but still skeptical of miracles in general and the resurrection in particular. Using the Inside Out Approach will entail internalizing a set of questions and using them wisely in conversation. First, it is important to look at what one can affirm (in the other’s story) and what will one will have to challenge. Furthermore, one will consider where the story leads, particularly the historical evidence of resurrection, in this case, its livability and internal consistency[2]. Jesus’ resurrection faces various objections that are the reason non-believers are likely to question it, but numerous historical facts and evidence support the event.
At first, there have been claims that Jesus’ resurrection was a fabrication created by the gospel writers and apostles to support their claims that he was the Son of God[3]. However, Jesus’ burial, which preceded his resurrection, is one historical evidence that early Christians did not fabricate the resurrection of Jesus. He died on the cross and was buried in a tomb by Joseph Arimathea and this story is told in the New Testament by Luke, John, Mark, and Mathew, John, and Mark alongside various letters written by Paul. Mark’s account of Jesus’ contains his story, especially his suffering and death. Mark’s source gives very early information, based on eyewitness testimonies from within seven years of the event. Moreover, as Groothuis states “Paul attests Jesus’ resurrection was proof of God’s authority and the Judgement.”[4]……………for help with this assignment contact us via email Address: consulttutor10@gmail.com
[1] Chatraw, Josh, and Mark D. Allen. Apologetics at the cross: An introduction for Christian witness. Zondervan Academic, 2018.
[2] Chatraw, Josh, and Mark D. Allen. Apologetics at the cross: An introduction for Christian witness. Zondervan Academic, 2018.
[3] Groothuis, Douglas. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011), p. 426.
[4] Groothuis, Douglas. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011), p. 426.