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Why does Dr. Groothuis use the “cumulative case” as his apologetic method for Christianity?
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I think he uses the ‘cumulative case’ to show how much we need God. He shows the progression of sin in our lives and how God changes this.
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The “cumulative case” involves several truths which build on each other and work together to defend Christianity. For example, we cannot just begin with talking about Jesus. If people have false understanding of Who God is and why/how He created the world, how can we expect them to develop faith in Christ? Dr. Groothuis lists these claims as vital to faith in Christ: 1) the origin of the world, 2) the nature of the world, 3) history, 4) the human condition, 5) Jesus. These claims must be stated in a cumulative manner so as to reach the ultimate goal of leading people to faith in Christ.
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Only Christianity has so much evidence to support the claims of Christ. Only Christ has an empty tomb. Only Christ can claim He is divine in nature.
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Because, Dr. Groothuis sees Christianity from three different aspects that build up a strong evidence of Christianity when they are shown.
The intimate relationship with God, the Bible, the faith and the hope
The evidence that supports Christianity historical truth, and miracles.
The evidence of a change in the life of the people who accepts Jesus as his savior making it real and meaningful. -
It is natural for humans to have doubts; we see this with Thomas and the man who asked Christ to help his unbelief. The cumulative case method does not simply look at one and ignore the other; instead, it looks at the physical evidence found in science as well as historically–it is comprehensive with various facts from both.