Study Guide
Chapter Overview
Scott Hahn argues that the Christian faith is far more than an irrational leap or a fleeting emotional experience. Instead, it is a reasonable, intellectually grounded response to objective truth — requiring both the heart and the mind to work in harmony.
Section-by-Section Reading Breakdown
1. The Challenge of “Dunked for Real”
Hahn recounts a personal story from his freshman year of college, illustrating how faith built only on memory or feeling can be easily shaken by external pressure.
2. The Biblical Defense of Infant Baptism
Hahn argues that the New Covenant did not discard the inclusion of children found in the Old Covenant but fulfilled it.
3. Defining Apologetics and the Call to Reason
Hahn introduces “apologetics” — the theological art of explaining and defending the faith using reason, logic, and history, offered with humility (1 Peter 3:15).
4. The Role of Dogma vs. Secular Skepticism
Without dogma, religion eventually collapses into generalized emotion. Apologetics shows that the dogmas of faith are compatible with reason, even when they surpass its limits.
Key Terms and Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Apologetics | The theological art of explaining and defending the Christian faith using reason, logic, history, and Scripture (from the Greek apologia, meaning a formal defense). |
| Dogma | Officially defined teachings of the Church held as divinely revealed truths; definitive doctrine rather than opinion. |
| Mystagogy | Guidance into the mysteries of faith; leading a person deeper into truths they have already received. |
| Fideism | The erroneous belief that one should rely on faith alone without any engagement of reason. |
| Objective Truth | Truth that exists independently of personal opinion, feeling, or subjective experience. |
| Transcendence | The reality or existence of something beyond the material world. |
Scripture References
| Scripture & Reference | Content / Context | Apologetics Function |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Peter 3:15 | “Always be ready to give a logical defense, yet do it with gentleness and respect.” | The foundational mandate for apologetics; emphasizes a reasoned, humble defense rather than argument for its own sake. |
| Matthew 19:14 | “Let the children come to me, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” | Used to demonstrate that children are rightful members of the Kingdom, providing a basis for infant baptism. |
| Matthew 28:18–19 | “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them.” | Establishes baptism as an authoritative directive and command from Christ, not a feeling-based preference. |
| Acts 2:38–39 | “The promise was made to you and your children.” | Explicit biblical evidence that the promise of baptism and the Holy Spirit extends to the next generation, mirroring Old Covenant inclusion. |
| Romans 1:16 | “For I am not ashamed of the gospel.” | The apologetics imperative to own the gifts of the faith, like dogma, even when they are caricatured by the culture. |
Closing Personal Application Exercise
- Rational Evaluation: Spend 15 minutes identifying one specific doctrine or belief you hold. Write down the reasons why you believe it — looking for evidence in scripture, history, or logical reasoning rather than just how it makes you feel.
- Distinguish Foundations: The next time you experience a spiritual dry spell, list three objective truths about God that remain true regardless of your current mood.
- Intellectual Commitment: Choose one resource — a book of theology, a historical study, or a philosophical essay — to read to help move your faith from a feeling to a way of knowing.