Monday, August 24, 2026

Book: Contending for Christ Through the Creed: Apologetics for Loving Answers on the Christian Faith

Holy Scripture directs all Christians to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). 

Unfortunately, all too often the Christian resorts to defensiveness that amounts to becoming contentious, which is contrary to the way of Jesus Christ. Engaging for Christ requires both gentleness and respect (1 Pet 3:15). 

But where to begin? In this unique approach to cultural apologetics, Alfonso Espinosa employs the outline of the ancient Apostles’ Creed. Creedal organization not only demonstrates the timeless and enduring relevance of the Christian faith, but it also puts forth a logical and systematic approach to Christian apologetics. Such a method is first immensely personal since the Creed begins with “I believe.”

At the same time, however, it does not perpetuate the hyper self-centeredness of our age but presents the outward orientation to consider the importance of creation, Christ-centered salvation, and the churchly context of the work of the Holy Spirit. 

In all this apologetic clarification, important answers to the faith once delivered are offered so that comfort is had not in religious ambiguity and subjectivism, but rather in the objective foundation of truth that endures, truth that we can contend for. 

Chapters:

Introduction: Contending While Loving

Part I: Contending for the Faith According to the First Article of the Creed

     1. Contending for Identity: “I”
     2. Culture and the Old “I"
     3. Contending for the Father
     4. Contending for the Creator

Part II: Contending for the Faith According to the Second Article of the Creed

     5. Contending for Jesus Christ of Real History
     6. Contending for Jesus, God Who Die
     7. Contending for Jesus, the Death of Death
     8. Contending for Jesus, the Keeper of Promises Coming Again

Part III: Contending for the Faith According to the Third Article of the Creed
     9. Contending for the Holy Christian Church
   10. Contending for Our Same Bodies Raised
   11. Contending for the Life Everlasting

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