Inside Out Method Paper Assignment
Joseph R. Marks
APOL220-B01: Introduction to Apologetics
June 19, 2023
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There has been a general historical shift that has moved our culture from pre-modernism
through modernism to arrive at the post-modernism culture of today. The gospel message is true
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for all people and should be the standard by which all cultures should be assessed. But the gospel
message was revealed in a particular culture, and whenever it is shared, it is translated into the
language and thought forms of the culture it is being shared in. For the scriptures say, “All
Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is
wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses
it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (Holy Bible, New Living Translation
Version, II Timothy 3:16-17).
According to Alister McGrath, “it is crucial for us in the pluralistic age we live in to
recognize that “we cannot simply treat all those who dislike or reject Christianity as being one
homogeneous group.” No two people have the exact same reasoning they reject Christianity, and
as a result, no two people will find the same arguments for accepting Christianity equally
persuasive.2 Therefore, to understand how the assumptions of those who disagree with the
principles of Christianity are formed, we must first examine their culture plausibility structure.
The term culture plausibility structure refers to the beliefs we deem plausible because the people
around us support them. As apologists, it is vital that we understand culture plausibility
structures. Many people we may encounter today, just like people in Paul’s day, will have
rejected Christianity based on misunderstandings and false portrayals of faith, and it will be
important for us to be able to clear up those misunderstandings. As apologists, it is important to
1 Josh Chatraw and Mark D. Allen, Apologetics at the Cross: An Introduction for Christian Witness Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018.
2 Alister McGrath, Grand Rapids, MI: Mere Apologetics: How to Help Seekers and Skeptics Find Faith,
