Although Apologetics 315 is a blog, it has accumulated a lot of resources. You need to know how to make the most of these resources. This post will explain 9 ways to use the site most effectively.
1. How to Search the Site
You may be looking for something in particular -- say, a debate with Bart Ehrman. There are a couple ways to do this.
First, you can
use the
search bar on the right column a little ways down the page. Just type in your search (i.e., "Bart Ehrman") and the search results will appear back up at the top of the page.
Second, you can look for
labels. Labels are located on the far right column of the blog. You can search or scroll down and find the label and click it in order to see all relevant posts with that label.
2. How to Download Audio
There are a couple ways to listen to audio that you find posted on the site.
The
first option is to just
click the link to the audio: "Full MP3 Audio here." If you click that link, the audio will (on most computers) open the audio file in your browser and begin to play.
The
second option is to
download the file to your computer for listening or for putting on your MP3 player / iPod. The way to do this (with most computers) is simply to right-click the link and select "save as..." or "download linked file as..." from the menu. Your computer will ask you where you want to download the audio file. Once it has been downloaded, you can listen to it on your computer or load it onto your portable player.
3. How to Use Podcasts
A podcast is basically an automated method of downloading audio to your computer and/or portable audio player. This is probably best done by using the iTunes program (
download here). Here are a couple ways you can get
podcasts from Apologetics315 into iTunes (and eventually your iPod).
First, you can use the
iTunes link. If an iTunes link is provided on this site, it means that clicking it will open your iTunes program on your computer and automatically take you to that particular podcast's page where you can subscribe to it. This is the easiest method, but is not always available.
Second, you can use the
RSS feed. If you see a link that says "RSS feed," here's what you do:
1. Right-click the link for the podcast you want to subscribe to.
2. Click "copy link"
3. Go to iTunes and click on "advanced" in the menu
4. Click "subscribe to podcast"
5
. Paste the copied link into the text box
6. Click "ok" and you will be subscribed to the podcast.
4. How to Use Google Reader
If you have a Google account, you can use
Google Reader to subscribe to Apologetics 315. This makes it possible for you to receive automated updates each day of new content. Here's one way to subscribe to Ap315's feed:
1. Get
Google Reader (if you don't already)
2. Click on the orange
RSS icon (see pic) at the top of Apologetics 315.
3. This takes you to the
feedburner page where you can subcribe via Google Reader.
OR - 4. You can right-click the icon, hit "copy link" and
paste it into your Reader subscription field.
5. How Get All New Featured Audio in Your iTunes
Using a combination of the
Apologetics315 RSS feed and iTunes, you can basically podcast the Apologetics315 featured audio. Just right-click the RSS icon and "copy link" - then follow the second step under "how to use podcasts" above. Any time Ap315 features an individual audio file, it will be automatically downloaded into your iTunes.
6. How to Use Twitter
Apologetics 315 not only uses
Twitter to provide updates to all posts but also to supply an additional quantity of updated apologetics links, resources, MP3 files, and updates of the
Audio Junkie Feed. Anything good (but not awesome enough for a daily post) will be fed to you through the
Twitter feed. The occasional personal note (rare) might show up. Here's what to do:
1. Go to
Twitter.
2. Sign up for an account if you don't have one.
3. Once you have an account, go to
Ap315's Twitter page.
4. Click on "follow" and you will receive updates from Ap315 via twitter.
5. Look around a bit and figure the rest of it out for yourself.
7. How to Use Facebook
Why become a follower on Facebook? For a couple of reasons. First, by becoming a "fan" you show your support of the site and this helps others find the site and the good resources. Second, fans get updates of posts in the news feeds, which can be handy if you don't use Google Reader. Third, you can network and discuss with others who are interested in apologetics from around the world. Fourth, there are other updates that don't occur on the blog.
1. If you have a
Facebook account, simply click on the sidebar graphic (to the right).
2. Once you are at the
Apologetics315 Facebook page, click on "become a fan"
3. That's it.
8. How to Subscribe by Email
If you want daily updates of all blog posts sent directly to you by email, just follow these simple steps:
1. Enter your email address in the "subscribe" form on the right column
2. Click "subscribe"
3. Follow the instructions from there. Quick and easy.
9. How to Recommend Resources
If you have come across some great content that is perfect for this site, please share it. If it is appropriate and good enough quality, Apologetics 315 will consider sharing it through either a blog post, Twitter post, Facebook post, or
audio feed. Here are the sorts of things you can
email and recommend:
• great apologetics blog posts or web sites
• high quality audio links
• links to new apologetics books
(we will also consider reviewing new books)
• podcasts that are helpful
• upcoming conferences, debates, or apologetics events
• breaking news that is relevant to apologetics
By finding and recommending good resources, you help get great apologetics content to others.
Thanks and enjoy.
Apologetics 315 now has a podcast feed specifically for apologist interviews. For the RSS feed, click here. If you have iTunes installed, click here to subscribe to the podcast automatically. Or go right to iTunes and search for Apologetics 315 Interviews. Recent interviews include Frank Turek, Lenny Esposito, Randall Niles, and MaryJo Sharp -- with more interviews to come. Want to suggest an interview? Leave a comment.
Intelligent Design theorist Stephen Meyer and atheist scientist Peter Atkins debate Intelligent Design on this episode of the Unbelievable? Radio program. They also discuss the upcoming UK release of the movie Expelled
with Ben Stein. (Be sure to check out Stephen Meyer's book Signature in the Cell
.) This is an very interesting debate; well worth the listen.
Here is an audio by the late Walter Martin entitled: Reasons for Faith. For those unfamiliar with Walter Martin:
. Other Walter Martin books here. Walter Martin videos here. Check out his MP3 lecture on miracles here. 
Apologetics 315 interviews apologist Frank Turek of CrossExamined.org. Frank has had two debates with Christopher Hitchens which can be found here and here as audio (debate videos here). He talks about his podcast, debates, tips for apologists, an upcoming conference on the 19th of January, and more. 
(highly recommended)
One Minute Answers to Skeptics: Concise Responses to the Top 40 Questions by Charlie H. Campbell is a book intended to provide brief and good answers to common questions raised by skeptics of Christianity. It is dedicated to high school and college age people who are questioning the validity of Christianity as well as those who want to be ready with their own answers for those who ask. 
William Lane Craig presents this talk calling on Christians to be intellectually engaged. Entitled In Intellectual Neutral, this talk can be found in the audio/video section of ReasonableFaith.org. Craig offers three reasons to become fully engaged intellectually in order to impact the culture for Christ. 
(review).
Here is another great resource from Biblical Training: a 29 Lesson MP3 course on Preaching by Dr. Brian Chapell. (See also his book on the topic: Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon
.) This course covers everything from getting started, constructing the parts of the sermon to illustrations, application, and a lot more. (Curriculum PDF here.) Original course link here.
Lewis Wolpert (Emeritus Professor of Biology, University College London) says there is no evidence for God whatsoever and religion finds its origin in tool-making. Russell Cowburn (professor of nano-technology, Imperial College London) is a scientist defending the Christian position.
Apologetics315 had the privilege of interviewing Lenny Esposito of Come Let Us Reason. Lenny produces a great apologetics podcast which can be found here or through iTunes here. His website contains many resources, some 150 articles, and plenty of audio. You can also find Lenny on Twitter and Facebook. For Ap315 listeners, he has graciously provided some special discounts on his resources here.
"For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries."
There is a God: How the World’s Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind
is Antony Flew’s personal biographical account of his intellectual journey from the belief that there is no God to the belief that there is a God. The narrative is both fascinating and very readable. The purpose this review is to provide a brief synopsis and to highlight some of Flew’s reflections.
Amy Orr-Ewing of the Zacharias Trust presents this talk from the European Leadership Forum on the topic Five Postmodern Questions About the Bible. These include:
and Why Trust the Bible?
Antony Flew, British philosopher, Oxford professor, and leading champion of atheism for more than fifty years, honestly followed the evidence and renounced his naturalistic faith in 2004. 
Richard Bauckham presents this lecture in 2007 at Westminster Seminary entitled: The Four Gospels and the Other Gospels: Is Our Canon Right? Bauckham was also a guest on a couple of Unbelievable? radio programs, which can be found on this list. Check out his recent book Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony
as well as his other books here.
Dr. Michael Green at the recent European Leadership Forum presented a talk entitled: The Spiritual Life of an Evangelist. This is from the ELF podcast here.
"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried."
Although Apologetics 315 is a blog, it has accumulated a lot of resources. You need to know how to make the most of these resources. This post will explain 9 ways to use the site most effectively.
use the search bar on the right column a little ways down the page. Just type in your search (i.e., "Bart Ehrman") and the search results will appear back up at the top of the page.
paste it into your Reader subscription field.
As you may know, William Lane Craig's ministry, Reasonable Faith, has launched a new initiative to form local apologetics groups. These are called Reasonable Faith chapters. You can locate these chapters using this directory. Right now chapters are still in the formation process, but if you are interested in forming one, go here to apply.
There are many Bible reading plans to choose from for the new year, but perhaps the best place to start for the most options is the ESV reading plan. They offer multiple reading plans and methods of subscribing, such as RSS feeds, iCal schedules, daily emails, mobile access, and printable plans. The ESV site also allows you to listen to the audio as well.
In looking over the year at Apologetics315, some great posts seem to stand out. This is a sort of year in review for 2009 covering a few things notable.
With the end of the year upon us, please consider supporting some excellent apologetics ministries. Listed here are some that you may consider supporting with your gift.
