« C’est mon affaire que ta conversion ». Apologétique et conversion au XIXe siècle

Abstract

With its success and its failures, the XIXth century was undoubtedly the century of apologetics. In front of challenges of the development of historico-critical exegesis and the progress of science, Christians were convinced that the existence of the Christianity, even the religion generally, was at stake, and its defenders were made legions. Each option apologetic, each place of combat chosen by the apologists is an indicator for the historian: apologetics provides a useful perspective for understanding the relationship between Christianity and culture, it is an interface that has for horizon the conversion. Individual conversion is certainly central to any apologetic method. « It is my affair that your conversion », could repeat the apologist. But is the conversion the purpose of apologetics ? To ask the question is already suggesting that this evidence can be discussed – as shown in this article through Christian apologetics in the second half of the XIXth century

Keywords

• apologetics
• Auguste Nicolas (1807-1888)
• Christianity
• conversion
• science and faith