When you hear the word “apologetics” you may be thinking that it means “apologize", as if it is some artful way of apologizing to somebody for your Christian beliefs! However, this is a misunderstanding. The word apologetics actually comes from the Greek word apologia, which means a defense, as in a court of law. In this sense, Christian Apologetics is a field of study that seeks to present rational and logical justifications (cases) for the truth claims of the Christian faith.
Picture of the Apostle Paul preaching to the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers of Greece about "The Unknown God" in Acts 17. In this context, Paul implemented Christian apologetics to make his case for Christ)
To build a strong case for the faith, Christian apologists work in a plethora of fields, ranging from theology, philosophy, archeology, history, biology, astronomy, psychology, biblical studies and many others. Within these fields apologists gain knowledge and evidence to build strong arguments for the Christian worldview. Now, by arguments it is not meaning argumentative or abrasively quarrelsome. Rather argument in this context takes on its philosophical definition meaning: a set of statements (called premises) which lead to a conclusion. With that, Christian Apologetics involves building strong, logical, reasoned arguments for the Christian worldview using evidence from a pantheon of academic disciplines. Now some may say, “No one comes to Christ through arguments.” Or it may be stated that, “Faith is all we need as Christians.” However, the attitude expressed in these statements is shortsighted, mistaken and not biblically based. The Bible clearly teaches that we as Christians are to study, understand, pursue and defend our faith and to refute those ideas and arguments that are against the Faith. Here are just a few Scriptures to enforce this point: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 1:4-5 NKJV) “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 AMPL) “The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”(2 Timothy 2:24-26 NASV) “But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.” (1 Peter 3:15 AMPL) Although these are not all the scriptures, I believe they are sufficient to show that as Christians we can not be lazy students nor can we lead a life of blind faith. These scriptures assert several things that we ask Christians are to do: (1) we are to cast down (refute) arguments that exault themselves against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 1:4-5); (2) we are to be diligent students of God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15); (3) we must not be quarrelsom but gentley correct those in opposition to God (2 Timothy 2:24-26); (4) we must always be ready to give reasons to those who ask about the hope within us and yet do it courteously and respectfully. Apologetics is all four of these. As Christians we can not take a passive approach to the faith and simply say "I believe." We must know what we believe and why we believe it, and then we must continue to study our beliefs so we can articulate it to those who ask or are skeptical.
Why is Christian Apologetics Important? Christian Apologetics is important for 3 main reasons: first it helps in engaging and shaping culture; second it helps strengthen the believer; and third it helps in evangelizing the unbeliever[1]. Let us look at these three points in a little more detail:
Shaping culture. The fact of the matter is that worldviews dominate the world today and only one worldview is going to be on top. In the Western world today Christianity is battling a culture that is liberalized, morally relativistic, religiously pluralistic, and materialistic. In such a backdrop it is imperative that we as Christians understand the wider picture of Western thought and culture. We need to understand worldviews; we need to understand all those “isms” and “istics” that raise their head against the Christian worldview. The gospel is never heard in isolation, it is heard in the backdrop of the cultural milieu in which we live. We must show people that Christianity is intellectually viable and important in shaping culture.
Strengthening believers. Not only is apologetics important in shaping culture but is also strengthens believers in their faith. In short apologetics can strengthen a Christian in having a substance of reasons for what they believe and why they believe it. We must be cautious in not making our Christianity all emotion and no substance – apologetics can build a solid evidential basis for what we believe.
Evangelizing unbelievers. One may not believe that people will come to Christ as a result of good evidence and argumentation, but this is far from the truth. The Bible shows that the disciples used evidences, reason and logical argumentation to draw people to Christ:
(Acts 17) Paul reasoned with the Jews in their synagogues, reasoned with the pagans, reasoned with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers on Mars Hill. Reasoned in these texts is (dialegomai which means 1) to think different things with one's self, mingle thought with thought a) to ponder, revolve in mind 2) to converse, discourse with one, argue, discuss (to discuss in argument or exhortation)
(Acts 2:22-32) The apostles appealed to prophecy, Jesus’ miracles and Jesus’ resurrection are evidence that He was the Messiah.
(Acts 14:17) The apostles appealed to God’s handiwork in nature as evidence of the existence of the Creator when they were confronting a Gentile audience.
(Acts 17:30-31; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8) The apostles appealed to eyewitness testimony of the resurrection to confirm that God had become flesh in the form of Jesus Christ.
In closing, apologetics can be seen as pre-evangelism, in which Christians break down intellectual barriers that keep people from recieving the Gospel message.
[1] The three major points come from: Craig, William Lane. On Guard: Defending Your Faith With Reason and Precision. (Colorado Springs, CO: David Cook. 2010). Pgs 15-24
What is Christian Apologetics?
When you hear the word “apologetics” you may be thinking that it means “apologize", as if it is some artful way of apologizing to somebody for your Christian beliefs! However, this is a misunderstanding. The word apologetics actually comes from the Greek word apologia, which means a defense, as in a court of law. In this sense, Christian Apologetics is a field of study that seeks to present rational and logical justifications (cases) for the truth claims of the Christian faith.
To build a strong case for the faith, Christian apologists work in a plethora of fields, ranging from theology, philosophy, archeology, history, biology, astronomy, psychology, biblical studies and many others. Within these fields apologists gain knowledge and evidence to build strong arguments for the Christian worldview. Now, by arguments it is not meaning argumentative or abrasively quarrelsome. Rather argument in this context takes on its philosophical definition meaning: a set of statements (called premises) which lead to a conclusion. With that, Christian Apologetics involves building strong, logical, reasoned arguments for the Christian worldview using evidence from a pantheon of academic disciplines.
Now some may say, “No one comes to Christ through arguments.” Or it may be stated that, “Faith is all we need as Christians.” However, the attitude expressed in these statements is shortsighted, mistaken and not biblically based. The Bible clearly teaches that we as Christians are to study, understand, pursue and defend our faith and to refute those ideas and arguments that are against the Faith. Here are just a few Scriptures to enforce this point:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 1:4-5 NKJV)
“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 AMPL)
“The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”(2 Timothy 2:24-26 NASV)
“But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.” (1 Peter 3:15 AMPL)
Although these are not all the scriptures, I believe they are sufficient to show that as Christians we can not be lazy students nor can we lead a life of blind faith. These scriptures assert several things that we ask Christians are to do: (1) we are to cast down (refute) arguments that exault themselves against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 1:4-5); (2) we are to be diligent students of God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15); (3) we must not be quarrelsom but gentley correct those in opposition to God (2 Timothy 2:24-26); (4) we must always be ready to give reasons to those who ask about the hope within us and yet do it courteously and respectfully. Apologetics is all four of these. As Christians we can not take a passive approach to the faith and simply say "I believe." We must know what we believe and why we believe it, and then we must continue to study our beliefs so we can articulate it to those who ask or are skeptical.
Why is Christian Apologetics Important?
Christian Apologetics is important for 3 main reasons: first it helps in engaging and shaping culture; second it helps strengthen the believer; and third it helps in evangelizing the unbeliever[1]. Let us look at these three points in a little more detail:
In closing, apologetics can be seen as pre-evangelism, in which Christians break down intellectual barriers that keep people from recieving the Gospel message.
[1] The three major points come from: Craig, William Lane. On Guard: Defending Your Faith With Reason and Precision. (Colorado Springs, CO: David Cook. 2010). Pgs 15-24