The What and Why of Apologetics

What is Apologetics?

The word “apologetics” comes from the Greek word apologia, pronounced, “ap-ol-og-ee’-ah.”  It is used numerous times in the New Testament, but the verse most commonly cited, and most relevant to the enterprise of apologetics, is 1 Peter 3:15.

Always be ready to give a defense [apologia] to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.

The verb form of this word, apologeomai, means: to make a defense.  Here we are speaking particularly about a defense of the Christian faith, though the word can and does apply in other contexts.  The evangelist is one who is in the business of advancing the message of Christianity.  The Christian apologist is one who is in the business of defending its claim to truth.

Anyone who has tried to share the gospel has certainly met with resistance.  This may include such questions as, “How can I trust that the Bible is not corrupted?” or “How do I know your religion is the right one?” or “Why would God provide just a single narrow path?”  Perhaps the resistance may take a more passive form (especially so in modern times) with statements such as, “That’s just your truth” or “I’m glad you found something that works for you.”  Scripture indicates that we should be ready with an answer when we meet these inevitable challenges lest our message fall on deaf ears.

Biblical Support

Besides the injunction found in 1st Peter, there are several other places in scripture that make the case for a deliberate, reasoned defense of the faith.

In Jude 1:3 we are exhorted to “contend for [or ‘struggle for’, epagoridzo] the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all.”

In Philippians 1:16 Paul reveals that he is “appointed for the defense [apologia] of the gospel.”

In 1 Thessalonians 5:21 we are admonished to “test all things.”

In Philippians 1:7 Paul considers the Church to be “partners with me … in the defense [apologia] and establishment of the gospel.”

In Titus 1:9 Paul recommends that an elder be “able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute [that is, ‘to speak in response to or against’, antilego] those who contradict it.”

And, perhaps the most dynamic statement is found in 2 Corinthians 10:4, where we are charged to “demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

Examples In Scripture

There are numerous places in the earliest Church where we can see apologetics in action.  Paul put himself before many diverse people in his attempt to share the gospel.  In each case he communicated with them according to their established beliefs and understanding.  But a common theme emerges from his approach: you will often find such statements in Acts as, “he reasoned [that is, ‘he discussed or argued,’ dialegomai] with them,” or “persuaded [that is, ‘tried to persuade’] them,” or “some were persuaded.”  (See Acts 13:43; 17:4,17; 18:4; 19:8; 26:28; and 28:24)

In Acts 17:2 and 28:23 you see him reasoning with or trying to persuade the Jews from the scriptures.  Of course, he was free to pursue this tactic, since these Jews already knew the scriptures and regarded them as a source of authority.

In Acts 17:11 Paul commends the Beroeans, who “examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so,” for being open-minded, yet careful thinkers.  Of course, this implies that he was giving them food for thought.

While it was usual for Paul to begin, in a new town, by share the gospel in the local synagogue (Acts 13:46, 17:2, 18:19, 19:8), in Acts 19:9 we see him conducting daily discussions in the [public] lecture hall of Tyrannus.

In Acts 17:18 he engages in debate with both Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, which succeeds in winning their respect and curiosity.

Acts 17:22 begins his famous discourse at the Areopagus (Mars Hill) before the most prominent Greek thinkers and philosophers of the day.  He manages to sustain a hearing with them up to the point where the resurrection is introduced.

And in 1 Corinthians 15 Paul recounts the evidence of those who were eyewitnesses to the resurrection, and advances a chain of reasoned arguments.  When he says that Jesus appeared to over 500, “most of whom remain to the present,” there is a sense that he is inviting his readers to go and check it out for themselves.

Since the work and message of Jesus represents a good deal of the substance of our faith, His apologetics takes on a different focus.  It is His own divine authority and message that Jesus is challenged to defend, which He does by reference to the testimony of Moses and the prophets.  The many “signs and wonders” that He performed – and particularly the resurrection – serve as ultimate confirmation.

In addition, we certainly find Jesus’ style and manner to be reasoned and shrewd, which leads liberals and skeptics alike to view him, at minimum, as a philosopher.  Some notable examples of this can be found in scripture, beginning at the following: Mark 12:13; John 8:4; Luke 5:20, 13:15; Matthew 12:3, 12:11, 12:25, 21:24, 22:23, 22:41.

Even in the incident with Thomas (John 20:24), where we are most likely to perceive that Jesus is scolding us for requiring proofs, we see Him freely offering them up.  He does not actually condemn Thomas, but simply notes that an eyewitness testimony has resulted in belief.  When Jesus says, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing” we should not take this to mean that he is disparaging evidences and critical discernment; He is simply foreshadowing the predicament of the future Church.  Since we are unable to “see,” we are left with the witness of those who have seen.  It is Thomas’ rejection of the unanimous testimony of his trusted friends that is at issue here.  While the gospel is that historical testimony, apologetics is that thing which fosters an assurance that it is indeed trustworthy.

And we mustn’t forget that much of the nature of God is revealed in the Old Testament as well.  Here, we see God demonstrating his presence, power, and promises at every turn.  Miraculous evidences are delivered in order to validate His authority and commands.  God’s purpose in this can often be seen in some variation of the phrase, “that you may know that I am LORD.”  (See Exodus 6:7, 7:5,17, 8:10,22,29, 10:2, 14:4,18, 16:12, 31:13; Deuteronomy 4:35, 29:6; 1 Kings 20:13,28; Jeremiah 44:29; Ezekiel 6:14, 7:27, 11:10, 12:20) 

In Joshua 24:1-15 he gives a call to faithfulness, recounting all that God had done for them to bring them into the Promised Land, even reminding them what they had witnessed with their own eyes that God had done to the Egyptians.  And much the same theme can be found in Psalms 78, 81, and 105.

Never do we see a call to obedience and worship grounded merely on an appeal to isolated faith, it is always set in the context of historical actions and objective knowledge; and God has given us an ample and defensible testimony of these things in which we are to invest our faith.

Why Apologetics?

As a present believer untroubled by matters of doubt and faith, one may be tempted to ask: “Why should I be concerned about apologetics?”  Here are six answers to that question.

1) Because scripture commands it.  The case for this has already been made above.  For those who regard scripture as authoritative this should be reason enough, but, like every Biblical principle, there are also rational and practical reasons for compliance.

2) To fortify the Body of Christ.  A more robust knowledge of the grounding and reasonability of one’s faith can only serve to strengthen it.  Additionally, apologetics will make us more bold and confident witnesses by allowing us to anticipate objections and arm ourselves with the answers.  And a better understanding of the historic, philosophic, and scientific evidences will keep us from yielding to the temptation of separating our faith from reason.

3) To better articulate the Christian worldview.  One of the apologist’s tasks is to define Christianity and the Christian worldview for the unbeliever.  Since apologetics seeks to make sense of the world in light of the Christian model (or demonstrate that it better fits the Christian framework), its exercise necessarily permeates all areas of thought.  For this reason apologetics both fosters and demands a comprehensive approach to life and learning.  There is a seamless connection between Christianity and such disciplines as mathematics, physics, biology, psychology, sociology, and economics.  Christ, who created and sustains all that is, isn’t absent from any of these domains of inquiry.  Elaborating a Christian worldview will have an apologetic impact, and doing apologetics well will in turn serve to elaborate a Christian worldview

4) To aid in the task of evangelism.  The work of apologetics is often termed “pre-evangelism,” as it serves to till the soil on which we spread the seed of the gospel.  Misconceptions and smokescreens need to be swept aside before the actual message can gain a hearing.  Apologetics provides the tools to do so, and can assist one to craft a witnessing approach that takes this into consideration.

5) To sustain a hearing in the marketplace of ideas.  There are many high profile, vocal critics of the Church who would like nothing more than to banish it to an intellectual reservation.  In fact, due to many unfortunate trends, we have lost much ground in recent history to the extent that many Christian academics are embarrassed to disclose, much less apply and defend their beliefs. The well trained Christian apologist can work on the front lines to help silence the critics and recapture the intellectual high ground.  As C.S. Lewis said, “Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.”

6) To be “salt” in the world.  The apologist is one of the first lines of defense against the attempted inroads of an increasingly secular culture.  As Christians, we are called to be both salt and light in the world.  That part of our culture that will not be transformed by the light of the gospel may at least be preserved from decay by the salt of rational and moral clarity.  Apologetics can equip individual believers to join in the debate “over the backyard fence,” in the words of Chuck Colson, in such areas as ethics, politics, education, and the arts.

No soul is won by argument alone; there are clearly other issues at stake, like moral and volitional barriers.  Even though we acknowledge that the Holy Spirit ultimately reaps the harvest, God is surely best honored by a clear, reasoned, and literate presentation of the gospel and all things pertaining to it.