Lesson 1- What is Apologetics?

Introduction

The word apologetics can be a bit misleading if it is unfamiliar to you. Don’t worry, we are not learning how to apologize for our faith.

1 Peter 3:15 KJV 1900

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

In the verse above, we see Peter instructing believer to be ready to “give and answer.” This phrase is translated from the greek word apologia which is the root of the word apologetics.

This word literally means to give a defense or a formal justification for something.

Christian apologetics then involves making a strong evidence based case for the truth of the Christians faith.

The Attitude of Apologetics

Notice the closing phrase of I Peter 3:15- “with meekness and fear.” This is a description of the attitude that we should have as we “give an answer.”

When we engage in the defense of our Christian faith, we must do so with meekness (gentleness, humility) and fear (reverence, respect).

“Apologetics is also not the art of making somebody else sorry that you’re a Christian. We can present a defense of the Christians faith without becoming defensive. We can present an argument for Christianity without becoming argumentative.” -William Lane Craig

Many believers are fearful when it come to discussing their faith with unbelievers, but the study of apologetics will provide you with the tools to carry out a civil and respectful conversation based on the evidence.

The better equipped we are to answer the difficult questions unbelievers have about the Christian faith, the more likely it is that we will be able to engage in a productive conversation with them.

Is Apologetics Biblical?

Some people believe that apologetics is unbiblical. These believe that it is unnecessary and that we should simply preach the gospel and wait for unbelievers to respond.

The simple truth is that in order to be as effective as possible, we should both preach the gospel and engage in apologetics. It is a mistake to think that we must do one or the other alone.

Jesus and the apostles would actually serve as a perfect example of this strategy for reaching the lost.

Jesus often appealed to the evidence of fulfilled prophecy and miracles to prove that His claims were true. Examples: Luke 24:25-27, John 14:11

The apostles used this strategy frequently when dealing with unbelievers. They would often use the evidence of fulfilled prophecy, coupled with the evidence of the miracles Jesus performed, and especially the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. Example: Acts 2:22, 25-31, 32

Another great example of this strategy is found in Acts 17:22-31 amidst Paul’s discourse on Mars’ Hill and in Romans 1:20 as well as I Corinthians 15:3-8.

Jesus and the Apostles would not use evidence and argument in place of the gospel, but rather in support of their proclamation of the gospel.

Their proclamation of the gospel was enhanced by the arguments and evidence they provided.

Why is Apologetics Important?

Shaping Culture- Through the evidence and arguments studied in apologetics, we have the opportunity to push back against the secularization of society.

This is a necessity in order to ensure that people are receptive to the gospel and do not immediately dismiss it as mere superstition. If we can provide solid evidence and arguments for the Christian faith, it cannot be dismissed without careful consideration.

Through apologetics, we can shape a culture in which Christian belief is considered a reasonable and rational thing. Our goal is to create an environment where the gospel can be effective.

One of the greatest barriers to faith for many is that Christianity is viewed through the lens of the culture around them and culture often paints the Christian faith as though it were a fairy tale believe only by weak minded unthinking people. Example: Europe

Strengthening Believers- the benefits of apologetics in your personal Christian life are many.

A greater knowledge of the evidence underlying the Christian faith will give you added confidence when sharing your faith with others.

The better equipped you are to answer the difficult questions regarding God and the Christian faith, the better prepared you will be to engage unbelievers in conversations about your faith.

Romans 1:16 KJV 1900

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

You can be bold and not fearful in your witnessing to others of Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV 1900

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Apologetics will also help you to remain steadfast in your faith when faced with doubts or struggles in your personal walk with Christ.

Illustration- child who has never been taught the evidence and arguments underlying the Christian faith, goes off to college and finds himself questioning everything he believes in because he cannot answer the arguments he hears from atheistic professors on campus.

There will be times when what we believe in is questioned. When we have thoroughly studied the evidence in support of our Christian faith we are equipped to dispel any doubts, but if we are not familiar with the evidence, we may have a hard time answering the questions raised.

“When you are going through hard times and God seems distant, apologetics can help you to remember that our faith is not based on emotions, but on truth, and therefore you must hold on to it.” - William Lane Craig

Winning Unbelievers

1 Corinthians 3:5–7 KJV 1900

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Our goal in apologetics is to plant a seed that we hope will ultimately result in an unbeliever coming to faith in Christ.

There are many who would be receptive to the gospel if someone could answer the difficult questions that they have about God and the Christian faith.

For some these unanswered questions are the barrier that has prevented them from coming to faith in Christ. Apologetics is our way of removing this barrier to faith.

Often these deep thinkers will come to faith in Christ once the barriers have been removed and in many cases they develop into bold witnesses for Christ themselves.

Example: C.S. Lewis rejected Christianity as a teenager for both personal and intellectual reasons. However, as an English professor at Oxford in his twenties and early thirties, Lewis was exposed to writers and friends who offered convincing reasons first for theism and eventually for Christianity. Lewis became a Christian and began to use his intellectual and literary talents to articulate and defend a Christian view of the world. He became one of the most influential Christian apologists of his generation. His books have now sold more than one hundred million copies worldwide.

When apologetics is persuasively presented and sensitively combined with a gospel presentation and personal testimony, the Spirit of God is pleased to use it to bring people to Christ.