Five types of apologetics

Like preaching, apologetics is both a science and an art. It is a science in that it may be researched and analyzed, but it is an art in that it has various forms, varying by artist. Because the stakes of apologetics are so high, many feel it necessary to necessitate their own particular science and artistic flair in regards to defending the faith.

There are four main schools of apologetics. They are as follows; classical apologetics, evidential apologetics, presuppositional apologetics, and fideism.

Classical apologetics places on emphasis on reason and presents the logical soundness and internal coherence of its claims. This approach to defending the faith marshals philosophy and evidences supportive of Christianity. It traces its roots to 2nd Century apologists like Justin Martyr, and its power is in the intellectual heft of adherents such as Thomas Aquinas, BB Warfield, CS Lewis, Ravi Zacharias, and RC Sproul.

Evidential apologetics at its foundation coalesces archaeology, anthropology, history, and science to present its defense of Christianity. As John Montgomery noted, “The facts speaks for themselves,” meaning that the historical and salvific claims of Christ and His Word are irrefutable within the body of evidences existing in the world around us.

Third, there is presuppositional apologetics. This apologetic begins with the assumption that God exists and that the Bible is authoritative. As Cornelius Van Til noted: “Can I see the beams underneath the floor on which I walk? I must assume or presuppose that the beams are underneath. Unless the beams were underneath, I could not walk on the floor.” Presuppositional apologetics means presupposing the truth of Christianity and then uses reason from that point.

Last, there is fideism. This was the apologetic of Martin Luther. Fideism believes that God is known by faith, not reason. It rejects reason and evidence, basing itself on faith alone.

All four of these “sciences” and “arts” are helpful in some respect. It would appear that the Apostle Paul was scriptural in his use of classical apologetics, that Josh McDowell was biblical in his use of evidential apologetics, that Cornelius Van Til offered biblical support for presuppositional apologetics, and that Martin Luther made valid truth claims in fideism. It would seem, then, that the best of each of the four schools of thought could be integrated into a comprehensive apologetic— hence, the fifth apologetic is known as Integrative Apologetics.

In my view, there is validity and verity in each of these four schools. It is our view that because not one particular approach will win each gainsayer, it would seem helpful to become familiar with each of these four schools of apologetics. Just as our generation wrangles about the superiority of expository preaching over every other type of sermon, it would also seem helpful to come to a balanced view of God’s Word regarding apologetics. As preachers and apologists, we find ourselves in a myriad of settings in ministry in which God will use us in varied ways and will require of us adaptability in how we present the truth of His Word.