The word “apologetics” came from a Greek word “apologia” which is a term used for legal defense during the time of the apostle Paul. It is also a derivative of the Greek apologetikos which means “suitable defense.”
In the context of Christianity, apologetics, is a formal defense argument of it’s theological system surrounding Jesus and His word.
Christian Apologetics, on the other hand, is the branch of theology[*] that is concerned with defending or proving the truth of the Christian faith and the Holy Scriptures against anything that opposes it.
The Greek word apologia (Strong’s 627) has also been used as “defense,” “answer,” and “to clear” in following Bible passages: Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Corinthians 9:3; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Philippians 1:7, 16-17; and 2 Timothy 4:16.
Also Jude 3 reads,
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Paul in his letter to the Philippians (1:7) write,
It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
In Peter’s First Epistle (3:15) also write,
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Making Christian Apologetics a way of life for every believer.
So, whether you answer to a simple question or whether you defend or earnestly contend regarding the heavy theological stuffs of the Christian faith, you are doing apologetics.
Christian Apologetics’ Two-fold Methods
- Classical/Evidential – in this approach the evidentialist appeals to human reason and evidence and in accordance to the terms of the non-believer’s premise. The apologist thus, is in the the playing field of the non-believer.Example of Classical Apologetics: A skeptic challenged a christian, “Prove to me that there is a god” The christian replied, “Just look at the wonder of the physiology of man, if there is a design, there must be a Designer.” “Nope,” the skeptic objected, “That’s the product of evolution.” “Okay,” said the christian, “Look at how the Scripture is preserved and look at its accuracy and unity.” The skeptic said, “You can’t use the Scripture as your evidence because I don’t believe in it.” The christian returned to his original argument, “If there is an effect there must be a cause and God is the First Cause.” “Surely there are exceptions to the rule and the ‘Big Bang’ is one of them,” concluded the skeptic. And so on…
- Presuppositional – in this method the apologist confronts the skeptic’s faulty premise or philosophical bias. The presuppositionalist understands the fact that the total depravity of the skeptic makes it impossible for the classical approach to work (Rom. 8:7). So the apologist takes the non-believers out of his playing field.Example of Presuppositional Apologetics: An skeptic challenged a christian, “Prove to me that there is a god.” The christian replied, “What kind of evidence do you need to be convinced?” “Why do you ask me?” The skeptic retorted, “The burden of proof belongs to the Theists like yourself.” “Well,” said the christian, “You were asking for a proof, so I asked you what kind of proof do you require from me.” “The irrefutable proof that God exists,” said the skeptic. “What is irrefutable proof to you?” Asked the christian. “Scientific ones,” the skeptic answered back. So the christian returned, “Using science, can you prove Napoleon existed? And so on…”
Apologetics can be in the “offensive” as well. A good example of this would be what Apollos did in Acts 18:24-28. There he went into the turfs of the unbelieving Jews. But you might be thinking, “I thought apologia is a defense? How come I am told to use it in the offensive?”
Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5,
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Which is in perfect harmony with what Christ commanded for us to do in Matthew 28:19-20,
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
In the hope of bringing skeptics to Christ, we must be prepared (should the situation arise) to expose false religions, weed out deceptive philosophies, and speak teachings that are well founded in the Word.
By involving yourself in Christian Apologetics please be reminded to focus on the essentials of the Christian faith.
Notes:
[*] What is Christian Theology? Theology came from the Greek word, theologia. It is the derivative of the Greek theo which means God, and logia which means “learned,” “cultured,” and yes, “divine revelations.” Theology came to be known as the science of God. Christian Theology therefore is the science of God derivable from the Judeo-Christian Scriptures (The Holy Bible).All Scripture quotes from the KJV (1611).