Lots of people question why apologetics is a worthwhile area of Christian study and knowledge. Some see it as puffing oneself up with lofty arguments or academic expertise, as if it’s a compromise with the world versus a spiritual state of being. Since I’ve earned my Master’s degree in apologetics, I have made plenty of friends in the field. I’ve never met an apologist, personally, who in any way wanted to “compromise with the world,” as if the study of apologetics, philosophy, or metaphysics would in some way be a compromise with the world’s system. Sadly, however, this is a perspective that many Christians have: an anti-intellectual attitude that sees academic pursuit as somehow compromising faith with worldly knowledge. That’s a misunderstanding of apologetics.
The actual term, “apologetic,” comes from the Greek word “apologia,” and is used in 1 Peter 3:15, where he encourages believers to: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense[apologia] to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” (NASB). Apologetics is, in essence, case making for Christ.
Apologetics has helped me to counter the argument that faith is blind. I hate that term, “blind faith.” So, what makes someone have faith? Many people think it’s purely a choice based on personal experiences or opinion. But what separates a justified belief from a mere opinion or experience? Faith was never meant to be blind, but should be based on sound reasoning and good inferences.
A Mormon claims a “warming in the heart,” leading to belief in Joseph Smith’s testimony, who claimed to be a latter-day Saint, and wrote another testament. Mohammad said he was the final prophet in the Koran. Unitarians believe all religions are basically the same, and it’s intolerant to claim there is only one way to God. Atheists don’t believe in God. And on and on…
Many beliefs exist, but do they have evidence to back them up? Once thoroughly examined, Christianity remains the most verifiable faith—one that is not simply based on subjective experience or opinion. The Christian religion is based on thousands of ancient historical manuscripts and archaeological finds confirming Biblical records. In addition to physical evidence, there are millions of lives dramatically changed from faith in Jesus Christ. There is the apostles’ personal eye-witness accounts of seeing the Resurrected Christ, and their testimonies have been shown to be reliable. This handful of people were used by God to eventually convert the entire Roman empire to the Christian faith. This is no coincidence… this is truth! All these facts together put the Christian faith in a category of its own: it’s evidentially-based. There are many good reasons to believe.
Some think that apologetics is used to gain the world’s acceptance and is a form of compromise. Apologetics is used to gain the world’s acceptance? I don’t think so. Instead, apologetics is used to correct falsities that discredit the truth of the Bible and what the Scriptures proclaim.
When shown the reasons to believe in the God of the Bible, if a person still vehemently rejects the evidence, there is usually an emotional reason behind it. It could be basic rebellion, as some people hate God’s authority. It could be that they are sinning and want to continue. It could be that they were hurt by the Church or another Christian. Perhaps someone continues rejection of God because a prayer wasn’t answered in the way hoped. There is also a great cultural distrust of authority because, from government to educational institutions and the Church, authority has been abused at times and left a path of pain in its wake. That is an area that we, as the Body of Christ, should continue to work on, giving everyone lots of grace along the way because the Church is full of Christians who make mistakes. The key is to allow God to heal the wounded souls, and ask for forgiveness.
Apologetics is not an area of theology attempting to make God’s Word appeal to the standards set by hostile men. Apologetics is simply providing good reasons for curious questions about Christianity, discussing theodicies (reasons for why God allows evil), and correcting false assumptions about the faith. Apologetics has been going on since Paul’s day, and it should continue until our Lord returns.
Thanks for sharing. This really helped me understand more about Christian Apologetics. Blessings
Thanks, Yvonne, for your comment. I do think apologetics is kind of a hard term, and perhaps one that needs to be clarified. In our very skeptical culture, it does help to know some of the reasons why our faith is true, and give good reasons to those who have honest doubts. There are great reasons to believe, besides our wonderful, personal experiences with God. Blessings, Lisa Q
I like how you define apologetics as making a case for Christ. I would totally agree. I couldn’t help but think of Ravi Zacharias, an apologist, and Bible Teacher. His defense for the gospel is priceless. His teaching and apologetics have enriched my learning and my faith.
Great points you make here in your post.
Hi Marcie! Thanks for your comment. Yes, Ravi Z. is a great apologist, and one of the influencers in my life, too! Bless you, Lisa Q
I have only recently come across the term “apologetics” and love that you’ve written this! So full of truth and and facts. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sydney! Yeah, I didn’t even know what the word meant a few years back, and now I am calling myself one — an “apologist”, that is! (Ha ha ha…) Isn’t that just the way the Lord works? He does bring us down some interesting paths, to be sure. Thanks for reading and your comment!
Bless you, Lisa Q
Thanks for this post, Lisa. Just like it says in the verse you referenced, in the end, everyone who believes should always be ready with a defense. Blessings to you.
Thank you for your comment, Boma. Yes, in a skeptical culture, I think learning some apologetics should be in every Christian’s education.
Love this! I am a firm believer that it takes both belief in what you cannot see and choosing to believe that ALL the evidence God has given us truly does point to Him. My husband and I talk about that very thing. How faith means believing in what you cannot see, but God has not left us without evidence. Thanks so much for this!
Hi Emily! Thanks for your comments. I was one of those Christians who had based my entire Christian faith on experiences with God, knowing nothing of the evidences to back it up. I didn’t know I needed evidence until those in my life starting to ask me questions on why I believed, and chalked it up to personal opinion. I knew it must be more than just “my opinion,” so I eventually began to learn the evidence of the Christian faith. Blessings to you and your hubby! Lisa Q
Interesting information.
Thanks, Melissa!
Apologetics is crucial! God bless!
Thanks, Nancy!
I’m so glad you took the time to teaall demystify apologetics – what it is and how it strengthens faith instead of making it more complex. Thanks for this clear and concise unwrapping of the rationale behind apologetics.
Thanks, Brittany. Personally, my faith has been strengthened by the study of apologetics. I love Holy Spirit experiences and God’s presence – absolutely! But now I also love the knowledge of God, the cognitive truth of our faith, and the reality of Christian evidence. Bless you!