“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,” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)
Consider this scenario: a church member or student in youth ministry approaches you after the service concludes. They recently came across some online post (or YouTube video) that claims to show that the Christian faith is inconsistent or irrational. Maybe this encounter is the first they have ever had with arguments against the Christian faith and they are shocked at the evidence mounted. They are looking at you to provide some answers to help make sense of the perceived weakness in the faith.
How would you respond? Does this task seem daunting to you?
The church and its leaders should not shy away from apologetics but utilize it as a powerful tool for discipleship within the church and evangelism outside the church.
This is nothing new. Arguments against the validity of the Christian faith have been around since biblical times. What is new is the medium and rhetoric through which these arguments are now presented in the 21st century.
But, criticisms against the Christian faith are commonly encountered by the everyday Christian. Christians are often around unbelievers who are their coworkers, friends, neighbors, classmates, or even family members. For some, their first encounter with these persuasive arguments against the Christian faith can be jarring or even a shock to their Christian worldview. Apologetics can help provide intellectual security for one’s faith or reassurance that there are answers to opposing retorts.
The church and its leaders should not shy away from apologetics but utilize it as a powerful tool for discipleship within the church and evangelism outside the church.
What is apologetics?
There are many different definitions of “apologetics” that you can find in various books and resources. At its core, apologetics is the method and manner in which we demonstrate the reasonableness/validity and the attractiveness of the Christian faith. Like a lawyer seeking to demonstrate that his side is correct, the apologist seeks to defend the tenets of the Christian faith against opposing arguments.
Christian apologetics presents arguments that utilize scientific evidence, theological reflection, and philosophical reasoning. Apologetics is not one discipline, but often a combination of different disciplines brought together for the singular purpose of building a comprehensive case for the reasonableness and attractiveness of Christianity.
However, apologetics is not merely the lively debate of formal arguments between the Christian and unbeliever. The attitude and presentation of apologetics is also of significant importance. 1 Peter 3:15 notes that the defense of the Christian faith must be done “with gentleness and respect….” The substance and details behind an apologetic argument are important but not at the expense of displaying Christ’s love and compassion.
Finally, it is important to remember that while apologetics may often make reference to the gospel, it is not the gospel itself. The gospel is the unique good news of Jesus Christ’s humanly incarnation, death on the cross, and subsequent resurrection on the third day. Apologetics can help argue for the truthfulness of these claims but is no substitute for the saving power of the gospel itself.
Why does apologetics matter?
There are three primary areas that highlight the importance of apologetics: for you personally, for the local church, and for the unbeliever.
1. For yourself
First and foremost, apologetics is for you as a means of encouragement in your personal faith. Apologetics can help you face personal doubts and reassure yourself of the truthfulness and reality of the gospel.
It is important to remember that apologetics is first a tool for your edification so that you will not fall into the mindset of wielding apologetics like a weapon to prove unbelievers wrong.
2. For the local church
Apologetics is not only beneficial for the individual but also a great discipline of study to encourage and instruct the local church. Your church members are not immune to the arguments as they use social media and interact with those outside of the church.
They will inevitably encounter opposition to the Christian faith and it would be better to consider these questions and answers with their pastors and church leaders.
3. For the unbeliever
After the individual and the local church, apologetics then extends to the unbeliever as both a defense for the Christian and a tool for evangelism.
Some unbelievers have legitimate intellectual questions that are barriers to belief. Thus, apologetics can help in evangelism by dismantling those barriers and providing openings for gospel reception.
Apologetics can sometimes be a forgotten Christian discipline. Its benefit to the individual, the local church, and the unbelieving world can be immense. However, apologetics must still be done well and in a spirit of gentleness and love. To this end, may your church raise up a new generation of Christian apologists who are passionate about the gospel and ready to defend the faith.
Eddy Wu is a Ph.D. student at Southeastern Baptist Theology Seminary and works as the IT Operations Manager. His interests include Apologetics, Technology, A.I., and Asian culture. He enjoys teaching and mentoring the youth at his church. He is married to Erica, and they have two beautiful and crazy children
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