AN INTRODUCTION TO APOLOGETICS

WHAT IS APOLOGETICS?

The word "apologetics" sounds a bit like someone who is apologizing for having done something wrong. But that is not what apologetics is about. The word apologetics is a compound word coming from two Greek words:

1. Apo: From.

2. Logikos: Reasonable.

Apologetics is the study that gives reasons for the Christian faith. It asks the question, "Why do you believe what you believe?"

The Bible teaches that we ought to have reasons for our faith.

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:14-16).

There are several observations that we can make from this passage:

Christians are called to make a Defense.

Notice the words in verse 15: Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.

The Greek word translated "defense" it the word apologia. It is the same word from which we derive our English term "apologetics." It is a defense of the faith. It refers to the reasons why we believe what we believe.

The New Testament uses this term a number of times:

Acts 22:1. "Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you."

Philippians 1:16 ...I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

We are to be in a state of Readiness.

The time to go looking for answers to why you believe is not when you are challenged by a skeptic. You are to already be in a state of readiness.

I have worked an entire career as a fire fighter. We train and we study and we prepare our equipment to be ready to respond to an emergency. You would not be very impressed if the fire alarm rang for an emergency and the fire fighters rushed to open a book entitled, "Essentials of Fire Fighting." They are expected to be ready to respond.

In the same way, Christians are called to be ready to respond to anyone who asks us a reason for the hope that is within us.

This verse calls for EVERY Christian to be ready on EVERY occasion to give an answer to EVERY man who asks for the reason of our hope.

The Bible addresses, not only our ability to respond, but also the attitude with which we are to respond. Verse 15 says that we are to respond "with gentleness and reverence." We are not called to hit people over the heads with the truth or to be obnoxious with the truth. Instead we are to be examples of the love of Christ and the patience of God, even when we are wronged.

We are to live the sort of lives that provide evidence of the power of the Gospel at work in us. Peter says to keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (3:16).

No one should ever be able to point to our sinful behavior and say, "If that is what it means to be a Christian, then I want no part of it."

On the other hand, when we do sin, it becomes an opportunity for us to repent and to share with others the forgiveness that we have found at the cross. Being a Christian does not mean that you are perfect; rather it means that you are perfectly forgiven. We are simply beggars telling other beggars where we have found bread.

Apologetics has been likened to a field. In the center of the field is a wonderful garden. The door to the garden is Jesus and the path to the door is the gospel. Apologetics involves pointing people to the path and removing all of the rocks, the thorns and the other obstacles along the way that prevent people from taking that path.

The problem is that there are also false paths. They are the false religions, the cults and the other world views. Apologetics also involves informing people who are on those paths that it is a road with a deadend. This brings us to the offensive nature of apologetics.

THE OFFENSIVE NATURE OF APOLOGETICS

Apologetics is not only defensive in nature. Although Peter describes it here in terms of giving a defense of the faith, we ought to understand that apologetics also is offensive in nature -- it agressively upholds the truth.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

We are involved in a battle. You are on the front lines of the conflict. The weapons that are wielded are not of the flesh, but they are nevertheless real and powerful. They are spiritual weapons of truth and faith.

We are called to tear down false speculations of God. There are a lot of speculations about God and we are to be challenging them.

This is not easy. We live in an age where toleration is worshiped above all else. The only view that is not tolerated is the view that there is only one correct view.

But Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6). He did not merely say that He was one way among many. He said that He was THE way and that any other ways would not work.

WHY DO WE NEED APOLOGETICS?

We are commanded to be able to give a defense of the faith to anyone who asks us (1 Peter 3:15). As such, is serves as a useful tool in both evangelism as well as in pre-evangelism.

It is through the use of apologetics that people are sometimes brought to the point where they are able to believe. This is necessary because the heart cannot trust what the mind does not affirm.

Apologetics helps to strengthen the faith of believers. Most of us have times when we question and doubt what we believe. Apologetics gives us a foundation and a reinforcement to our faith

In this regard, apologetics are also helpful in giving a renewed boldness to the believer.

Apologetics are necessary because there are so may false teachings that vie for people's attention. Apolagetics are able to affirm the faith as well as to stop the objections and attacks of those who are attempting to assault the faith.

A proper use of apologetics shuts the mouth of the unbeliever from accusing Christianity of being intellectually foolish.

THE LIMITATION OF APOLOGETICS

Apologetics cannot save anyone. Only Christ is able to do that. Apologetics is simply a tool to point people to Christ.

This is important to know. You cannot argue anyone into the Kingdom. You might win the argument, but lose the person.

LOGIC IN APOLOGETICS

Everyone uses logic in the course of their decision-making. Some use it more than others.

The Christian has a rationale for the use of logic because He believes in the God who made logic and who is Himself logical.

Opponents of Christianity also attempt to use logic. Here is an example of how one might try by logic to disprove God's existence.

Proposition: God can to all things.

Argument: Can God make a rock so big that He cannot pick it up? If He cannot make a rock that big, then He cannot do all things and if He cannot subsequently pick it up then He cannot do all things.

Conclusion: Since God can do all things and since there are some things that He cannot do, He must not exist.

This is an argument that is based upon a faulty premise. The truth is that the Scriptures tell us that there are a number of things that God cannot do.

God cannot lie

God cannot sin or be tempted by sin

God cannot change

Thus instead of saying that God can do all things, we ought to say that God can do all things that are not contrary to His nature.

On the other hand, there can be an appropriate use of logic to demonstrate the existence of God.

The universe exists.
The universe cannot be infinitely old or else it would have long since reached a state of complete entropy. Entropy is described in the Second Law of Thermodynamics that states all things are moving toward random and decay. Clocks wind down; teeth decay; wood rots; rocks erode. Everything eventually wears out.
The universe is not in a state of entropy, so therefore it is not infinitely old.
If the universe is not infinitely old, then it must have had a beginning.
The universe could not have brought itself into existence. This is a simple mathematical equation: 0+0=0.
Something that existed prior to the universe had to bring the universe into existence.
That something is God.

EXCUSES IN THE FACE OF EVIDENCE

There are some people who will not believe despite any evidence that you will present. Indeed, the Bible teaches that apart from the working of the Holy Spirit, NO ONE will believe. Most excuses for disbelief can be summarized under one of several headings:

1. Ignorance.

This is only a valid excuse until the point that a person is given information about God. After that, we are not dealing with ignorance, but with willful rejection.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. (Romans 1:18-19).

Notice that all people have been given this revelation from heaven. This means that the unsaved person by his very nature tends to suppress the truth that God has given, even though that truth is otherwise evident.

2. Pride.

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, 29 that no man should boast before God. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

We do not read that there are not ANY of the mighty or noble or strong who come to Christ. But as a rule, those who are mighty or noble or strong feel that they have no need of Christ.

3. Moral Reasons.

And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. (John 3:19-20).

People will often reject the evidence for Christ, not because of any lack in the evidence, but because they have a vested interest in unbelief. They do not want the Christian faith to upset their lifestyle. It is like the little boy who prayed, "Make me to be a better boy, but not yet."

Some have attempted to overcome this objection by watering down the need for repentance. It is taught, "Just believe in the facts of the gospel and you will be saved." But Jesus preached a gospel that saved sinners from their sins. On the one hand, we do not teach that a person must clean up his life before coming to Jesus. But the person who comes to Jesus is coming to One who promises to save you from your sins. He loves you just the way you are, but He also loves you too much to leave you the way you are.

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About the Author

Note: Some of this material was adapted from Matt Slick's excellent work on Apologetics as found at CARM.org, a website devoted to Christian Apologetics Resource Ministry.

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