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Apologetics FoundationWhat?
Apologetics comes from the Greek
word Apologia, meaning “a defense of
conduct and procedure.” Apologetics
is the defense of Christianity. The
Bible verse that apologetics is built upon is 1 Peter 3:15. “But in your heart acknowledge
Christ as the Holy Lord. Always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the
hope that you have. But do this
with gentleness and respect.” Who?
1 Peter 3:15 made it clear that CHRISTIANS should always be prepared
to answer the reason for the hope that dwells in them.
It is the job of every Christians to do this. When? Where?
We should be ready any moment and anywhere to explain the hope that
Christians have in Christ. However,
apologetics should not be used only for the sake of argument.
A Christian main purpose is to evangelize and plant seeds and witnesses
to others our faith in Christ. How?
First, one must accept the Bible as the Word of God and also as the
ULTIMATE standard of TRUTH. One’s
faith must be base upon the Word of God and nothing else including science,
archaeology, and a certain church, etc. Remember
that all things will change (for the worst or for the best) and the only thing
that will remain the same is GOD’S WORD.
If one’s faith in Christ is not centered on the Bible, boy, expect a
fall sooner or later!
The Bible should be use in Apologetics.
The use of God’s Word in apologetics helps in evangelical outreach.
Apologetics using solely human wisdom alone is useless.
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel- not
with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be empty of its power.”
(1 Corinthians 1:17) Therefore the
Bible is critical! “All scripture
is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training
in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Apologetics is a ministry that must be accompanied with the evangelical
ministry. The Bible equipped
apologists would have the maximum effect with God’s Word arming them.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any
double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and
marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
So we have two missions: Evangelism and apologetics.
Apologetics isn’t just for arguments; its best use is when a person
genuinely wants to take the step to Christ but isn’t too sure.
When apologetics is used do not forget the big picture: That of
witnessing our faith! Apologist
Pinnock once wrote, “If our apologetics prevent us from explaining the gospel
to any person, it is an inadequate apologetics.”
Therefore, preaching apologetics alone is useless.
Hostile approach using apologetics is useless also.
We must present apologetics with gentleness and respect. By
Jimmy Li [Edited on December 18, 2001]
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