This book is affectionately dedicated to our wives, Barbara and
Theresa, who have lovingly and patiently supported us through the
years. We are especially grateful for their encouragement during the
writing of this book.
We want to give special recognition to Brad Adams, who
worked diligently on the initial grammatical edits and the creative
scenarios in the manuscript to help prepare for the publisher. We
are also grateful to Steve Strimple of Santa Fe Christian Upper
School and Steve Keels for their helpful suggestions in producing a
manuscript that is both practical and meaningful.
Finally, we wish to express our appreciation to Gary Terashita
and those at Broadman & Holman for believing in this work.
Above all, we are indebted to our Lord, who has given us the
ability to exchange ideas about Him and His creation. It is our hope
that the reader will be drawn into a closer relationship with Him.
What Is Apologetics?
Scenario
In Surfer's Paradise, California, high school seniors Peter and Jordan
have just finished their first PE class of the fall semester. Jordan
transferred into the school and knows no one. Their lockers are
next to each other.
Peter: Whew! It's hot out there. I'm totally drained.
Jordan: Yeah I'm Jordan.
Peter: Peter.
Jordan: Are they going to make us run that many laps every day?
Peter: Maybe. I can't wait to get home and get in the water.
Jordan: You surf?
Peter: As much as I can. You?
Jordan: Born to ride, man!
Peter: How about some surfing later?
Jordan: Have to pass. It's my sister's birthday. Got to do the
family routine. But I always go Sunday morning; it's my
spiritual trip for the weekend, right? Work for you?
Peter: No can do. I go to worship service at 9:00 Sunday morning, and-
Jordan: No way!
Peter: Way. And then I've got my high school group from 10:00
to 12:00. We also meet on Wednesday nights-you know, Bible study and some basketball. So, how about we get
together Sunday afternoon for some waves if the water is
nice?
Jordan: I'm surprised. You actually believe in God, Jesus, the
Bible, and all that stuff? I thought, you know, you were
too cool.
Peter: Uhhh .
Questions
• How would you respond if you were Peter?
• Is it cool or not cool to believe in God?
• Do you feel embarrassed, uncomfortable, or defensive in
openly proclaiming your beliefs to a nonbeliever?
Purpose
To describe and define Christian apologetics
Goal
To gain an understanding of Christian apologetics and its
limitations
In this chapter you will learn
• that the word apologetics refers to defending the Christian
point of view.
• that apologetics has positive and negative sides.
• that evidential, historical, classical, and presuppositional are
the four major approaches to apologetics.
• that the power of apologetics is limited and can't in itself
make anyone a Christian.
• that when doing apologetics you should follow certain fundamental
guidelines.
The word apologetics should not scare you. It's not a disease,
nor is it a Christian who is "sorry" for his or her faith in Jesus Christ.
The English word apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia,
which literally means a "reasoned defense." In other words,
apologetics is the branch of Christian theology that attempts to give
answers to persons who ask questions about or object to
Christianity.
An apologist presents various evidences to defend his faith
much like a lawyer uses evidence to defend his client in a courtroom
before a judge and jury. Apologetics is not presented in
Scripture as an optional task, only for some special group or person
to engage in; rather, it is a command for all Christians. The
Bible says that we should be able to give an answer to anyone who
asks about and questions our faith. The apostle Peter writes, "But
sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give
a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is
in you, with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15).
Things you should know about apologetics
• The word apologetics is not a military word; it is a word that
describes how a lawyer gives a verbal defense for a client in
the courtroom. That is, it tells how apologetics should and
should not be done. This means we don't beat on people
clobbering them with our Bibles but speaking gently and
humbly to them.
• The Greek form of the word apologia is used at least nine
times in the New Testament (see 1 Corinthians 9:3; 2 Corinthians 7:11; 1 Peter 3:15; Philippians 1:7, 17; 2 Timothy 4:16; Acts 19:33; 22:1; 25:16). This word can be
traced back to the fourth century B.C. when the Greek
philosopher Plato used it to title one of his books, Apology.
His book gives the account of Socrates's (Plato's teacher)
defense before a court of law that charged him with corrupting
the youth of Athens and leading them into atheism.
• Apologetics is not new. It is something we do every day, even
sometimes without knowing. It's simply giving "reasons" or
"evidences" for why we believe something to be true.
• Apologetics has positive and negative sides. The positive side
of apologetics is when we give reasons for why Christianity
is true. Unlike the negative side, which tears down objections, we can build up confidence in Christ providing
good reasons, archaeological and scientific evidence, or
some other available tools.
The positive use of apologetics is seen in Acts 1:3, when
after rising from the dead Jesus showed Himself with many
"infallible proofs": "He also presented Himself alive after
His suffering many infallible proofs, being seen them
during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to
the kingdom of God."
Jesus also did positive apologetics for His disciples
when He gave them evidence of His bodily resurrection in
Luke 24:38-40: "And He said to them, `Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My
hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I
have.' When He had said this, He showed them His hands
and His feet."
God did positive apologetics in Romans 1:19-20 giving
evidence of His existence through the created world: "What may be known of God is manifest in them, for God
has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His
invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood the
things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse."
The negative side evaluates reasons offered against
Christianity and exposes their weaknesses. In other words, the negative side of apologetics makes it its task to "tear
down" or "dismantle" ideas that are given to discredit
Christianity. When "tearing down" reasons, it is crucial to
accomplish this refutation not condemnation. Don't get
involved in tearing down anyone. Refuting a person's claims
against Christianity is simply giving reasons for why we think
the claims are false. If we begin raising our tone of voice and
getting angry at the person we are talking to, we are entering
the area of condemnation.
An example of a biblical command to engage in the negative
side of apologetics is 2 Corinthians 10:4-5: "For the
weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for
pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and
every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of
God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience
of Christ."
Now that you know the difference between both the
positive and negative side of apologetics, turn to the following
Scriptures and try to discover which side of apologetics
is being used: 1 Kings 18; Exodus 4:1-9; 2 Corinthians
10:4-5.
Are there different kinds of apologetics?
There are different ways to build a defense for your faith. Each
of the following apologetic types has a different starting place
when attempting to answer persons who ask about Christianity.
These types often overlap and use one another's methods of
showing Christianity to be true. Although there are more than four
types of apologetics, these seem to be the most popular.
1. Evidential apologetics focuses primarily on providing evidences
that people can see with their own eyes. These apologists
give evidence consisting of ancient copies of the original Bible (also
called manuscripts), archaeological discoveries, or even scientific
truths that are consistent with Scripture. The evidential apologist
would say, "Look at the facts with your own eyes. This will prove
the truthfulness of Christianity."
2. Historical apologetics focuses primarily on providing historical
evidences. These apologists give evidences that are gathered
from old historians such as Suetonius, Tacitus, and Josephus. Their
purpose is to show that the Bible is historically accurate. The historical
apologist would say, "Look to the past to support the truthfulness
of Christianity."
3. Presuppositional apologetics defends Christianity from certain
basic assumptions. The presuppositional apologist assumes the
truth of Christianity without using traditional proofs for the existence
of God. One basic presupposition the apologist holds is that
non-Christians have presuppositions that obscure or taint everything
they hear about God. It is the apologist's role to present the
troth of Christianity and the falsehood of any worldview opposed
to Christ. Unlike classical apologetics, which begins with reasons
and evidence, presuppositionalists begin assuming the Christian
worldview and attempting to show that only it makes sense out
of the world. The presuppositional apologist asserts that "proofs
for the existence of God are unnecessary; simply state the truthfulness
of Christianity and show the weaknesses of other worldviews."
4. Classical apologetics focuses primarily on providing well-reasoned
answers to persons who ask about or object to the
Christian religion. Classical apologists begin establishing the
reality of absolute troth and proceed to show evidence for the existence
of God and the possibility of miracles. Then they proceed to
show historical evidence that supports the deity of Christ examining
His sinless and miraculous life, fulfillment of prophecy, and
His resurrection from the dead. However, they usually begin
giving reasons apart from showing physical evidences in order to
change the unbeliever's perspective (also called a worldview) on
life and religion. When this is accomplished, they can accurately
assess and interpret the physical evidence. The classical apologist
says, "Change their worldview since it's the reason why unbelievers
misinterpret the facts they see with their eyes. Once this is
accomplished, show them the historical evidence."
What are the limits of apologetics?
It is important to remember that apologetics is limited and can't
in itself make anyone a Christian. However, it can help clear the
ground for anyone to receive Jesus Christ removing obstacles
that hinder saving faith. Just as a plow clears away snow from an
icy road so cars can pass unhindered, apologetics clears away
questions and doubts so the gospel can shine through to the
unbeliever.
The limitations of apologetics also can be understood this way:
it can only bring the horse to the water, so to speak; the horse is
the only one who can decide to drink. It is the same way with salvation.
Apologetics can show an unbeliever that Jesus is the Water
of life, but the decision to drink is made the unbeliever. This is
the difference between "faith that" and "faith in."
Apologetics helps an unbeliever to see that Jesus is the way to
salvation, but it is the role of the Holy Spirit and the individual as
to whether he will place faith in Jesus. Apologetics can demonstratethat Jesus is the way to heaven providing evidence; however,
faith in Jesus can only be achieved through a personal decision
apart from apologetics. In other words, apologetics goes only
so far. Limitations, however, don't lessen the role that apologetics
plays in bringing someone closer to Christ. After all, the unbeliever
cannot believe in God until he first believes that God exists
(Hebrews 11:6).
The following illustrates the limits of apologetics.
Faith that God exists Faith in God
Is an area of apologetics Is an area of evangelism
Addresses the mind Addresses the will
Uses reasons and evidence Requires the Holy Spirit
Comes before faith in Comes after faith that Points the person to Jesus Places trust in Jesus
What are the rules of a good apologist?
To ensure good results, remember the following rules when
using apologetics. They will help you become more effective when
talking to others about Christianity. We have tried to make them
easy to remember placing them into the acronym
A.P.O.L.O.G.E.T.I.C.S.
A = Always pray
P = Pre-evangelism (establishing a theistic worldview)
O = Obstacles are to be removed
L = Love your neighbor
O = Overcome discouragement
G = Gospel message given
E = Encourage friendships
T = Truth
I = Illuminate and illustrate
C = Christ centered
S = Scripture use
Congratulations! You have just finished your first chapter in
apologetics. The purpose of this section was to describe and define
Christian apologetics-a foundation for the second chapter. Now
that you know what apologetics is, you can learn why it is important.
Before you continue, test how much you remember completing
the following chapter review questions.
(Continues.)
