Introduction to Apologetics

What is Apologetics?

Derives from the Greek word "apologia", or defense. Apologetics is the science and art of crafting and presenting reasonable defenses for the truth of Christianity.

The Biblical Case for Apologetics

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart, 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." (1 Peter 3:15)

In addition to the above passage in 1 Peter, the Bible commands us elsewhere to apologetics:

  • "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." (Titus 1:9)
  • "I urge you to contend for the faith." (Jude 3)
  • "Whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me." (Philippians 1:7)

Apologetics was a common practice that accompanied the proclamation of the Gospel in the New Testament:

  • Jesus used testimony and evidences to confirm His identity (Matthew 4:23, 11:5, John 5:31-36, 10:37-38, 20:30-31)
  • Paul routinely reasoned from the perspective of the audience (Acts 9:22, 14:15-17, 17:2-4, 17:16-32, 26:25-29, 28:23, Romans 1:18-2:16, 1 Corinthians 9:20-23,  2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
  • Paul includes a strong apologetic with his clearest explanation, that is definition, of the gospel in the New Testament—1 Corinthians 15:1-11.
  • Luke insists that the truth of his account was verified by "many infallible proofs" (Acts 1:3)

Faith vs. Reason

  • Thanks to sin, human wisdom has become entangled with pride. As a result, "not many who are wise" are among the believers in the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:21), which demands humility. Men "suppress the truth" (Romans 1:18-32) and are "blinded" to justifiy their unrighteousness (Ephesians 4:17-18; Romans 3:10-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4)
  • Faith is equally available to all. Unlike knowledge of, say, quantum physics or classical Chinese, faith requires no special intellectual gifts. "I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes." (Matthew 11:25)
  • When Paul condemns human "wisdom" and "philosophy," or Luther condemns "reason," it is not the gift of reasoning and knowledge that is being condemned, but only its abuse, as twisted by pride and sin. (Isaiah 29:13-14,  1 Corinthians 1:18-21, 1:27-29, 2:1-5, 2:13-14, 3:18-20, Colossians 2:8, 23,  1 Timothy 6:20, James 3:15-17)
  • Jesus instructed us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind." (emphasis added, Mat. 22:37)
  • Luther's famous Diet of Worms proclamation in 1521: "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason, my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything. Here I stand, I can do no other!"