Why Christianity is an apologetics ministry, so what is apologetics? The term apologetics comes from the Greek ̓ἀπολογία, apologia meaning “the act of making a defense” (BDAG 117). In a narrow sense, apologetics refers to speaking away objections, but the concept is generally used for giving reasons why someone should (or should not) consider something. While there might be times when an apologist might need to say sorry for something, there is no connection to the English word apologize.
The term is used eight times in the New Testament (cf. Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Cor 9:3; 2 Cor 7:11; Phil 1:7, 16; 2 Tim 4:16; 1 Peter 3:15), but concept is present throughout the Bible (cf. Isaiah 44:9–20; Luke 24:25–27; John 20:30–31; Acts 1:3; 13:33-41; 17:2–3, 22–31; 18:4, 24–28; Rom 1:18–20; etc.). For instance, Jesus used reason to point others to the truth (cf. Matt 12:25–28; 22:19–32; John 10:37–38; 18:37; etc.).
Christians should first be apologists who are transformed to be like Christ—to be loving, to have joy in God and his creation, to seek peace, to be patient and kind—and aim to respectfully answer others with a gentle word and how they live their lives.
Apologetics explores the big questions of life, including the meaning of life? Is there a God? What about evil and suffering? Why bother with the Bible? Did Jesus rise from the dead? What about science? What about other religions? What about sexual, gender, and racial discrimination? And many other issues.
One could object that faith and reason are opposed, so apologetics is counterproductive.[1] However, that is a non-Christian understanding of faith that sees faith as blind. Instead, the Scriptures encourage the use of reason (cf. Deut 18:21–22; Isa 44:6–8; Acts 1:3; 17:31; 1 Cor 15:6, etc.), and the Bible understands faith to be closer to the idea of trust—one should have knowledge of the intellectual content of a matter, then assent to the information, and finally to put one’s trust in God accordingly. This understanding of faith as trust does not mean that an apologist is to argue someone into God’s kingdom; instead, to courteously and intelligently present arguments knowing that God’s Spirit can use such reasons (along with other factors) to draw someone to Jesus.
There are different opinions about the best way to do apologetics (cf. Cowan, ed., Five Views on Apologetics), but the general method has been to first share the good news about Jesus,[2] and if the person has any questions, then the apologist should seek to help the individual find the answers.
This organization, “Why Christianity,” is one of many apologetic groups throughout history that seeks to train Christians to articulate and graciously defend the Christian worldview and, through truth and love to show why Christ is worth considering. We hope that you will find some of our resources both encouraging and challenging.
By David Graieg 29 Mar 2022
[1] For instance, sometimes these passages are Eph 2:8–10; John 20:29; Heb 11:1; 1 Cor 1:18–3:23 pointed to as evidence for fideism. See commentaries for a discussion of these passages (https://bestcommentaries.com).
[2] “The gospel is that Jesus the king 1. preexisted as God the Son, 2. was sent by the Father, 3. took on human flesh in fulfillment of God’s promises to David, 4. died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 5. was buried, 6. was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 7. appeared to many witnesses, 8. is enthroned at the right hand of God as the ruling Christ, 9. has sent the Holy Spirit to his people to effect his rule, and 10. will come again as final judge to rule” (Bates, Gospel Allegiance, 227).
Further Suggested Resources
Forrest, Benjamin K., Josh Chatraw, and Alister E. McGrath, eds. The History of Apologetics: A Biographical and Methodological Introduction. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2020.
Groothuis, Douglas R. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith. 2nd ed. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2022.
Bibliography
Bates, Matthew W. Gospel Allegiance: What Faith in Jesus Misses for Salvation in Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2019.
Cowan, Steven B. ed. Five Views on Apologetics. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000.
Danker, Frederick William, reviser and editor. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Based onWalter Bauer’s Griechisch-Deutsches Wörterbuch zu den Schriften des Neuen Testaments und der frühchristlichen Literatur. 6th edition, edited by Kurt Aland and Barbara Aland, with Viktor Reichmann, and on previous English editions by William F. Arndt, F. Wilbur Gingrich, and F. W. Danker. Chicago, IL: University Press, 2000.
Dyer, John. Best Commentaries. Accessed November 23, 2021. https://bestcommentaries.com/