Christian apologetics is experiencing a resurgence in our day. Various YouTubers, teachers, influencers, and prominent pastors are cranking out a slew of content on many topics from every category of apologetics. Philosophical, scientific, logical, archeological, and even experiential apologetics all have their place. I have even seen some bible teachers posit that we are only to proclaim the Word of God and that apologetics are not necessary. While I agree the authority and sufficiency of the Word of God are well in place, we are instructed in the authoritative and sufficient Word of God to be ready to give an answer for what we believe and why.
In Peter 3:15 we’re instructed, “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, but with gentleness and respect” (See also Colossians 4:5-6).
No one can reason someone else into faith. It is ultimately a matter of the heart, the will, and God’s sovereignly perfect activity. But it can be demonstrated that our Christian faith is anchored to reality. Ours is a faith based on logic, fact, history, and truth. Furthermore, we learn from the passage above that Christians are expected to be ready to give an answer for the hope they have in Christ.
This is the purpose (and working definition) of apologetics—to provide a reasoned argument in defense of the truths of the Christian faith to those who might question it. Jesus and Paul used this approach as they reasoned with others. They used rational arguments and pointed to supporting evidence.
Please do not fail to note the final phrase of 1 Peter 3:15, “but with gentleness and respect.” Our goal with Christian apologetics should not be merely to win an argument—but to win souls to the Lord. Who cares if we win an argument, if in doing so we fail to reach the lost? When properly applied, Christian apologetics can assist in answering honest questions and breaking down unnecessary barriers to belief, all in order to help other people consider the claims of Christ and the truths of Scripture.
I am not suggesting that we can do anything on our own to draw people to the faith. Only God can do that (John 6:44, 65). However, we can help facilitate this process by building a case for the truthfulness of Scripture. We are the missionaries of the day with the express directive to understand the mindset of those we are called to reach. We understand from Romans 1:18-20 that general revelation (the witness of creation and conscience) is “known” by every person intuitively. But truth is suppressed (verse 18) by all kinds of human inventions (verses 21-28) and the schemes of the evil one (1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 5:19). Nearly always, barriers to belief need to be knocked down in order for people to see the truth.
The study of apologetics also serves to strengthen the faith of believers. The more a believer learns about the empirical evidence that supports the people, history, logic, facts, science, and design that is recorded in Scripture, the larger their foundation gets for supporting their belief in what God has revealed in the Bible. Their confidence in the evidence that supports faith often results in a deeper resolve for practical application and commitment to the Messiah and his purposes. In short, when faith is strengthened, sanctification and deeper discipleship often follow.
To summarize, in my view, the goal of apologetics is two-fold. First, it answers the questions of those whom the Lord may be drawing to him. Second, it bolsters the faith of the believer. The first aspect relates to evangelism, the second to discipleship. Both facilitate the great commission. And the bottom line is we are called to be ready to give an answer and let our Sovereign Lord sort out the rest.
