Skip to main content

Why Apologetics?

Christian apologetics has four essential functions: (1) to show that Christianity is true; (2) to clarify the Christian position in light of the many misrepresentations and misconceptions; (3) to show why other world religions or worldview are false; and (4) to challenge and convince people to apply the truth of the Gospel to their personal lives.

Apologetics provides a thoughtful and reasonable approach to Christian evangelism. By Christian apologetics, we can establish the truth of Christianity through clear thinking and sound reasoning by using the tools in Logic and Philosophy. We also use historical data to establish the authenticity of the Bible. And we use scientific knowledge to show how Christian beliefs and teachings are consistent with the physical reality that we live in.

By Christian apologetics, we can clarify the Christian position against the many misunderstandings, misrepresentations, and objections. We can show, by using tools in Logic and Philosophy where and why the critics are committing fallacies such as the strawman fallacy, invoking a popular opinion, or making wrong assumptions.

By Christian apologetics we can help non-Christians think clearly about their own beliefs and show why their beliefs are false.

And finally, we can confront every person with the truth of the Christian message and challenge them to make a decision, whether to accept it or to reject it still.

Therefore, it is very important for the Church to embrace the discipline of Christian apologetics. We are the light of the world; we are the salt of the earth. And with Apologetics, we can shine our light to the world by speaking the truth clearly, thoughtfully, and reasonably. We can challenge the arguments and objections of non-Christians and show the contradictions and falsity of their own beliefs. This is why Apologetics is very important.


Apologetics is not unbiblical. In fact, the opposite is true. The Apostles themselves did Apologetics as they went about doing their ministry. The Bible commands us to do apologetics. It says 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense (apologia) to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” The Greek word “apologia” is where the word apologetics derives from and it simply means “the speech act of attempting to prove some act or belief to be reasonable, necessary, or right.” It is used several times in the New Testament. Another instance is found in Philippians 1:7 (ESV) “It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense (apologia) and confirmation of the gospel.” Apologetics is an intrinsic part of the preaching and proclaiming of the Gospel.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How do you know?

I asked: How do you know that when you die you will be with Jesus? Somebody said: 1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And WHAT are these who believe... 1Jn 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God... And what shall become of those who believe... Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. I said: Yes, sure the Bible tells us that, and our Pastors tell us that. But how are you so sure that indeed you have eternal life? And again he says: Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also GLORIFIED. This is the glorious future of those whom the Father foreknew. Again I s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Between God and the Politician

Often we hear during election time of Politicians platform of government and promised infrastructure projects should they be elected in office. But all those talk and speeches just go back to the filing cabinets once elections are through and kept hid until the next elections. So between God and the Politician is a great chasm, a great divide between truth and lies because Man's words are often empty, but the Word of God is never empty. Not because Man wants to lie but because he is not capable of keeping his every word. God on the other hand is able. God said: But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings, and you shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts (Mal 4:2-3). Those words are not empty. Surely they come to pass to them which receives them. And God has declared it that ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Working Out Salvation

Php 2:12-15 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (13) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (14) Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (15) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  Just to remove the misconstruction here, ‘work out’ is not synonymous with ‘work for’. The former means to develop while the latter means to earn. Salvation is not earned. It is freely given of God. He made it that way so that no one can boast. But salvation needs to be developed so that we may reap its fruits. Christians struggle with their faith because after that they have received the Lord Jesus they still face the same problems, the same struggles, the same circumstances even long after that they be...
2 comments
Read more