Apologetics

One of the areas of Theology I'm really interested in and love is Apologetics. I got interested in this area very early on in my Christian walk, simply because I had questions and wanted answers! Now I love this subject because through it I can help people with the same questions as I had. Philippians 1:17 has to be one of my favourite scriptures because it talks of how we have actually been appointed for the defence of the gospel and I love how 1 Peter 3:14-16 talks of how we should always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us. So today I thought I'd talk a little bit about Apologetics and why it's important!

The word “Apologetics” is a compound of two Greek words;

Apologia: verbal defence

Aoyikos: reasonable

Apologetics: reasonable verbal defence

Apologetics deals with answering critics who oppose or question the revelation of the word of God, of worship or manifestation of the work or acts of the Holy Spirit. We as believers need to give reason for what we believe. It is also a study that gives reason for the Christian faith and deals with why we believe what we believe and why we do what we do. To defend, we have to be knowledgeable or we won’t be able to present our case effectively and, as Christians are called to make a defence, this is important.

We need apologetics because;

• We are commanded to be able to give a defence of the faith to everyone who asks us.
• It helps to strengthen the faith of believers. Most of us have times when we question and doubt what we believe and apologetics gives us a foundation and reinforcement to our faith.
• There are so many false teachings that call for our attention that we need apologetics to affirm our faith as well as to stop the objections and attacks of those who are attempting to assault the faith.

Excuses in the Face of Evidence

Ignorance – this is only a valid excuse until the point that the person is given information about God. After that, we are not dealing with ignorance but with wilful rejection. (Romans 1:18-19 - "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.")

Pride – (1 Corinthians 1:26-27 - For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;)

Moral Reasons – people often reject the evidence for Christ, not because of any lack in the evidence but because they have a vested interest in unbelief. They do not want the Christian faith to upset their lifestyle. Some have attempted to overcome this objection by watering down the need for repentance. It is taught, “just believe the facts of the gospel and you will be saved” but Jesus preached a gospel that saved sinners from their sins. Jesus loves you the way you are but loves you too much to leave you the way you are. (John 3:19-20 - And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.)

Don’t be afraid to reason! Don’t just live with questions – want answers for them!