What is the meaning of the phrase “Christian Apologetics”? Well, most likely we know the meaning of the word Christian, so let’s understand the word Apologetics. It comes from the Greek word apologia, means a speech or verbal defense. Contrary to a the common use of the word ‘apology’ today, Christian Apologetics is not apologizing for our beliefs or recanting our positions – it is the branch of Christian thought that deals with answering the questions and challenges posed by the skeptic of the world and those that oppose the truth of the person of God, and his Holy and perfect Word. Apologetics can cover any number of fields: from philosophy, to physics, and biology to linguistics.

Apologetics is giving a defense to the many jabs and challenges that the world throws at Christianity. In universities today, Christianity is viewed much as Bill and Ted are. It can be enjoyable to be around, funny, pretty tolerable, but overall pretty stupid. Modern society says that Christianity’s views do not make sense and most Christians “check their brains in at the doors” to any place that requires them to use their minds to analyze their religion.

It is unfortunate that some Christians do fulfill that stereotype. But that isn’t what God calls us to - God calls us not only to love him with out hearts, but also with our minds (Mk 22:37). Christianity isn’t a completely blind faith – it’s an intelligent faith. So let us use our minds to understand God better. Let’s also use it to defuse some of the world’s myths. Many of the world’s arguments are deceptive and meant to confuse and lead doubting people, who would have otherwise looked into the person of Christ, astray and into empty, fruitless, and ultimately Godless lives. It is our job, as Christians, to expose these lies and prevent unbelievers and believers alike from falling into the enemy’s traps. 

1 Peter 3:15b is the most commonly quoted verse associated with apologetics: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” When one is asked a question regarding the validity of their Christianity, it is the apologist’s work to try to answer that question.

The goal of apologetics is, or at least should be, evangelism. According to Colossians 4:2-6, Paul instructs us in our conversation so that we may know how to “answer everyone”. Why? So that we look smart? No, because Paul would like to “proclaim the mystery of Christ”, and proclaim it clearly. He calls us to make the “most of every opportunity”. Let us always be sensitive to this in our conversation with others.

It is important to one who is studying apologetics to realize to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) In all cases, we always come under the authority of God and the Word of God – everything that comes under examination is ultimately compared to the Word of God to determine its truth and validity. God’s Word is our authority and our source of truth – anything not in agreement with it will be held as untrue.

In apologetics, sometimes when dealing with common arguments, it’s easy to pre-formulate conversations that you might start with people. Remember Mark 13:11 however: “Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” There Jesus is talking about the end times and being attuned to the Holy Spirit and speaking what God would have you speak. It is the same when conversing with other people – remain open to God’s leading; sometimes someone might need to hear the gospel instead of a logical argument for the existence of God. That said, it is important for the apologist to be practiced and knowledgeable about what he is talking about. 

I like to call apologetics, “theology in sneakers”. It is information that you actually use when you are talking to others and trying to determine your own position on things. Have you ever went walking while barefoot? You start going, and maybe it’s a really hot day and your walking on asphalt - or you weren’t looking and started walking on rocks - or your feet really stink or something. It’s then that you wish you had your sneakers on. It’s the same with apologetics – When someone asks you a question about God or the Bible, and you have no idea, it makes you really wish you had your sneakers on.  

There are 2 reasons I think apologetics is needed on modern times. They are:

1)      It’s commanded by 1 Peter 3:!5 – “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” It pretty direct here – notice that it says we are to be prepared ‘always’.

2)      The second reason is because of all the false teachings in the world. Let me give you a couple of facts. Mormonism teaches that Jesus and Satan are brothers and that God was once a man on another world and that he took his goddess wife here to earth and populated it with his ‘spirit children’ and that you too can be a god of your own world. Jehovah’s witnesses deny the Trinity, believe Jesus is Michael the Archangel, there is no hell, and only 144,000 people will make it to heaven. Islam teaches that Jesus was not God, that He didn’t rise from the dead, salvation is a combination of works and Allah’s grace and that Mohammed is greater than Jesus. Christian Science teaches that Jesus is not the Messiah, did not die, is not God and that good and evil are not real. The Bahai religion teaches that all the world religions are basically the same and that all religions point toward one God. Atheism teaches that there isn’t even a God! There’s false teachings even within the Christian church. Now is the time, more than ever, to be rooted in the foundation of God’s Word so we aren’t like the seed described in Matt 13:6 “But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and they withered because they had no root.”

That’s a basic and quick summary of what apologetics is and why we need it. Additionally, we need to realize that in apologetics the Word of God has final authority. All of our opinions are rooted in God’s Word – otherwise, where are we? If you’re on an ice sled and I’m on an ice sled and I’m trying to push you, we’re not going to go anywhere unless one of us is rooted on a solid foundation: that foundation being God’s wisdom not our own understanding. Also remember that in sharing with other people, we are to be to share our knowledge, testimony, and the gospel like Peter says in the second half of I Peter 3:15 – “do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience.” I Corinthians also says “Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.” So we need to be humble and gentle with others in everything, but apologetics especially.