Why is there a need for Christian Apologetics?
Today we find ourselves in a post-Christian culture here in America (and some would argue an anti-Christian culture). More and more young people have begun to identify their religion as None, and for the first time in history atheists constitute the largest religious group in America. According to the General Social Survey, the number of Americans who have “no religion” has increased 266% over the past three decades and now account for 23.1% of the population, just barely edging out Catholics and Evangelicals as the nation’s dominant faith. Mainline Protestant churches have suffered the greatest collapse, declining 62.5% since 1982 and now comprising just 10.8% of the U.S. population. Nones have also taken over as the third largest group in the religious preference category worldwide, just behind Christianity and Islam.
These statistics should be enough cause for Christians to get basic training in Christian Apologetics because the battle is growing and we are losing the most important asset: The hearts and minds of the next generation. Western Christians have become way too comfortable, to the point of apathy, and we are now reaping the result of that attitude. In growing numbers, in other parts of the world, we hear of Christians giving their lives for the hope that they have in Jesus, would we?
We cannot sit on the sidelines as Christians in the West have been able to do over the past few centuries. Jesus did not give us that option (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15). Christians today need to be in training as “case-makers” for the faith and we can do this through Apologetics’ studies like this one.
Listen to the “One Minute Apologist” explain the importance of practicing Christian Apologetics today:
If we are not trained to have a solid foundation we can fall for the lies of enemy so prevalent in our culture today, and this includes understanding the whole teaching (big picture) of the Bible. Scripture teaches us to be prepared and to be able to defend the faith. Jesus and his disciples warned that even believers would fall for deceptive teaching, twisting of doctrine, and philosophies promoted by men that run contrary to the Word of God:
And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. …For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:4-5; 24
The Apostle Paul warned the believers in Colosse:
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Colossians 2:8
The Apostle Peter warned the early Church as they were beginning to face persecution:
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do no fear their threats; do not be frightened” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:13-15
Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 2 Peter 3:3
Toward the end of the first century, the Apostle John wrote this warning to believers who were being infiltrated by false teaching and Gnosticism:
I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. 1 John 2:21-26
To follow the commands given in Scripture and heed the warnings of Jesus and the Apostles we need to get basic training in the form of Christian Apologetics. Watch this 2 minute introduction to Apologetics from apologeticscanada’s “Think For A Minute” series:
Christian Apologetics:
- Apologetics=apologia (ap-ol-og-ee’-ah) in the original Greek means to give a verbal defense, like one would do in a court of law.
- It is used eight times in the New Testament: Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Corinthians 9:3; 2 Corinthians 10:5 and 6; Philippians 1:7; 2 Timothy 4:16; and 1 Peter 3:15.
- Jesus, his disciples and the early Christian martyrs gave us many examples of how to use apologetics: They proved from Old Testament Scripture who Jesus was; they confirmed it by providing evidence through miracles in Jesus’ Name; and they won arguments against the philosophies of the day with truth and reason.
- Today, Christian Apologists (Case-Makers) put together evidential cases for: 1) Biblical truth (vs. relativism and secular ideology); 2) The Creator (vs. random evolutionary models); 3) the historicity, reliability and inspiration of the Bible (vs. religious human inventions and philosophies); 4) Jesus and the Resurrection (vs. mythologies).
Watch Doug Powell’s 12 minute presentation that breaks down what Christian Apologetics is all about into three main categories:
Apologetics helps us do pre-evangelism and tear down roadblocks to the Gospel. It helps weed out false claims the culture makes about Christianity. Christian Apologetics seeks to address misconceptions and defend the Christian faith from an intellectual point of view along with a Biblical worldview—it deals with the pursuit and defense of truth—God’s Truth.
Apologetics helps us point out wrong thinking and direct us to objective truths held in a Biblical Christian Worldview, the only worldview that helps us understand reality—the way things really are!
Teaching apologetics to the next generation is critical:
Dr. Sean McDowell shares these five important reasons for teaching Apologetics to our young people today.
- Apologetics can give students more confidence: When confronted with tough issues concerning their faith students will know how to respond and where to get answers.
- Apologetics can help students hold on to their faith: Even though emotional situations may play a role, students can hang on to truths they know when they go through times of doubt.
- Students have genuine apologetics-related questions: They will be confronted with questions about the reliability of the Bible; the problem of evil; Heaven vs. hell; and social issues like homosexuality, gender identity, and marriage. Apologetics will help them articulate answers from the Christian worldview.
- Students will be involved with social media: Here we find that everyone is an apologist for some cause or belief. Christian Apologetics will equip students with tools and answers to use in this age of technology where false statements and accusations are often made against the Christian faith or God Himself.
- Students need to see that Christianity is objectively true: Many have bought into the secular worldview that defines faith as a matter of feeling and experience in opposition to fact and reason. Apologetics training helps students see that there is an objective truth that can be known.
Watch Dr. Sean McDowell’s insightful presentation showing how we can put apologetics into action from real life situations (28 minutes presentation):
We need to start training at an early age because statistics overwhelmingly show that ages 14-17 are the most decisive years.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:5-7
For those of you who follow Christian Apologetics on deeper level listen to Dr. William Lane Craig who, according to most in the field, is in the top one percent of philosophers and debaters of all time. Here is a 45 minute presentation on Christian Apologetics:
Bible Study:
For this study we are reading through the Gospel of John. One of John’s main reasons for writing this Gospel was to prove that Jesus was who He said He was: The Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, God incarnate. Study with us by answer the following questions:
Read John Chapters 1-3:
- Practicing Cross-referencing:
- Re-read John 1:1-5 and 9-13 and then compare with John 1:14, Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:13-17, 1 John 1:1-3 and Philippians 2:5-8. Who is Jesus according to these Scriptures?
- Who does John the Baptist say Jesus is? (1:29-36; and 3:22-36)
- Who does Andrew say Jesus is? (1:41)
- Who does Phillip say Jesus is? (1:45)
- Who does Nathanael say Jesus is? (1:49)
- Who do you say Jesus is?
- Who is John the Baptist and how is he different from the writer of this book? (1:6-8, 19-28)
Extra Credit: Where else in the Bible can you find information about John the Baptist’s identity?
- John 1:37-51 describes the first disciples to follow Jesus. What does Jesus say about Nathanael that caused this disciple to follow Him?
- What miracle did Jesus perform at the wedding in Cana and why? (2:1-11-focus on v. 11) Who stayed with Jesus in Capernaum after this? (2:12)
- What prophecy (cite the address) did Jesus fulfill when He cleared the Temple? (2:13-17-focus on v. 17)
- What temple was Jesus talking about in his answer to the Jewish leaders? (2:18-25) How does the prophecy in Psalm 16:10 relate to this passage?
- In chapter 3:1-13 whom is Jesus talking to and why? What does it mean to be “born again?”
- Re-read 3:14-21. Does this give fuller meaning than John 3:16 by itself, if so how?
Extra Credit: The Old Testament gives us a deeper insight to Jesus’ ministry and mission. Where in the Old Testament can you find the cross-reference to 3:14? What happened in that story and how does is it connect to the Gospel message?
Join us next week as we continue our Case for Christ and the New Testament!
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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.
Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.
Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.
Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15
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