What is Christian Apologetics?
Why do some Christians reject the task of Christian Apologetics?
In this post, we’ll be discussing the question: why do some Christians reject the task of Christian apologetics? Well, there are at least three reasons.
First, some Christians would say, “Christianity is a matter of the heart, not of the intellect. I don’t want to define it. I know and love Jesus and that’s enough for me.” Well, clearly, I am not doubting the sincerity of many such people. However, I'm afraid that these are the sort of Christians who fall prey to false doctrines and teachings in the thousands every single year. Why? Because they refuse to pin down what they believe; they think it is a bad thing to attempt to define it. But it is not a bad thing, it is simply common sense. As soon as the cults and sects arrived on the scene (which was quite soon), the early Christians discovered that they needed to define their Christianity; they did this through such things as the very early Apostles Creed and, later, through the later great 4th century creeds, such as the Nicaean Creed and the Creed at Constantinople. When people purposefully or accidentally pervert biblical teaching they are very subtle, and the only way we can see that is when we define and articulate what we believe clearly. The apostles thought it was imperative that the beliefs of Christianity were clearly and carefully defined. All we must do to establish this fact is to go right through the New Testament epistles and note how important the apostles thought it was to define what Christianity is, and what it is not!
Why did Paul write his letter to the Galatians and Romans, for instance? There was a misrepresentation of the gospel. A subtle deviation from the truth of Christianity. The Jewish Christians insisted that the gentile believers had to become Jews or follow the outward ceremonies of the Mosaic Law (Gal. 2:3, 11-12, 14; 4:10). Paul’s message was loud and clear. He didn’t simply sit around and say, “It doesn’t matter, as long as they love Jesus and know him it’s fine!” No! He immediately wrote a letter in anger. In fact, he called them “you foolish Galatians” (5:1). He corrected them. He wrote, “to require the outward deeds of the Law is to deny the heart of the gospel.” It’s the same with his letter to Romans as well. John’s first epistle also bears witness to our point. So, in essence, to define Christianity is not a bad thing. In fact, as I said earlier, it helps us keep away from heresies. However, as I said earlier, this does not mean that sincere love for God takes the back seat.
Second, some Christians think that Christian Apologetics could lead to a purely-human understanding of God. They argue that divine knowledge is only granted by the Holy Spirit, only God grants us true spiritual knowledge; and if that is granted, then Apologetics is not needed. Of course, ultimately, certainly only God grants us true spiritual knowledge. It is certainly a point well taken, but what about that in-between stage as the Spirit starts working with us and gradually opening our minds? If this objection is true, why even preach the Gospel? But before that, didn’t the apostle Peter say: “But in your hearts set apart 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:15-16). How can we be prepared to give an answer concerning the hope of the Gospel if we refuse to get involved in Christian Apologetics?
People who reject the task of Christian Apologetics sometimes quote this: “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matthew 10:18-20). But the Matthew text is talking about giving a defense of Christianity in a time of serious trial before magistrates, rulers and judges. At such a time we do not need to prepare our defense because the Holy Spirit Himself will speak through us. The context of these verses is set in verse 17: “Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.” Also, we have already noted 1 Peter 3:15 which tells us to be prepared to give an answer - if this should seem insufficient to some, we really should consider the Book of Acts which shows the Apostles regularly involved in Christian Apologetics. Let’s look at an example:
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' "Therefore, since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."' (Acts 17:22-31).
So here we see Paul freely engaging in Christian Apologetics! Did Paul say, 'I am not even going to discuss God with these people because they can't possibly understand unless the Holy Spirit opens their minds.' Of course not!! Preaching the Gospel cannot avoid the discipline of Christian Apologetics, that is, to preach the Gospel is to proclaim, explain and to defend the Christian Faith.
Finally, some Christians say, “Christian Faith” is not based on evidence while Christian apologetics is all about presenting evidence for the Faith, and hence reject the discipline of apologetics. They often quote Hebrews 11:1 which says, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” to support their argument. They think faith and reason are opposite. The more reasons you have, the less room there is for faith. But this definition is foreign to the Bible. The Greek word for faith, pistis, is derived from the verb pisteuo, which means “to convince by argument.” Hebrews 11:1 explains that faith is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Some translations replace “conviction” with “evidence.” Faith, then, is being convinced that the things we can’t see (e.g. God, heaven, the resurrection, etc.) are real. Biblical faith, then, is not blind, but functions the same way as trust. You don’t blindly trust people. They have to earn it. You put your trust in people you have good reason to trust. Biblical faith is also not contrary to reason. It’s consistent with reason. You put your trust (faith) in what you have good reason to believe is true.
God, in the Old Testament, taught faith in these terms. He routinely reminds the Israelites why they can trust Him (put their faith in Him). God is the One who delivered them from slavery. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Exod. 20:2). This is repeated over and over and over (Exod. 13:3, 13:14, 33:1, Lev. 25:38, Deut. 5:6, 6:12, etc.). That’s why the Jews can trust – put their faith in – God. Jesus also operated with this understanding of faith. John wrote 21 chapters about Jesus in his Gospel, much of it records supernatural works. Why? He explains, “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). In other words, you can put your faith in Christ because His miraculous works are a testament to His claims and credibility.
These are some of the reasons why some Christians reject the discipline of apologetics. I hope I’ve addressed them well. If you have further questions, please feel free to respond.
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