Know Your Why: The Importance of Apologetics

Introduction

            Well, the day is here; its apologetics day and this writing is just going be something simple. The goal is to point out why we do apologetics and to show why I believe it is an important venture. There are plenty of sources that talk about this same topic, but I wanted to give some personal insight into this. Let us get it started then.

Know Your Why

            The phrase “know your why” does have some rather important meaning for the Christian. The main idea comes from 1 Peter 3:15 which says always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in you and do so with gentleness and respect (my phrasing). A common statement made to me by a great number of people who have asked what I am studying (when I was in my Master’s) was “what are you apologizing for?” This statement is typically followed by a slight giggle since most of them realize that that is not the meaning of my studies. The response I typically give is that apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia which essentially means to give a defense of something. When I think of apologetics, I think of a defense attorney giving his evidence for his defendant (Christian faith).

            In one respect, apologetics is providing a defense for your belief in Christ and God. However, more fundamentally, apologetics can be viewed as a pre-evangelism. In this aspect of apologetics, the person is seeking to break down those intellectual barriers to belief in God and in Christ as his incarnate Son. In another aspect, it is used to bolster the faith and confidence of those already in the faith.

            Though apologetics is specific in purpose, it is broad in scope. By this, I mean that the goal of apologetics is to defend the Christian faith (specific) but it is done through multiple different disciplines (broad). There can be scientific evidence used and it is common ground to discuss cosmology (i.e. the beginning and development of the universe). Archeology is also a common sector to use especially when talking about how dependable the Bible is in what it claims (historically). It is also heavily involved in Philosophy because there have been many arguments raised against Christianity such as the problem of evil or the problem of miracles (David Hume).

            Some of these objections to Christianity simply cannot have tangible evidence in its favor. By this, I mean that it is not something that one can test in a lab but rather one must analyze the arguments via their logical capacities. Science discusses the physical, but philosophy looks at the metaphysical (many other areas too but this is just to make the point more clear).

            With regard to conducting apologetics, I spend a fair amount of time discussing points against atheists online. There are tons of YouTube videos that have been made that bring up objections to the faith and there have been just as many answering those objections. The goal is not always geared towards changing the mind of the atheist that I am debating because in most cases these people are set in their mind towards belief in a God. However, those onlookers that may be sitting on the fence could be swayed by the arguments that are being presented (in either direction). Along with debating points, I do have the pleasure of training people around the world in apologetics. As of now, I do have a student living in Africa who reached out for some assistance in gaining resources and a deeper understanding of defending his faith.

            Truly the goal of conducting apologetics (in my mind) is to help those see that faith in God is a rational venture and to bring them to God because the creator desires to have all peoples brought to himself (John 3:16). It should also be noted that doing apologetics is not just a call for those who professionally study and do this but rather it is a call to all believers (1 Peter 3:15). Peter did not say that only those who work (as in, is their job) are to do apologetics but everyone needs to be prepared to give an answer.

Conclusion

            This was not a typical writing where I sought to traditionally defend the Christian faith but was to bring attention to the field of apologetics. The goal is to see more Christian stepping out and giving those reasons why they believe in God and Christ. This field is growing in importance because so many young Christians are walking away from the faith. The reason for this is that questions/ objections are being raised against them that they cannot answer, and this destroys the faith that they have. One thing that everyone needs to realize is just because you do not have an answer does not mean there is not one. Though answering these questions may require some study, we have all been called to love God with all of our heart, soul, strength, and MIND (Luke 10:27). The mind is very important, and we need to exercise it and show the world that belief in God is not only rational but that it is the most plausible position to hold. Blessings on this day!