Apologetics: What’s Its Purpose In The Church

What is Christian Apologetics? Why does it matter? As a Christian should I even care about arguing? Shouldn’t I just live right, accept Christ, and love my neighbor?

The answer to all those questions is yes. Let me explain.

Christian Apologetics — the branch of theology that is concerned with the defense of Christian doctrines

While I don’t want to sound like a used cars salesman (my apologies if you sell cars), to properly answer the importance of apologetics within the Christian faith you must understand your clientele and their needs. Please don’t mistake my casual analogy about clientele as I desperately care about soul winning and the eternal resting place of all humans. I just feel that, in order for apologetics discussions to do more good than harm, one must first assess the spiritual status of the folks to one is witnessing.

For the sake of length I am going to divide all non Christians into two groups. Those who are broken and somewhat ready for salvation and those who condescendingly sit perched among intellectuals in ivory towers waiting for Christian “slip ups.” I do understand that this grouping is somewhat of a stereotype among non-believers and that individuals can fall anywhere between these two (I also understand that some might have chosen other religious paths). I simply generalize for the sake of time. Based on my personal feelings, after one grasps a general understanding of where their non-Christian counterpart stands, one can tailor their witnessing game plan.

Let’s examine an atheist and what is mostly going to work when witnessing to them (I would probably not call it witnessing–interfaith dialogue might be more accurate). With a deep desire to disprove the existence of God, most atheists will give little merit to faith and what “feels” right to the Christian (Can you blame them?). They adamantly let you know that your personal emotion and experience means nothing when trying to factually prove the existence of a higher being. So, in this instance, I personally feel that the best way to approach this type of non-believer would be to use Classical or Evidential Apologetics to formulate several examples of the existence of God according to science and leave personal salvation stories for another day.

Now I shall move to the lost, broken, and used-up person whose body is riddled with AIDS (trying to paint a picture). What does this person care about? Do they want to chat about Eschatology, 5 Point Calvinism, Moral Law, or Evolution over a cup of coffee? Or do they want to experience the overwhelming grace and forgiveness offered by a Savior who loves her more than anything they can imagine? The only question they want answered is, “Is there any chance God can forgive me and love me?” Once they hear those words they will, most likely, never give a thought to anything God did or didn’t do, other than saving them. Their Deity-seeking attitude will have been created by the amazing grace they received knowing good and well they didn’t deserve it. This simple story reminds me of Romans 4:1-8 where Abraham is made righteous simply because of his faith. So, it is absolutely plausible to be made righteous by just believing. While I love Christian Apologetics, some Christians need to remember that some people just want to be loved.

What about the body of Christ? Is there a need for apologetics to strengthen believers (besides the obvious of witnessing to atheists)? Absolutely! I do understand the controversy that can arise when a group of believers get together and start talking about Theistic evolution. I, personally, don’t believe this theory, but does it really change foundational Christianity? Also, I do understand how difficult it might be to challenge yourself and to dig deeper in hopes of finding out more about the God who created you, allowed you to fall, and then rescued you. Simply relying on your initial faith “jump” in accepting Christ will only go so far when you must get into the trenches of soul-winning–which, I might add, is part of your calling in the body of Christ. It is quite obvious Paul felt this way. You can certainly find evidence throughout the New Testament. One example that comes to mind is in Philippians 1:15 where he talks about defending the gospel.

I simply bring up Christian Apologetics because I feel many people get side tracked in their quest of ultimate defense. I love nothing more than a good debate, but we must realize that living a happy, productive and righteous life is the best example of all. Remember, don’t pound lest you push away and don’t be unequipped lest you embarrass yourself. Study hard and love even harder.

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