Apologetics 101 – Introduction

Equipping you with Good Answers to Tough Questions

5/6 mins read

Welcome to the first blog in this new series where I hope to equip you with good answers to difficult, probing questions about the Christian faith.

But first things first. What is apologetics?

It comes from the Greek word Apologia and in classical times simply meant “defence”. In a court of law, an apologetic was mounting a defence for the defendant at trial.

“Christian apologetics…is…a presentation and defence of its claims to truth and relevance in the great market place of ideas.”

Prof Alister McGrath

In Acts 7, Stephen makes a defence before his accusers in Jerusalem. And several times in the book of Acts, Paul sets out a defence for the gospel. He wanted people to see the reasonableness of faith in Christ.

Paul referenced the prophetic passages of the Old Testament and showed how Jesus, during His life on earth, was the exact fulfilment of these prophecies. Furthermore, Paul appeals to the historicity of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, not least in the large number of eyewitnesses who saw the Resurrected Christ.

There are two main reasons why it is important for you to search for answers to life’s tough questions. First, so that you personally become more and more convinced of the truth of your own Christian faith, that it has a solid foundation based in fact. It should be entirely consistent with the world around you and help you to make sense of your life.

Second, so that you are equipped to give convincing answers to those who are themselves asking life’s big questions.

“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 3.15

I used to practise as a lawyer. I had to weigh up evidence all the time. In civil cases, you had to show ‘on balance of probabilities’ that someone had acted wrongly and was therefore liable to pay compensation. In other words, the judge has to know that it is more likely than not that the defendant acted wrongly.

In criminal cases, you had to show ‘beyond all reasonable doubt’ that the defendant was guilty (eg. of assault or murder). In other words, the jury has to be sure that the defendant committed the crime. That is the highest burden of proof in the English legal system.

In each blog in this series, you will be presented with evidence and arguments in support of the issue under consideration. Hopefully, it will be convincing and persuasive enough for you to be sure about life’s big questions.

“What one has to do is consider lots of different issues and see whether or not the answers one gets add up to a total picture that makes sense.”

John Polkinghorne

I also want to say from the outset that you cannot usually argue someone into becoming a Christian. You can present persuasive arguments, yet some people still won’t believe. Two things have to line up – reason (or facts) which appeals to the mind and revelation (or faith) which appeals to the heart:

• Reason or facts. I reason with my mind; I think it through; I am persuaded by the arguments. This is what this series of blogs is about.

• Revelation or faith. This affects my heart and my emotions. “I now know it’s true! I feel like someone’s turned the light on!” It’s like the blinkers have been taken off. This person might not be able to give you factual evidence, but they are utterly convinced that it’s true!

All of us need a measure of both reason and revelation. Some will need more reason (argument and persuasion); others will need greater revelation. God knows what each person needs.

In my next blog, I am going to try and answer the question, ‘Does God exist?’ The question might be asked in other ways:

“What evidence is there for the existence of God?”

“Can we believe in God these days?”

“Hasn’t science displaced the need for faith in God?”

Have you got questions you would like answers to? Why not suggest them to me, and I will tackle them. In the absence of questions from you, I have plenty in mind to work through. I have also listed below a few good books on apologetics which you can search for at eden.co.uk or standrewsbookshop.co.uk, or other online sources.

Until next time…

Books on Apologetics

Tactics (10th anniversary edition) – Gregory Koukl

The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict – Josh McDowell

Mere Christianity – C S Lewis

God in the Dock – C S Lewis

The Case for Christ/the Creator/Faith – series of books by Lee Strobel

The Logic of God – Ravi Zacharias

(for children) That’s a Good Question – J John