by Mark Clark Ph.D. & Kathy Ross
Reasons To Believe

The word apologetics may be more familiar today than it was a decade or two ago. And yet there are still many people to whom it sounds strange. It comes from a Greek word, apologia, which means to make a defense or to make a case for one's cause (Thayer's Greek Lexicon). That cause may be anything about which people argue passionately, but in the case of [Sword&Spirit], apologetics refers to defending the cause of Christ, making a case for personal faith in Him.

Though there are more Christians (both numerically and proportionately) alive today than at any time in history, the opposition to Christianity seems stronger than ever. The exhortation of I Peter 3:15 has never been more urgent: "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense [apologia] to every one who asks you to give an account of the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (NASB). Jude 3 also tells us "to contend earnestly for the faith ' "

Whether we're involved in sales, athletics, chess, the military, or any other type of contest, the old adage applies: "The best defense is a good offense." We believe this applies in Christian apologetics, too. Notice the emphasis of the 1 Peter passage. It begins with an exhortation to give Jesus Christ His rightful place, a uniquely "set apart" place, above everything else in our hearts. In practical terms, this means opening and exposing our hearts to Him on a continual basis, letting Him point out areas where repentance and change and growth are needed, allowing Him to build godly character in us and to renew (i.e., "renovate") our minds.

Being ready to make a defense also suggests the preparedness that comes from study. A growing knowledge of the Scriptures is vital. Participation both in individual study and in small group Bible study can be an invaluable benefit not only to our familiarity with and understanding of the Bible but also to our fluency in articulating what we have learned.

Additional study is important, too. Though some people need only to hear a clear and simple presentation of the Gospel to receive Christ, others will not be able to respond so quickly. Knowing the kinds of questions and challenges we are likely to face in discussing our faith with these others and preparing responses to their questions and challenges can give us a sense of readiness that invites and encourages opportunities for discussion. Whether we see ourselves as the "philosophical" or "intuitive" or "prove-it-to-me" types, the verse in I Peter indicates that we are to be ready to answer every type of person. So, we would do well to think about the needs of a wide variety of people. To us, that thinking means equipping ourselves with an array of apologetics tools provided by a variety of authors and teachers such as Francis Schaeffer, josh McDowell, F. F. Bruce, J. P. Moreland, Hugh Ross, and many others.

Whatever we have studied and prepared, however, will be worthless unless we combine our preparation with discernment and compassion. Often the questions and challenges people raise serve as tests of our sincerity and character or as smoke screens covering hidden moral and emotional issues. Through compassion we can "have mercy on some, who are doubting," while through discernment we can "save others, snatching them out of the fire" (Jude 22, 23).

The work of a Christian apologist is unique. Virtually every cause, movement, ideology, religion, and cult has its apologists, and typically they counter every argument with another argument, sometimes with hate, estrangement, and even the sword. Were Christianity just one more cause or philosophy or religion, perhaps it would encourage such tactics, but it is not and does not. The Christian apologist's calling reflects the character of the God he serves. As in every Christian service, there is "a still more excellent way," and that way is love (I Corinthians 12:31-13:13).

We hope it has become obvious that the verses cited above are applicable not just to a select few Christians, to certain "specially-gifted" ones, but to each and every one of us. Not all of us are called to make Christian apologetics a career, but apologetics is, in a sense, the life's work of each follower of Christ. Given the current level of antagonism toward Christianity, we would say that this is no time for any believer to go AWOL. The Lord has commissioned us for service; so let's all get involved and reap the blessings that follow.

REASONS TO BELIEVE, P.O. Box 5978, Pasadena, CA 91117 (626) 335-1480.

Copyright © 1991, Reasons To Believe

Sword & Spirit Ministries
P.O. Box 712 • Murrieta, CA 92564

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