This post will examine apologetics and offer suggestions for increasing apologetic skills.

What is Apologetics?

The word apologetic is found in the underlying Greek text and translated most commonly as the word’s “defense” and “answer.” For example, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15, KJV 1900). Peter says that Christians should be able to give an “answer” to their faith and hope.

Another example includes Paul speaking to the mob of angry people in Ephesus. It must have been an intense few moments. Paul said, “Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you” (Acts 22:1–2, KJV 1900). Paul offers a defense for his faith in the resurrection of Jesus. He declares why there is only one God, and not many gods, like the Ephesian citizens, believed in. They particularly followed the false goddess ,Diana. Monotheism, or a singular God as opposed to a plurality of gods, was a new concept to the gentile world in Paul’s day.

In both passages above, we discover that Christians are responsible for giving an answer or defense for what they believe. “The aim of apologetics is to prove the reasonableness of our faith.”^[1] Apologetics simply offers a response and reason for one’s faith.

Why is the Study of Apologetics Important?

Robert Mackintosh summarizes, “In studying Christian evidences, we are seeking to discover and exactly define the reason we have for believing as we do—the reason for our faith in Christianity—if one should not rather say, for our faith in Christ. We are studying and testing the grounds of our most sacred convictions.”^[2] Having facts ready and seeing the world with a biblical worldview go a long way towards having an answer concerning one’s faith. Author Sean McDowel offers a list of potentially tough questions that seekers or skeptics may ask. They are:

How would you respond? Would you have a thoughtful response to these pressing questions? Would your response or defense be accurate theologically and biblically?

These questions and similar ones that the Christians will be asked are why the study of God’s word and investigation in the field of theology and apologetics are so important. F.J. Koch writes, “The need for apologetics arises from the fact that man reflects and inquires. Every thoughtful Christian ought to be able to give an account of the convictions bearing on his eternal destiny.”^[4] Will you respond well when asked a question about life, Christianity or Jesus? The Bible says we should be ready to respond, to give a defense.

Suggestions for Increasing Apologetical Skills

Truth Defended seeks to equip the church to defend its faith with engaging theology and reasonable apologetics. Through the blog (such as you are reading now), The Truth Defended Podcast (which is available on Apple, Spotify, and iHeart Radio), The Truth Defended Conference (to be held annually at the Wilton Baptist Church) and the Truth Defended website, Truth Defended is doing what it can to equip fellow followers of Jesus.

Here are five more areas to find apologetic and theology help:

• Apologetics Ministries. There are several fantastic similar ministries with a national audience who offer helpful resources. Here is a link to those ministries on our Truth Defended website.
• Church Attendance. Consistent participation in Bible teaching at a local church will also provide solid messages and fellowship with like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage your faith further.
• Book Study. Many helpful books and materials can be studied to equip your heart and mind more to share a biblical response when seekers come to you asking questions. Here is a list of resources that you may wish to invest in.
• Asking God. Praying for the Spirit of God to help you remember the lessons learned at church and the materials studied is also a good option (John 14:26).
• Current Events. Recent discoveries in science or archeology can provide evidence for Christianity. Some may not see it at first, but if one has a Christian worldview, knowing that all of life starts with God, your daily news feed can also be used to answer your faith.

Please take some time to see each page on our Truth Defended website. Subscribe to the blog to have these articles sent to your inbox. Choose to follow The Truth Defended Podcast on your favorite podcasting device. Then, share these resources with others. Let’s be prepared and ready to offer people engaging theology and reasonable apologetics like Peter and Paul. People around us are looking for an answer and will eventually ask us questions. Let’s be ready to defend our faith.

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^[1] F. J. Koch, A Manual of Apologetics, ed. Charles Bruehl, trans. A. M. Buchanan (New York: Joseph F. Wagner, 1915), 1.

^[2] Robert Mackintosh, A First Primer of Apologetics (London: Elliot Stock, 1900), 1.

^[3] Sean McDowell, “Introduction to the Apologetics Study Bible for Students,” in The Apologetics Study Bible for Students, ed. Sean McDowell (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), iii.

^[4] F. J. Koch, A Manual of Apologetics, ed. Charles Bruehl, trans. A. M. Buchanan (New York: Joseph F. Wagner, 1915), 2.