Why is apologetics necessary

When the wise King Solomon said there was nothing new under the sun, he could have also been referring to objections to religious truth.

Fortunately for us, for as long as there have been objections, there have been those with an open heart willing to explore the pages of scripture and the history of the world to look for explanations to our deepest questions.

However, the study of apologetics is not just something for those with lots of free time and a natural disposition to studying. It is actually something commanded for all Christians. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Are you interested in learning more about apologetics as a tool for winning people to a saving knowledge of Jesus as their Savior? Grace Theological Seminary offers many pathways for those exploring a career in ministry.

For residential students, our accelerated program provides an efficient and cost-effective way to be equipped for any area of ministry. Learn more today! Dedicated to teaching, training, and transforming the whole person for local church and global ministry. Home » Resources » Blog » What is Apologetics? What is apologetics? Why is apologetics important? Request Info about Grace Seminary. Meanwhile, large segments of the younger generation are growing apathetic toward the discussion.

Nevertheless, the prevalence of postmodern thought accounts for a shift in the way people see truth. Although this shift has affected many areas of life in our culture, it has had a potent affect on believers in Christ--particularly, apathy toward learning and practicing apologetics among young believers. This article will explore the reasons for this growing trend and its unforeseen consequences.

When I began following Christ eight years ago, my friends agreed that learning to defend your faith was important. Studying apologetics was a way to solidify the confidence we already had in our faith. Apologetics served to further convince us that our faith was grounded in sufficient reason. But our eagerness went beyond our own confidence-building, as we also learned to defend our faith and answer questions our non-Christians friends had.

For several years, I have had the privilege of serving in high school ministry. During this time, I have noticed a growing resistance towards learning how to defend the faith. This is being replaced with a new emphasis on how God changes lives and finding ways to expose people to Christian community. Each week, I spend time with younger brothers and teach them the Bible. Sadly, I suspect that many well-intentioned Christians, like this brother, would give a similar response to questions challenging the central beliefs of Christianity.

How do we account for this? Without being simplistic, I admit that other factors contribute to this departure from apologetics. Nevertheless, in a line up of possible suspects, a shift in the way people see truth stands out as the primary culprit. At the heart of postmodern ideology is a rejection of what some people call the correspondence theory of truth.

This theory suggests that statements are true when they agree with reality. Once this theory is rejected, truth ceases to be defined by ideas and words according with an independent reality. Swept by the powerful current of epistemic change in our culture, many have desperately clung to alternative theories of truth. Disillusioned with the correspondence theory, our culture largely embraces the pragmatic theory of truth.

Of course, some people see truth this way. However, the implications of their view do not materialize until it is pressed to its logical conclusion. These statements reflect the fact that people see similar outcomes in the lives of those having radically different beliefs.

For instance, when people observe a Muslim and a Christian being sacrificial, they naturally conclude that both religions are true. This is because both produce good outcomes in the lives of those who believe. Traditionally, truth had been determined by its correspondence to reality. Rather than rejecting the correspondence theory, many Christians have deemphasized its importance. In its place, they have shifted their emphasis towards the pragmatic theory of truth.

Some may be scratching their heads and wondering what relevance this has to the declining interest in apologetics. We must realize that the way we view truth is the basis for the way we view Scripture. As we read the Bible, the way we view truth acts as a lens through which we peer.

Once we begin to see the Bible this way, we no longer feel the need to defend its truth claims. Consequently, the Bible becomes primarily a devotional tool that transforms lives. This shift has also affected the way many believers interact with non-Christians.

Many students I talk to who are committed to evangelism do not use rational arguments while witnessing to their friends. Relating their experiences, sharing their stories, and exposing individuals to the uniqueness of Christian community have eclipsed engaging misconceptions held by the people they are evangelizing.

The hope is that when people see our changed lives and the love within our community, they will eventually put the pieces together and believe in Christ. Tragically, these accusations targeting Biblical inerrancy are typically met with silence.

Over time, as our faith is constantly besieged, fissures begin to develop in the walls of confidence we have in the Biblical worldview. Gradually we will begin to wonder if the changes we experienced are a result of social pressure, rather than supernatural intervention.

Another trend is that people who are disinterested in learning how to defend their faith usually follow God only for the quality of life He provides. I know many Christians who will tell you that they follow Christ for the deep relationships, the fulfillment they receive, the feelings of excitement, etc.

Though it is normal for a Christian to experience these things, they should not be the main reason why we follow God. We should live the Christian life because what the Bible says is true. Part of my burden for writing this article is that many people I care about have been affected by these problems. Still fresh in my mind is an example of a young brother I attempted to mentor.

He decided that he did not want to follow Christ anymore because he was unhappy. You should do these things because what we believe is true. From the expression on his face, I could tell he was thinking of how to avoid the obvious answer. My fear is that there are many believers just like him: unconvinced of the Biblical worldview. In each of these cases, in the declining interest in apologetics has led to weakened faith.

Without a secure ground to stand on during difficult times, many Christians will lack the fortitude to continue walking with God. First of all, pragmatism is not altogether wrong. For instance, the Bible tells us that when we pray with an attitude of thanksgiving and trust, we will experience peace that surpasses all comprehension. Even though things like inner peace validate our beliefs, they are insufficient to determine their truthfulness. As a result, people are without excuse. Becoming a Christian takes faith and belief.

Establishing a foundation in apologetics early on may also help guard against the church drift many young adults who grow up in church experience as they get older. The facts and evidence are on the side of Christianity. Despite the value of discovering apologetics early in life, many Christians only become familiar with the topic in a specialized Bible study class or during higher education courses.

Instead of talking down to or underestimating kids and students, we need to be equipping them with the truth and sending them out to change the world.