Apologetics: (from Greek απολογία (apologia), “speaking in defense”) is the discipline of defending a position (usually religious) through the systematic use of reason. In simpler terms, to us Christians, Apologetics is a defense of our faith, or answer for why we believe what we believe. It is a useful tool to help people recognize that the God of the Bible is real and it is useful to lead people to the Lord.
Recently I’ve been taking the time to talk about God to a few different people who don’t believe in God and have been sharing evidence with them. This has been a fun, challenging, and educating experience for me as it’s been forcing me to do a lot of research lately on Biblical topics. In this, I’m really strengthening my own faith, and hopefully, I’m at least planting seeds in other people’s lives. When I started doing this, I asked, what makes an Apologeticist successful? Here are seven things that I have found necessary to remember when discussing Apologetics in order to be an effective Apologeticsist.
Isaiah 55:11 says, “11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” One of the first things any Apologeticist must learn is that apart from God, we have no power. We have no power to win someone to Christ, so it is important to pray for this person and ask that God would give them an ear to hear. Also, we have no power to make people understand the wisdom of God. All we can do is proclaim God’s word and hope that He takes care of the rest. If we are to ever win someone over to Christ, it must be God’s doing. All we can do is be faithful and believe the promise that God lays before us in this verse. And remember Psalms 126:5 which says, ” 5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Just labor for Christ’s sake, and let him take care of the rest. You might reap joy when you least expect it down the line.
The second thing an Apologeticist must learn is that Apologetics will never in itself save anyone. Someone can agree with you that Evolution isn’t true, and they can agree with you that the Big Bang never happened, but lest they repent and believe the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, they’re still damned to Hell, because of the sin that they have committed. That said, it still very much so has it’s place. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “15But 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:” The Bible says to have a ready defense for your faith. A good apologeticist is one who is well researched and has facts that are ready to be shared at the drop of a hat. Have something to actually say, don’t just say I’m right and your wrong, or just cuz, but have something intelligent to say. Remember however, to stay on target. One thing I like to say to skeptical non believers is this. We can talk all about the Big Bang in Evolution, but what does that have to do with a baby being born of a virgin? What does that have to do with a dead man getting out of his grave? What does that have to do with someone ascending into Heaven? There are multiple accounts of these events happening from sources other than the Bible. So remember, when discussing Apologetics with someone to stay focused on your goal. Your goal isn’t to win a debate about Evolution, but it’s to win them to Christ.
Ephesians 6:12 says, “12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” The third thing that a good Apologeticist must learn is to love and have compassion on the person. You shouldn’t hate the person, but hate their mindset. Remember, lest you accomplish your goal, this persons future doesn’t look too bright. So it is important to be sympathetic towards your skeptic and it is also important to remember not to compromise. In the end, your motive for this discussion should be to please God not man. If God wills for this person to accept His truth, they will. If you compromise truth in your discussion, you render it pointless. For what is gained if you get the person to renounce one lie, but then believe another? This will do nothing more than turn them into a two folds son of Hell, and will make them harder for the next person to reach. Just always remember, when discussing apologetics with someone, that they’re soul is just as important to God as anyone elses.
The fourth thing that an Apologeticist must learn is that when they’re talking to an atheist, they’re talking to a fool. It is for this reason that they must be careful and patient. Their expectations should be lowered a bit, because a fool has a small drive for wisdom; plus, apart from the power of God doing a miraculous work in their heart, you’re not going to succeed. Psalm 53:1 says, “1The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.” Don’t be discouraged when you share something that to you is obvious and they don’t get it. Here are a couple of Proverbs one should consider when speaking with a fool.
Proverbs 12:!5 says, “15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
Proverbs 17:10 says, “10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.”
Proverbs 18:2 says, ” 2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.”
(There’s a lot more Proverbs on fools that would be worth looking up)
Here’s a few more Bible verses to remember when discussing the things of God with a fool.
Romans 1:20,22 says, “20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,”
1 Timothy 6:20 says, “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:”
Fools come up with these false sciences. You ever realize how a lot of debates are called, Christianity verses Science when the Bible has more wisdom and knowledge in it than any Science book? Colossians 2:8 warns, “8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” The fifth thing a good Apologetticist must learn is to be careful and to confirm all facts. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 tells us, “21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” So in short test all things, and be careful with the doctrine of fools. Confirm facts, and throw out fiction.
The sixth step to being an effective Apologeticist must learn to do is to know when it’s time to dust off your feet. Mark 6:11 tells us best, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” If someone isn’t open to talking or just doesn’t seem to be getting it and grasp on to their ignorance. It may be time to share the gospel and let them go, and start focusing on the next person. Don’t force things down peoples throats. Although it may seem in the end to be the loving thing to do, often times it is better to share truth and move on. Maybe someone else might water your seeds, but it does no good towards your ultimate goal if you aggravate the skeptic. You should share truth wherever you go, but do not sit and debate with a closed minded fool. So when it becomes evident that someone isn’t receptive of your truth, don’t hesitate to dust off your feet, give them over to their desires, and move on. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:6, “6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” If they won’t take it, don’t waste your time.
The Seventh and final step to being a good Apoloticist is to be active. Ezekiel 3:17,18 says, “17Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. All Evangelist should be active in at least some way, shape, or form. We are to warn people of the wrath and punishment ahead for their sins. It’s not like that’s all we should tell people about though, for our gospel is good news, and a message of love. That part is just the beginning of it. Our gospel is a message of our God taking our punishment out on His Son so that we can be holy and have eternal life if we repent and believe. Our gospel is one of love and grace, not of doom. All who break the law though and have not the gospel shall be damned. So it is important that we get out and do something so that as Ezekiel puts it, the blood won’t be on our hands. So go out and share, and do something for our good Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. And remember Romans 8:31 which says, “31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
2 Peter 3:2-6
2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
Here are some good Apologetics videos that I have found over the years that might be of help.
Dr. Kent Hovind’s 7 part Creation seminar series:
1 - The Age of the Earth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szBTl3S24MY
2 - The Garden of Eden: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7815613109692636650#
3 - Dinosaurs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsQIF7Yh3hI
4 - Creation Vs. Evolution “Lies in the Textbooks”: http://video.yahoo.com/watch/3002785/8587190
5 - The Dangers of Evolution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUKqWmtc6zY
6 - The Hovind Theory (About the Ark and the Flood): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY0rj-TEx4o
7 - Questions and Answers: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-24125197328580007#
Lee Strobel’s Case for videos (Disclaimer: These videos were published by Zondervan and I do not support Zondervan):
1 - The Case for Christ:
http://www.viddler.com/explore/Jude3/videos/11/
2 - The Case for a Creator:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=688111496234161611#
Word of Truth 8 part Apologetics video seminar by, Pastor/Teacher Chester A. McCalley and Michael Girourd, M.D. and Creation Scientist (They alternate sermons starting with Chester A. McCalley):
1 - The Nature of God or the Word of Man?: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2260135804119591821#
2 - Revelation and Inspiration: The Topside Down Doctrine: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4125650962115308006#
3 - Biblical Interpreation: Crossing the Bridges: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5096627604289878767#
4 - The Best Established Fact of History: Christ’s Resurrection: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5947751712867989297#
5 - Did Moses Write the Pentateuch?: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5522700272959201318#
6 - Is Evolution Science?: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8616851802278553709#
7 - Apparent Contradictions in Scripture Explained: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-727879927913195010#
8 - Why “The Fool” Rejects Truth: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-727879927913195010#docid=-7615777391370235327
More DR. Kent Hovind. These videos are of his “Creation Science and Evangelism College Courses.
CSE 101
1 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=510638127894455439#
2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLVMV6vGwzU
3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNN2bLqgIWI
4 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3416263993326560172#
5 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1733796672073773829#
6 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1638436076819689244#
7 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeGDSFPtLIQ
8 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni_O3Nrqgxo
9 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=338341337262837168#
10 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1199883771629607531#
CSE 102
1 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6622559112250895813#
2 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5564333093699189906#
3 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1067025972554698955#
4 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5050574202121792766#
5 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3260536836183546205#
6 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8066655092949444698#
7 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8629177331136877922#
8 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9015175180270132956#
9 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5833525246901626833#
10 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3412837268945921045#
CSE 103
1 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3736202354183168314#
2 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8413821902378463548#
3 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-212845200661804940#
5 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8442171561947757987#
6 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9220077079766053800#
7 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7168205458018923562#
8 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1241785743161113358#
9 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6713424591005986437#
10 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8548548905451027027#
CSE 104
1 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3726701309741684422#
2 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8708412584186835009#
3 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8657833878157474626#
4 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1422522678352215722#
5 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6170033260772015515#
6 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5478223770184423874#
7 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8166123588019552484#
8 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8403066165622793746#
9 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=155258858007406659#
10 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1798447205405452294#
Please, feel free to add your apologetics videos to this article in a comment so that other can use it. Or if you have any good books/articles, feel free to share titles and authors with me. And if you just have a common Apologetics argument that you like to you use, please, don’t hesitate to share with the rest of us.
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