The Best Way To Christian Apologetics

Apologetics ..... A fun topic, huh ?

For those of you who are not quite sure about apologetics, I will show you what good ole' Wiki says. It does a fine job and it is in-depth but not too lenghtly:

Christian apologetics is the field of study concerned with the systematic defense of Christianity. The term "apologetic" comes from the Greek word apologia (απολογία), which means in defense of. Therefore, a skilled person involved in Christian or Bible Apologetics is a defender of Christianity. Those who engage in Christian apologetics are called "Christian apologists". Christian apologetics have taken many forms over the centuries, starting with Paul of Tarsus, including writers such as Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas, and continuing currently with the modern Christian community, through the efforts of many authors in various Christian traditions such as C.S. Lewis. Apologists have based their defense of Christianity on favoring interpretations of historical evidence, philosophical arguments, scientific investigation, and other disciplines.

This Classical Greek term appears in the Koine (that is, common) Greek of the New Testament. The apostle Paul employed the term "apologia" in his trial speech to Festus and Agrippa when he said, "I make my defense" (Acts 26:2). In the English language, the word apology, derived from the Greek word "apologia", usually refers to asking for forgiveness for an action that is open to blame. Christian apologetics are meant, however, to argue that Christianity is reasonable and in accordance with the evidence that can be examined, analogous to the use of the term in the Apology of Socrates, written by Plato.

Alright, there is the definition and let us push that to the side and let me share with you what I believe is the best "cause" for apologetics.

John 17:20-21 says, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Jesus prayer was that all his followers would experience this kind of meaningful relationships with each other that the Trinity has always experienced. Jesus is saying that the credibility of His life and message in the eyes of unbelievers is dependent upon the way we as followers relate with one another.

In the words of Francis Schaeffer:

Our relationships with each other is the criterion the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful-Christian community is the final apologetic.

Casual connections are not life giving. We need to be in relationships that are life-giving. Another wonderful individual who speaks on community is Randy Frazee and he sums it up wonderfully in this statement:

The development of meaningful relationships where every member carries a significant sense of belonging is central to what it means to be the church. This is a God-ordained gathering that is so strong that "even the gates of hell will not overcome it".

God has called the church to create environments where authentic relationships (community) can take place.

What type of relationships are you in ?

I believe that if we were truly living in christian Community, those outside of Christ would be flocking to us to experience what they can not hold onto or grasp and would be crying and yearning for it.

now, just to be fair. There are those who say to the above: that is hogwash. That is not true apologetics. They would argue that we need good apologetics and they would then list off eight reasons why. Here would be their reasons:

The first and most obvious is because we are commanded to defend the faith.

Second, we need apologetics because it helps Christians know their faith.

Third, apologetics is an attempt to keep people out of hell.

Fourth, we need apologetics to counter the bad image that Christianity has received in the media and in culture.

Fifth, we need apologetics because there is a constant threat of apostasy in the visible Christian church.

Sixth, another reason we need apologetics is because of the many false teachings out there.

Seventh, the rise of immorality in America is a threat not only to society but also to Christianity.

The eighth reason we need apologetics is because schools are not friendly to Christianity.

They would conclude by the following:

The fact is that Christianity is under attack in the world and we need to fight the good fight of the faith without shrinking back. We need apologetics to give rational, intelligent, and relevant explanations of Christian viability to the critics and the prejudiced who would seek to undermine the teachings of our Lord Jesus. If there was ever a time that apologetics is needed, it is now.

To this, I would say, you are absolutely correct. Apologetics is greatly needed and it needs to be done with Christians embedding the two greatest commandments into their lives: Love God, Love Others