Significance of Apologetics

Apologetics, Greek for 'in defense', is a branch of theology dedicated to defending the Christian faith. Knowledge of apologetics is of utmost importance, because we have two groups of people that we must defend our faith against: ourselves, and everyone else.

Defending myself against me

Doubt is a very powerful force. I am my loudest critic. It is evident that we are commended for our faith. In fact, Abraham is often cited as the first use of the word righteousness in the OT:

[God] took [Abram] outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

- Genesis 15.5-6

This citation is repeated a few more times by NT authors, such as Paul and James. Doubt plays against faith. Without faith, why would one be obedient? Now, I am not advocating blind faith. The concept of blind faith plays directly against the Parable of the Talent (yes, knowledge and ability to think is a talent), giving rise to the importance of knowing your faith and what you believe in and the implications of what science is discovering.

What is truth?

- John 18.38a

Indeed, commentators note that Pilate was ignorant of the fact that Truth was right before him. Blind faith implies that you don't know know if you're chasing after a truth or a lie. How would know if you don't look into the circumstances, the assumptions and the background of the stories that you read? Apologetics is not about memorizing stock answers to stock questions. It is about knowing what I believe in. Important life questions like "why is there pain and suffering?" and "what is the meaning of life?" is easy to read on paper, but difficult to answer when you yourself are suffering. I must be able to defend myself against myself.

Defending Christianity before others

This could come in all sorts of forms. Elijah's account on Mount Carmel isn't quite what I have in mind, but I guess it could work...

We are called to spread the Word. The stigma of Christianity is quite heavy at times, as we need to bear the burden of the people that came before us. What might this include?

• Catholic priests and sexual assault cases (recent news articles)
• Hypocrisy of the modern church (personal ancedocial examples) and other failings of the institutional church
• The Jesus Seminar (first heard of it from Case for Christ by Lee Strobel)
• The common misassumption that Christans blatantly disagrees with science on major theories such as evolution and thus are ignorant of scientific development and evidence (YEC definitely leaves much to desire) and are backward and old-fashioned
• The assumption that Christians "projects" people and only has conversion on their agenda when conversing with non-Christians
• That Christians are a bunch of crazies that doesn't believe in blood transfusion

And the list goes on. At least we don't have an government that'd accuse us of burning down the city...but yes. It becomes our role to overcome these stigmas and prove that yes, we're logical and normal human beings.

But questions would come. Whether it's about...

• morality (CS Lewis' moral compass)
• rationale for stance of policy, such as homosexual marriage
• rationale for living style
• thoughts about current events
• historical accuracy of the Bible (largest stash of intact manuscripts vs other ancient historical documents)
• scientific theories
• religious beliefs

"I don't know" is generally not very impressive. People seems to be surprised that I have first aid training, that I have general biology/psychology knowledge and that I like baking. I've gotten a few "wait, what program are you in again?" ... the point is that I like biology/psychology (I may have very well opted for medicine or a psychology major had I decided against engineering) and thus took steps to learn about them. Granted, the average Christian dude isn't going to care about the Big Bang Theory, but perhaps he should care if he believes in a literal vs figurative translation of Genesis 1-3 (and all its implications). Or why he should disagree with homosexuality (is it actually bad?). It has been raised in BC that, since same-sex marriage is allowed, why shouldn't polygamy be allowed (is THAT bad?)?

Or why he thinks he is saved?

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

- Matthew 7.21-23

Probably one of the harder verses in the Sermon on the Mount (recall that the Sermon on the Mount is delivered to Jewish believers, not random Gentiles). If even Christ would say this about people who thinks are Christians...well. One would need to be very sure that he's in the right place...

Some Apologetics Materials

Mere Christianity by CS Lewis is an excellent first-read for anyone mildly interested in anything apologetics related. Materials by Ravi Zacharias (RZIM) is also very good. I've read a few things by Lee Strobel (ie Case for Christ), which was an interesting read.