The Problem of Apologetics

Most Christians have heard the term, "apologetics." Hopefully, most understand that it has nothing to do with apologizing for our faith. Instead, it is a reference to defending the faith. The term comes from the Greek apologia meaning "to give an answer." It is the term, in fact, used in 1 Peter 3:15 for "make a defense" or "give a reason". So apologetics is giving reasons for the faith. Indeed, as 1 Peter 3:15 points out, we are called to do it. Jude writes "I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3). We are not merely wise for analyzing the reasons for why we believe; we are commanded.

The problem with all of this, however, is that we tend to lose sight of the problem. A lot of Christians involved in apologetics tend to think that if we can produce the right answers, we can persuade unbelievers. I need to point out that this just isn't the truth. It is ignoring a fundamental problem.

In Matt. 16, the Pharisees and Sadducees demanded a sign from Jesus. Jesus answered, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah" (Matt. 16:2-4). Notice the interesting term Jesus uses: "... you cannot interpret the signs of the times." Now, Jesus affirms here that their normal reasoning capacities are functioning. They can figure out the weather by looking around. But when it comes to spiritual matters, Jesus uses the term "cannot" to express their ability to reason. It's the same thing Paul says in 1 Cor. 2:14 -- "The natural Man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned." People who are dead in sin do not understand because they cannot understand. John writes the same thing in John 12:37-41. They did not believe because they could not believe. So the idea that we might be able to argue people into the kingdom just doesn't take into account the fact that "they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Rom. 1:21). In other words, sin not only produces death; it rots the mind.

Because of this failure of mind found in sinners, a malady from which we all suffer, many today are arguing against arguing. (Never mind the nonsense of such a venture.) They say, "Don't think; just walk by faith!" Oh, they likely never voice that. Instead what you might hear is "lean not on your own understanding." The problem, of course, is that this violates the command to renew our minds, to love God with, among other things, all your mind, to contend for the faith, to give a reason and so many other places that are demanded by Scripture to engage the brain. We seem to be at an impasse. "Not so," says Paul. He writes to Timothy, "Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything" (1 Tim. 2:7). There it is, the perfect combination. Paul tells Timothy, "Your job is to think. God's job is to give you understanding." This should serve as a wake up call to both errors. One side says, "Only through proper thinking can we come to the right answers." No, God gives understanding. The other side says, "Don't use your minds; just walk by faith." No, we are commanded to think. God uses this combination to produce in us a renewed mind which, in turn gives us the "powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil" -- maturity (Heb. 5:14).

Apologetics is good. No, it is commanded. It isn't an option. But neither will it produce believers. That is God's job. It is my conviction that the best function of apologetics is in shoring up the faith of believers. Sometimes in the storm of unbelief on the edge of futility of thinking believers falter. But when we are given the truth -- real reasons to believe -- and that truth is worked by the Spirit in us to produce understanding, it can provide great depth, spiritual maturity, and a bold faith. Oh, and sometimes, maybe, God will use it as His tool to push a non-believer into faith. But that's His job, never ours. So let us not be slack in defending the faith. Let us not waver in contending for the truth. Let's be ready to give a reason for the hope that lies within us, yet always with gentleness and respect.