Apologetics, the branch of theology that seeks to defend the faith by offering logical evidence in its favour, is often considered an ineffective tool for missionary work. How can it be employed in a non-coercive manner to avoid the forced rationalisation of all aspects of faith?
Rational and logical obstacles to Christianity are becoming increasingly widespread. Since the New Atheism movement began in 2001, a host of books and materials have appeared that not only regard the Christian faith as illogical, but also as dangerous. According to Canadian pastor Stephen J. Bedard, Christian leaders must clearly convey the message that there are answers to these attacks and that “Christianity is not a blind faith . . . We do not have to prove that Christianity is absolutely true, but we have to demonstrate that it is something rational.” The Christian faith remains a leap of faith, but it is a leap into the light, not into darkness.
In defence against opposition from critics, apologists clarify the role of their discipline, emphasising that it is a means of creating a clear path for the sceptic to understand the value of the sacrifice of the Son of God, through reasoning and the dispelling of prejudices. In fact, it is a biblical mandate for every Christian: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
When asked why we need apologetics, the renowned American apologist and theologian William Lane Craig offers a three-point answer: to influence contemporary culture, to support believers in churches, and for the non-believers.
- The aim of apologetic endeavours is broad—not merely to defend Christianity against its critics, but, first and foremost, to influence contemporary culture. Using apologetic tools, apologists communicate the Gospel in a way that makes it resonate within Western culture—a culture that is profoundly post-Christian. “It is part of the broader task of Christian scholarship to help create and sustain a cultural milieu in which the Gospel can be heard as an intellectually viable option for thinking men and women…. The gospel is never heard in isolation,” Craig argues.
- Among the benefits that apologetics offers church members, Craig highlights its impact on young people. They need evidence for their beliefs as they are exposed daily to scepticism and relativism. “If parents are not intellectually engaged with their faith and do not have sound arguments for Christian theism and good answers to their children’s questions, then we are in real danger of losing our youth. It’s no longer enough to simply teach our children Bible stories; they need doctrine and apologetics.”
- Finally, apologetics prepares the ground for non-believers to hear the message of the Gospel. Some have argued that rational, logical, and scientific arguments only reach a limited section of society and that this proves the ineffectiveness of apologetics. Craig, however, maintains that although this group is limited, it is highly influential. He gives the example of C.S. Lewis. “Think of the impact that one man’s conversion continues to have! I find that the people who resonate most with my apologetic work tend to be engineers, people in medicine, and lawyers. Such persons are among the most influential in shaping our culture today. So reaching this minority of persons will yield a great harvest for the Kingdom of God. Like a missionary called to reach some obscure people group, the Christian apologist is burdened to reach that minority of persons who will respond to rational argument and evidence.”
When presented persuasively alongside the presentation of the Gospel, apologetics can be a valuable tool for conveying the Christian message to a sceptical world. For centuries, Europe has sent missionaries to travel the world to spread the Christian message. Today, however, the people of Europe live in a post-Christian society, and this lost message must once again come to their attention. Used wisely, Christian apologetics can be one of the ways in which Christianity can survive on the old continent.
