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Introduction to Apolologetics
What
is Apologetics?
Derives from the Greek word "apologia", or defense. Apologetics
is the science and art of crafting and presenting reasonable defenses
for the truth of Christianity.
The Biblical Case for Apologetics
"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart, always being ready
to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account
for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."
--1 Peter
3:15
Apologetics
was a common practice that accompanied the proclamation of the
Gospel in the New Testament:
- Jesus
used testimony and evidences to confirm His identity (Matthew
4:23; John 5:31-36; 10:37-38; 20:30-31)
- Paul
routinely reasoned from the perspective of the audience (Acts
9:22, 14:15-17, 17:2-4, 17:16-32, 26:25-29; 28:23, Romans 1:18-2:16,
1 Corinthians 9:20-23, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
Faith vs. Reason
- Thanks
to sin, human wisdom has become entangled with pride. As a result,
"not many who are wise" are among the believers in the gospel
(1 Corinthians 1:21), which demands humility.
- Faith
is equally available to all. Unlike knowledge of, say, quantum
physics or classical Chinese, faith requires no special intellectual
gifts. "I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent
and didst reveal them to babes." (Matthew 11:25)
- When
Paul condemns human "wisdom" and "philosophy," or Luther condemns
"reason," it is not the gift of reasoning and knowledge that
is being condemned, but only its abuse, as twisted by pride
and sin. (Isaiah 29:13-14, 1 Corinthians 1:18-21, 1:27-29, 2:1-5,
2:13-14, 3:18-20, Colossians 2:8, 23, 1 Timothy 6:20, James
3:15-17)
- Jesus
instructed us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and all your soul and with all your mind." (emphasis
added, Mat. 22:37)
- Luther's
famous Diet of Worms proclamation in 1521: "Unless I am convinced
by Scripture and plain reason, my conscience is captive
to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything.
Here I stand, I can do no other!"
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