Why Is Apologetics So Important? | Why Apologetics?

Summary

The speaker explores the concept of Christian apologetics, distinguishing it from the common misconception of apologizing for one's faith. Apologetics, as a theological discipline, is divided into positive and negative branches, with the former providing arguments for Christianity and the latter addressing objections. The talk aims to make a case for the necessity of apologetics, despite some opposition within the church, and outlines four reasons why it is essential: biblical command, cultural demand, church necessity, and confirmed results.

Takeaways

• 😶 The speaker often faces difficulty explaining their job as an apologist, a role that is not commonly understood even within the church.
• 🔍 Christian apologetics is a branch of theology focused on providing a reasoned defense for the Christian faith, distinguishing it from an apology for being a Christian.
• 📚 There are two main categories in Christian apologetics: positive, which offers arguments for Christianity, and negative, which defends against objections.
• 🤼‍♂️ Positive apologetics is about taking the offense by presenting arguments supporting the existence of God, the Bible's reliability, and the deity of Christ.
• 🛡 Negative apologetics is about taking the defense by addressing challenges such as the problem of evil, alleged Bible contradictions, and accusations of intolerance.
• 👨‍⚖️ The speaker likens apologists to lawyers, presenting arguments and counterarguments persuasively in a courtroom setting.
• 📖 The upcoming sessions will not directly engage in apologetics but will instead argue for the importance and necessity of making a case for Christianity.
• 🤔 There is a notable opposition to apologetics within the church, with some viewing it as a threat to genuine Christian faith.
• 🏆 The irony is highlighted where a book against apologetics itself engages in apologetics by arguing against the practice.
• 📈 The speaker outlines four broad reasons for engaging in Christian apologetics: biblical command, cultural demand, church need, and confirmed results.
• 📝 The script encourages an exploration of the rationale behind the practice of apologetics, suggesting that it is both commanded and beneficial.

Q & A

What is an apologist and why might their job be difficult to explain to others?

An apologist is someone who engages in Christian apologetics, which is a branch of theology that provides a reasoned defense for the Christian faith. Their job might be difficult to explain because it's not as commonly known as other professions, and it involves complex discussions and arguments that may not be immediately understood by everyone.

What are the two sub-disciplines of Christian apologetics mentioned in the script?

The two sub-disciplines of Christian apologetics are positive and negative apologetics. Positive apologetics involves giving arguments for Christianity, focusing on offense, while negative apologetics involves answering objections or challenges against Christianity, focusing on defense.

What is the difference between positive and negative apologetics?

Positive apologetics provides arguments for the existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, or the deity of Christ, emphasizing offense. Negative apologetics, on the other hand, defends against objections such as the problem of evil, alleged Bible contradictions, or accusations of intolerance, emphasizing defense.

What does the speaker suggest when they say 'We make other people sorry we're Christians'?

This is a humorous way of saying that apologetics is not about apologizing for being a Christian but rather about presenting a strong case for Christianity that can challenge others' views or misconceptions.

What is the purpose of the sessions that follow the introduction in the script?

The purpose of the sessions is not to do apologetics proper, which would involve making the case for Christianity, but to make a case for making a case for Christianity, providing a defense for the practice of apologetics itself.

What is the stance of Myron Penner, as mentioned in the script, towards apologetics?

Myron Penner, an Anglican priest, is critical of apologetics. He believes that apologetics might be the single biggest threat to genuine Christian faith, as stated in his book 'The End of Apologetics: Christian Witness In a Post Modern Context.'

How does the speaker describe the irony in Myron Penner's book?

The irony is that Penner's book, which is against apologetics, ends up doing the very thing it argues against by making a case against making a case, thus becoming an apologetic against apologetics itself.

What award did Myron Penner's book receive in 2014 and in which category?

In 2014, Myron Penner's book received an award from Christian Today in the category of apologetics and evangelism, which is ironic given the book's content against apologetics.

What are the four broad responses the speaker has when asked why we should engage in Christian apologetics?

The speaker's four broad responses are: the Bible commands it, the culture demands it, the church needs it, and the results confirm it.

What is the main goal of the speaker in presenting the case for apologetics?

The main goal is to explore and provide a defense for the practice of apologetics, explaining its importance and necessity in the context of Christianity and its interactions with culture and society.

How does the speaker compare an apologist to a lawyer in court?

The speaker compares an apologist to a lawyer standing in front of a judge and jury, giving a defense for their position, presenting arguments and counter-arguments persuasively, which is what apologists do in making a case for Christianity.