Apologetics 101

What is meant by “Christian Apologetics?”

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Dr. John Lennox, Christian Apologist

apologetics |əˌpäləˈjetiks|

pl.noun [ treated as sing. or pl. ]

reasoned arguments or writings in justification 
of  something, typically a theory or religious doctrine.

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A Disgruntled Chocula

  While engaged in a discussion with a Christian friend of mine I made the following statement:  “What we Christians really need to be better at is our apologetics.”  Upon hearing this, my friend recoiled and made a face reminiscent of a disgruntled Count Chocula before emphatically responding, “I totally disagree!  We spend too much time apologizing as it is.  We simply must be more confident in our witness.”

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   Clearly a communication breakdown had occurred…  and not the sort of Communication Breakdown (pictured right) that one desires to revisit again and again.  Nay!  This was a simple breakdown of verbiage.  When my friend heard the word “apologetics” he had thought I was suggesting that Christians should go around apologizing to everyone for the claims of Chrsitianity – but nothing could have been further from the truth!  

The only desirable example of "Communication Breakdown."

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So…  What is meant by “apologetics” anyway?

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 Well, in terms of our Christian beliefs, apologetics are simply a reasoned, biblical defense of the truths we profess.  The actual word "apologetic" comes from an ancient Greek word meaning “suitable for defense” as commanded in biblical passages like - say - 1 Peter 3:15:

      "...in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

 One of the great Christian Apologists of our day is a man named John Lennox.  Read anything he's written, listen to any lecture he's given and you'll be better for it!  To learn more about Dr. Lennox and to witness a great example of Christian Apologetics in action why not watch the video below?  It is a lecture given by Lennox at the "Faith Has Its Reasons Conference" at Ridley Melbourne College in 2014.  Enjoy!