Apologetics is the art and science of defending the Christian faith. The field of Apologetics is not about apologizing but about providing logic and facts to undergird and explain biblical beliefs. The word derives from the Greek apologia (ἀπολογία), meaning a legal defense in response to a charge against you. The hope of every apologist is to address arguments brought against salvation in Jesus Christ. After a person’s concerns against Christianity have been addressed by Apologetics, the hope is for them to hear the Gospel truth in its purity. Apologetics is not itself the Gospel message but must be able to present the Gospel message in love.
There are many facets from which to approach Apologetics such as history, science, and textual analysis but the core of field of study is philosophy. Scripture warns against empty philosophy according to human tradition (Colossians 2:7) but Apologetics is the Christian philosophy set up against worldly philosophy. Honest reasoning, proper science, and thoughtful study of the Bible will reveal the truth of God. Our Lord is the creator of the universe who designed all things, so science, logical reasoning, and history should reveal our Lord at work in His creation.
Some recommended websites for Christian Apologetics are:
The collection of confessional documents in the Lutheran faith. For discernment about various theological matters (such as baptism or the Lord’s Supper), this is the best place to go. The website also has many other documents written around the time of the confessional documents for background theology and history.
Creation Ministries International
Possibly the best online database for defending the traditional Christian view of the creation of the universe. The website has hundreds of articles written by scientists, philosophers, and theologians going through all topics related to what happened “in the beginning” and its effects for today.
A growing resource from Dr. Nancy Almodovar. Her specialty is confronting modern and ancient doctrines that diverge away from Christianity.
CARM.ORG, The Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry
A great resource to find many articles in many different aspects of Apologetics.
Pastor Adam Chandler as an interest in Apologetics and attended the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism, and Human Rights in Strasbourg for the 2017 session. He is currently awaiting the 2022 for a postponed defense of his thesis “Good is God: A Comparison of Christian and Metaethical Theory on the Ontology of Goodness”. The thesis is about how God is Himself the foundation of goodness and that secular philosophies either reflect this or are found to be objectively wrong. The Academy’s program is recommended for anyone who wants a rigorous education in the defense of the faith. It teaches nine subjects:
- Apologetic Task Today
- Biblical Authority
- Philosophical Apologetics
- Literary Apologetics
- Historical Apologetics
- Legal Apologetics and Human Rights
- Cults, Sects, and the World’s Religions
- Apologetics and Medical Issues
Also check out Pastor Chandler’s recommended books for Apologetics on his booklist.