Apologetics – Definition of Apologetics

Defining Apologetics

What is the definition of apologetics? Many in the church know apologetics as ‘defending the Christian faith.’ More formally stated, it is “concerned with the defense of the Christian faith against charges of falsehood, inconsistency, or credulity.”^[1] While nicely put, this definition quickly broadens. Most agree that there’s a positive side and a negative side to apologetics. On the negative side, apologetics is a defense of Christianity; on the positive side, it is an offense where people are advised to accept it.^[2] Once the positive side is added, it now becomes linked with evangelism. “Those who share the gospel must also defend the gospel. People are seeking answers to their questions. Through apologetics we can find those answers.”^[3]

Yet the definition of apologetics further broadens. The Great Commission also shows a link between evangelism and teaching. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” (Mt. 28:19, 20, emphasis mine). Christian teaching should completely transform a person’s worldview so that it aligns with the worldview of Christ (Mt. 11:29; Rom. 8:28; 12:2; Eph. 5:26). But for a person to be moved into a new worldview, their old worldview with its reasoning and values must be broken down and the new worldview must be proven to be better. This is also the role of apologetics. This transformation of worldviews will involve theology, philosophy and hermeneutics.

Areas touched by apologetics^[4]

Since biblical teaching involves learning about God’s nature, nature of man, etc., apologetics is also linked to the study of theology. “The conceptual content of apologetics depends on theology, the goal of which is to systematically and coherently articulate the truth claims of the Bible according to various topics, such as the doctrine of God, salvation and Christ.”^[5]

While studying theology, it is impossible to avoid discussions about metaphysics, values (axiology and ethics), knowledge (epistemology) and logic. Therefore, apologetics is also concerned with philosophy. “A Christian-qua-apologist, then, must be a good philosopher (even if not a professional philosopher). This is nonnegotiable and indispensable.”^[6] Finally, since Christianity involves interpreting special revelation correctly (the Bible), apologetics also involves hermeneutics. “Apologetics requires skill in reading the Bible aright, since one would not want to defend something not warranted by Scripture…”^[7]

Therefore, it is almost a category mistake to ask the question, ‘Which apologetic method is correct?’ Are we talking about evangelism, theology, philosophy or hermeneutics? It is unreasonable to think there is a single method today that is ‘the best’ approach covering all the nuances of what apologetics is. The best approach will change depending on the area being addressed.

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1. Steven B. Cowan, ed., Five Views on Apologetics (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2000), 8. ↑
2. H. Wayne House, The Evangelical Dictionary of World Religions (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2018), 27. I should add that another word to describe this positive aspect of apologetics is polemics. ↑
3. Phil Fernandes, The Fernandes Guide to Apologetic Methodologies (Bremerton, WA: Institute of Biblical Defense, 2016), Kindle loc. 83. ↑
4. Graphic includes icons made by Freepik, https://www.flaticon.com/authors/freepik. ↑
5. Groothuis said, “Apologetics is linked to theology, philosophy and evangelism, but it is not reducible to any one of these disciplines.” See Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2011), 27. ↑
6. Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 27 ↑
7. Ibid. ↑