What is an apologist?

Answer

Apologists are individuals engaged in apologetics, a theological field focused on defending the faith. An apologist refines their ability to defend the Christian faith by presenting evidence from the Bible, logic, and other empirical and intellectual sources. First Peter 3:15 could be seen as a key verse for apologists: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to explain the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

The apostle Paul was a skilled apologist. In Thessalonica, he “entered the synagogue, and for three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead” (Acts 17:2-3;emphasis added). Shortly after, Paul was in Athens addressing Greek philosophers at the Areopagus (Acts 17:22-24). He also defended the gospel before kings, urging them to respond (Acts 26:26-28).

Apologists need to have a deep understanding of the Scriptures and Christian doctrines. Some notable Christian apologists include Norman Geisler, Josh McDowell, William Lane Craig, Lee Strobel, and Daniel B. Wallace.

In a way, all Christians should be apologists. Every believer should be capable of providing a well-reasoned defense of the faith (1 Peter 3:15;2 Timothy 2:25). This doesn’t imply that everyone must be an apologetics expert, but believers should understand the what, why, and how of sharing their beliefs with inquirers. Moreover, we should be sufficiently familiar with the Bible to defend our faith against challenges from non-believers.

Now more than ever, the Ch

The Christian community is facing challenges and opposition from society. Unfortunately, we are also witnessing the foundations of church doctrine being undermined from within. Some individuals within the church distort the Scriptures “to satisfy their own desires, [attracting] a large number of teachers to tell them what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3;cf: Revelation 2:20).

Research conducted by the Barna Group and USA Today revealed that nearly 75 percent of young Christians leave the church after high school. Some of the primary reasons for this departure involve intellectual skepticism, challenges to their faith by godless professors, and persistent peer pressure to indulge in “the things of the world” (1 John 2:15-16). Instruction in apologetics could potentially reduce this spiritual decline.

At the heart of Christian apologetics lies the “hope” that resides within us «but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: », (1 Peter 3:15), and Jesus is the source of that hope (see Titus 2:13). Jesus assures us that “whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32;cf: 2 Timothy 1:8).

While defending our faith should be firm and unwavering, we are called to engage in apologetics “with gentleness and respect” «but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: », (1 Peter 3:15).

3:15). “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful” «And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, », (2 Timothy 2:24). We must speak the truth in love «but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: », (Ephesians 4:15).

It’s not enough for an apologist to have a knowledge of Scripture; he must love people, too. The goal of apologetics is not to win arguments but to lead people to a knowledge of the truth that will set them free «and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. », (John 8:32). “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:25-26).