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Christian Apologetics 101

Christian Apologetics 101

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What is Apologetics?

"The task of developing and sharing arguments for the truth and rationality of Christianity and the falsehood and irrationality of alternatives with the aim of strengthening the faith of believers and provoking non-believers to consider Christ."

The term ’apologetics’ derives from the Greek word apologia. Although it is derived from the same word as the English noun ’apology’ and adjective ’apologetic’ the meaning is quite significantly different. In the ancient Greek world an apologia was a legal defence of oneself, similar to the speech a modern-day defence lawyer makes on behalf of their client. It did not mean “a regretful acknowledgement of an offence or failure” (the Oxford English Dictionary definition of ’apology’) but a carefully reasoned defence of one’s beliefs or actions.

- Dr. Paul Coulter

What are the origins of Apologetics?

"In the second century AD, as Christianity began to engage at an intellectual level with Greek philosophy and attracted greater attention from Roman society, a number of writers produced reasoned defences of the Christian faith. Of these Justin Martyr (c. 100-165 AD), a gentile from Samaria who was converted after seeking truth in numerous philosophies and eventually died as a martyr in Rome, is probably the best known and the most significant. These writers are generally referred to as ‘the apologists’. Their writings collectively show three major concerns:

• To defend Christianity against false accusations (e.g. that Christians were atheists, sexually immoral or cannibals)
• To argue for the truth of Christianity on the basis that it fulfilled Old Testament prophecy
• To show that Christianity was superior to or fulfilled Greek philosophical ideas."

- Dr. Paul Coulter

What is the purpose of Apologetics?

"Apologetics is generally said to have three functions, although it should be realised that not all Christian apologists accept that all three functions are valid (some would say that we should not try to construct positive arguments for Christian faith but simply focus on refuting accusations against it) and there is considerable variation between different schools of apologetics as to what arguments should be used within each function:

1) Arguments for the truth of the Christian faith (vindication / proof / positive apologetics)

2) Arguments refuting accusations made against the Christian faith (defence / negative apologetics)

3) Refutation of opposing beliefs (offense)"

- Dr. Paul Coulter


This program is made possible by gifts to the Texas Baptists Cooperative Program.
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