Apologetic is an important theoretic discipline that has
been contested by many people, theologians and those opposing them. Such
individuals argue that people do not just go to Christ through arguments. To
them, intellectual answers will suffice.
It happens that Christians do not just start following Christ through
evidence, arguments or philosophical appeal; rather, their personal religious experiences
convert them. This is why some individuals believe that apologetics does not
serve any role at all, worship and evangelization does.
1 Peter 3: 13-16 is a passionate appeal to Christians to evangelize.
The bible argues that Christians should be ready to give answers to those
seeking to know why there is hope[1].
Jesus Christ insists that believers should exercise humility as the answer so
that those speaking to Christians maliciously against their good behavior may
be shamed. For this reason, gentleness and respect is a prerequisite for the
apologetic. 1 Peter Chapter 15 argues that “be prepared to give an answer to
anyone who asks you to give a reason for your hope[2]”
this one calls for Christians to provide evidence and defend against malicious
attack.
Apologetic is a command for believers as it takes God’s mode
of commanding. Mathew 28 commission believers to “go, make disciples…[3]”
the tone is that of command required of all believers. This means that
apologetic is not optional but mandatory for all believers to follow.
Christians
should be ready to respond to those who seek to know and explain what they believe
since apologetic is connected to the Christian hope.
Types of
Apologetic Arguments
Evidential apologetics takes the persuasive approach to
provide evidence for belief in Christianity[4].
This type capitalizes on cumulative case for belief. The apologist will supply
a string of persuasive biblical evidence to the believers hoping of convincing
them of the biblical truth. They may refer to the death and suffering of Christ
and link it to the prophetic wisdom to justify the need for salvation. On the
other hand, presuppositional
apologetics build their case on preconceived ideas and knowledge[5].
For instance, they argue that everyone is sinful basing on the biblical
knowledge. This will draw evidence from the fall of man in the book of genesis
and Christ’s love for humanity. The approach used by the presuppositional
apologetics entails getting to the root of the matter, which is the
non-believers weakness which is sin. Romans 3:23 quotes “for everyone has
sinned, we are all short of God’s glory” to provide room for redemption. Lastly,
classical apologetics
uses logic and reason to build arguments for the existence of God and the need
to convert[6].
The cases are built around ontological, oral, and cosmological arguments to
overcome the objections of the non-believers. Ones convinced, the non-believers
will be left to make a personal decision.
Bibliography
Brian K. Morley,
Mapping Apologetics: Comparing Contemporary Approaches (Downers Grove: Interversity Press, 2015), 36.
Meyer,
F. B. Peter: Fisherman, Disciple, Apostle. 2013.
Nati, James. "Catholic
Bibilical Quarterly." Journal for the Study of Judaism 46,
no. 4-5 (2015), 582-582.
doi:10.1163/15700631-12340115.
Van
Oort, Johannes. "The Holy Spirit and the early Church: The experience of
the Spirit." HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 68,
no. 1 (2012). doi:10.4102/hts.v68i1.1154.
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