Why Apologetics? (Part 3)

Now to address the second answer to our question.

Question: Why and how is the study of apologetics beneficial to the church?

2) Second, it strengthens, confirms, and emboldens Christians in their faith.

When Christians follow the Biblical command to defend their faith (see 1 Pet. 3:15) several things happen. First, their faith is confirmed. Christians for any length of time know that doubt can creep in and cause them to second guess what they believe regarding Christ and the Bible. The careful study of apologetics encourages the believer to know that what they’ve given their lives over to is not a myth or something merely made up by someone or some group. It is grounded in real history, and is the only worldview that doesn’t strip human existence of objective meaning.

Second, it strengthens our faith. When we see that only Christianity provides a true understanding of the world we come to trust our Creator and Lord with renewed vigor. Once we see that the “big picture” gives life purpose we learn to firmly lean on God during those times when we can’t make sense out of a given situation, hardship, or intellectual crisis.

Finally, the study of apologetics emboldens us for engagement with non-Christians. Here i’m not simply referring to apologetic debate, but also for personal evangelism and other venues of Christian/non-Christian dialogue. If the message of creation-fall-redemption in Christ is true, and the goal of apologetics is to demonstrate the truth of the Christian worldview, then pouring time into knowing how to handle objections, unbelieving philosophies, and various other unchristian ways of thinking is a vital means that the Holy Spirit may use in communicating the gospel in a sin-sick world.