10 Things You Should Know About Apologetics

By Mitch Stokes

1. Apologetics is as much for believers as it is for unbelievers.

Let’s define apologetics as the use of arguments to remove unbelief. Unbelief often comes from ur own hearts and minds, despite the fact that we’re Christians.

2. Apologetics can be used preemptively.

Teaching apologetics to young believers can be a preemptive strike on unbelief. This won’t revent all doubting, but it can certainly mitigate it. Points (1) and (2) imply that apologetics is for absolutely everyone.

3. There is a difference between knowing that Christianity is true and showing that it’s true.

The arguments we use on ourselves sometimes differ from the arguments we use to try to show someone else that Christianity is true.

4. No one has all the answers.

Be realistic and avoid the temptation to think that in order to address your neighbor’s skepticism you must first have all the answers. This isn’t an excuse to avoid the hard work of study, but rather an encouragement to be humble, relaxed and gentle.

5. There are no airtight arguments.

There are no proofs for Christianity in the strong sense of "proof."

6. Don’t mistake the strength of your loyalty to Christ for the strength of your argument.

Properly acknowledging the limitations of an argument doesn’t imply that you’re somehow hedging on your profession of faith. Similarly, acknowledging that there are good arguments for

atheism or agnosticism doesn’t mean that you’re being disloyal.

7. The strength of arguments is person-relative.

When we evaluate arguments, all of us weigh them against our own unique set of background beliefs, experiences, temperaments, proclivities, and emotions.

8. Apologetic method is person-relative.

Don’t get too caught up in “schools” of apologetic method. It is helpful to become familiar with them, and even fine to have a favorite, but the best “method” for the job will depend on many

factors.

9. Apologetics is more a matter of planting than a matter of harvesting.

Changing someone’s mind isn’t the only goal of apologetics. That’s unlikely to happen in the moment. Any apologetic encounter should be considered as planting a seed that will come to fruition later.

10. Apologetics is ultimately about people.

Apologetics is a means of helping people to live for Jesus. Love the people you come into contact with. Ask them questions and genuinely listen to their answers. Be gentle and humble like Jesus.

Taken from 10 Things You Should Know about Apologetics by Mitch Stokes, Copyright © June 13, 2016. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org.