What Is Apologetics-I?
Categories: Bible Study LessonsI have maintained for years that all gospel preachers are, necessarily, apologists as well. Since I taught apologetics for several years to aspiring preachers, and since I have been trained in that particular discipline myself, I thought that it might be useful to start a thread on the subject of apologetics itself. Just what is apologetics? Is it necessary, and if so, why? Is there an apologetic method that is Biblical? Similarly, are there apologetics methods that are not Biblical? These questions, and others of importance, will be answered in the following study.
There are a number of words from the Greek New Testament, used by the Holy Spirit Himself, to indicate the work of the Christian in general, and the gospel preacher in particular. We will examine those words briefly, after first defining the meaning of apologetics. There are two words in the Greek New Testament, one a noun and the other a verb. They are actually different forms of the same word.
As a noun, apologia is used eight times, as follows: (1) to answer for one’s self (Acts 25:16); (2) a clearing of one’s self (2 Cor. 7:11); (3) answer (1 Cor. 9:3; 2 Tim. 4:16; 1 Pet. 3:15); and (4) defense (Acts 22:1; Phil. 1:7, 16). As a verb, apologeomai is used ten time in the New Testament, as follows: (1) speak for one’s self (Acts 26:24); (2) answer for one’s self (Acts 25:8; Acts 26:1-2); (3) answer (Luke 12:11; Luke 21:14; Acts 24:10); (4) excuse one’s self (2 Cor. 12:19); (5) excuse (Rom. 2:15); and (6) make defense (Acts 19:33). Most readers are somewhat familiar with The Apology of Socrates, in which the aged philosopher defends himself against the false charges that were brought up to him. Thus, we understand the term apologetics as referring to a defense of a particular point of view. In the case of Christian Apologetics, one defends the faith! Who would suggest that this is not the work of each and every Christian, particularly elders and preachers?
That this is the work of gospel preachers may be demonstrated by the following points. First, the preachers of whom we read in the New Testament were apologists (i.e., defenders of the faith)! This is a case, then, of approved apostolic example.
Second, one can examine various apostolic exhortations, knowing that whatever is enjoined upon all Christians is also required of preachers of the gospel, perhaps even more so!
Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 1:3, NASB; all quotations from this version, unless otherwise noted)
prove all things; hold fast that which is good; (1 Thes. 5:21, ASV)
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; (1 Peter 3:15 )
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. [14] Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Cor. 16:13-14)
Third, one can prove the case by examining the instructions given directly to preachers in the New Testament.
1. The preacher is to be primarily concerned with doctrine, in contrast to elders who are to be primarily concerned with the flock. This does not mean that elders are not to be concerned about doctrine (see Titus 1:-9), nor should it be taken to mean that preachers have no concern with the flock (1 Tim. 4:12-13). Please note the specific differences in the following two passages, the first of which is directed to preachers and the second to shepherds of the flock. Both urge taking heed to oneself. But, the preacher is to do so along with paying attention to the doctrine he teaches, whereas the elder is to do so while paying attention to the flock! This is the fundamental difference between their work insofar as the interests toward others are concerned!
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1 Tim. 4:16, NKJV)
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28 )
2. The preacher is to be a teacher of the brethren. This is in sharp contrast to the old position of Daniel Sommers and the more recent teachings of Leroy Garrett, Carl Ketcherside, and others. They argued that the preacher teaches the gospel to the lost only. An artifical distinction is forced between “gospel” and “doctrine.” Then, the conclusions is drawn: “only belief and obedience to the gospel can be made terms of unity and fellowship, and not all the deductions drawn from the apostles’ doctrine, however important these might be” (Leroy Garrett, Restoration Review 19:6 (June 1977): 118-19). This teaching has fueled the modern movement to unite with denominations regardless of their beliefs. But, the preacher’s work is not limited to heralding the good news to the lost. Rather, he is also given the responsibility of teaching the brethren.
(1) He is to charge certain ones “not to teach a different doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:13).
(2) He is to “put the brethren in mind (or, remembrance) of these things” (1 Tim. 4:6).
(3) He is to give attention to reading (see the RSV), to exhortation, and to teaching (1 Tim. 4:13).
(4) He is to be a trainer of teachers. What he has learned he is to commit “to faithful men who shall be able to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:2).
(5) He is to be “apt to teach, forbearing, in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves” (2 Tim. 2:24-25).
(6) When necessary, he is to “reprove . . . sharply, that they may be sound in the faith” (Titus 1:13).
3. The preacher is a herald of good tidings-a proclaimer of good news. Like Paul, he is a herald or preacher (1 Tim. 2:6f.). Even here, in spite of the fact that he is to “herald” the news to those who have never heard, he still is a teacher of the brethren. There were elders at Ephesus (1 Tim. 5:17; Acts 20:17f.), but Paul still preached there, indicating that part of the preacher’s work is to aid the elders in the dispensing of spiritual food to the flock. Moreover, he is to “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2) and to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5).
4. The preacher is to be an example. He is to be an example to the believers (1 Tim. 4:12). To accomplish this, he must “flee, follow, and fight” (1 Tim. 6:11-12). He must show himself a pattern, “an example of good works” (Titus 2:7). He must be “sober in all things” and willing to suffer hardship (2 Tim. 4:5; 1:8; 2:3-4; 3:12).
5. The preacher is to be a student. He must give diligence to be a God-approved workman, handling the word with accuracy and precision (2 Tim. 2:15). The word spoudazo is much broader than our English word “study” (as in the KJV). It means to “give diligence” or, more appropriately, to give one’s life over to a thing. It is used often in other contexts (see Gal. 2:10; Eph. 4:3; 1 Thess. 2:17; Titus 3:12; Heb. 4:11; 2 Pet. 1:10, 15; 2 Pet. 3:14). It is also used similarly in the same context (2 Tim. 4:9, 21). The preacher should imitate the example of Timothy (2 Tim. 3:14-17) and Paul, who was a student right to the end of his life. What a motivation for the preacher to get back to the “books and the parchments” (2 Tim. 4:13).
So, how would we define the work of apologetics? I will share two definitions with you, and then give my own:
Quote:
It is that enterprise (involving all relevant elements from philosophy and the Bible) which both (1) shows what the Christian religion is, and (2) shows that it is the one true religion of God and sustains it against all attacks both philosophical and religious.
Thomas B. Warren
Quote:
Accordingly in Christian Apologetics we must concern ourselves primarily with the thought and life of our own age, must take up the questions that are forced on Christian faith by the surroundings, and must exercise our practical wisdom in determining the commendation of the Christian gospel, the contemporary conditions make most urgent. There must be selection, as it is clearly impossible that all the matters relating to Christian creed or conduct should be fully discussed. Nevertheless it is desirable that the Christian Apologist should possess for himself at least some general view of the relations of the different branches of human knowledge to one another, and of the place of Christian theology in the system of human thought.
A.E. Garvie, A Handbooks of Christian Apologetics (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1929), pp. 12-13.
Christian apologetics is the positive proclamation of the gospel in its world-wide scope and a negative defense of that message whenever, wherever, and by whomever it is challenged.
–Dick Sztanyo