Apologetics: (a-pol-o-get-ics) noun; the branch of theology concerned with the defense or proof of Christianity.
If you run a search on Google for “Christian Apologetics,” you will find 714,000 results! There is definitely an interest in the world around us to know why. What is the number one question that a two-year-old asks?—“Why?” From the time we are old enough to think and act on our own, we want to know why things work, why things happen, and why we believe what we do.
According to the dictionary, apologetics deals with defending or proving Christianity. While this is a valid definition, I would describe apologetics just a little differently; or better yet, a lot differently! It is not our job to “prove” Christianity. Jesus Christ already did that by dying on a cross and coming back to life three days later. God has given us multiple examples of “proof” that He is God and there is no other. God did not create us to “defend” Him or what He has said. He has called us to share His love. So, according to that light, how would we define apologetics? Apologetics is standing firm in what you believe as a Christ-follower, standing un-conformed in the midst of culture, and spreading the love of Jesus Christ.
Jesus tells us in His Word to stand firm to what He teaches and to be able to give an answer to anyone that asks about His Name. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in our hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope hat you have.” God calls us to share His story. We are Jesus’ hands and feet in this world. In order to share a story with someone, you must know all of the facts, right? You can’t just walk up to someone and share a pack of uncertainties or blatant lies. That does no one any good. In order to proficiently and successfully share Jesus’ story, you must stand firm in the facts of what it truly means to be a Christ-follower.
