At West Florida Theological Seminary, we integrate apologetics into every degree. We feel, it is in large part, the missing ingredient in the church today. Because of this, Christians have ceased to be the salt and light of the earth. We are ill-prepared to defend and articulate our Christian Faith amongst other competing worldviews. We have allowed the secular worldview to overtake and hold hostage all that God has declared to be sacred.  

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Apologetics is knowing what and why you believe something to be true while possessing the ability to defend it. Christian apologetics is then defending the validity of the Christian faith. It is defending the truth of God and the teachings of His Word. It is giving an intellectual and coherent defense for the truth claims of Christianity. Quite simply, apologetics is being able to answer someone when they ask, “why do you believe that?” or “how did you come to that conclusion?”

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The aim of Christian apologetics training in general is to educate and train the Christian to know what they believe, why they believe it, and be adequately equipped to defend it. It is a well-developed fact that, “when people learn what they believe and why, they become bold in their witness and attractive in the way they engage others in debate or dialogue"(J.P. Moreland, Love Your God with All Your Mind). Although Christian apologetics may be a new concept for some, it is not new to Christianity. It is a biblical concept that permeates the entirety of Scripture and consequentially, it is not optional for the Christian. It is a biblical command. Apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia which generally means a defense, reason, or an answer. Christian apologetics is then giving an answer, reason, or a defense for what the Bible claims to be true. The most dominant verse is 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” The word “answer” is the Greek word apologia, which means a defense.

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The Biblical Concept of Apologetics

 

• It is giving a reason for our hope: 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

 

• It is defending the gospel: Philippians 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

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• It is answering every question: Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

 

• It is contending for the faith: Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

 

• It is reasoning (disputing) from the scriptures: Acts 17:17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

 

• It is taking every thought captive to Christ: 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 

• It is refuting those who oppose sound doctrine: Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

 

• It is instructing them who oppose sound doctrine: 2 Timothy 2:24-25 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

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Some of our Apologetic textbooks and resources:

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Free pdf version of Dr. Turner's book 

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