Is Apologetics Only Useful For Arguing?

Christian apologetics is usually associated with combative or confrontational videos. Apologetics is used as a tool to make people look foolish. To make things worse, social media popularizes the most reactive and extreme clips because those are the videos which usually receive the most views, likes and shares. While these clips are entertaining to watch, they skew the average person’s perception of what apologetics is truly capable of. The true and historical use of apologetics, though, is to display the beauty and truth of the gospel to both Christians and non-Christians.

 

It is extremely easy to win an argument while losing a soul. In other words, a Christian might use apologetics to defend the faith but if they yell or insult the other person then they will walk away even more resistant to the gospel. In a similar way, this is why Jesus, when sending out the disciples during his ministry, told them to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matt. 10:13b) This does not mean that Christians should refrain from telling the truth. Rather, they should carefully and intentionally wield their knowledge. So, apologetics should be used to win over souls for the gospel and not just arguments.

 

Apologetics is also designed to be a tool for evangelism. Evangelism is sharing about the good news of Jesus Christ. Meanwhile apologetics is the defense of Christianity. While they are separate disciplines, the two are beautifully and deeply connected. For example, someone may deny Christianity because they think there is too much evil in the world. In this scenario, apologetics can help to answer the question of evil and thus make them more receptive to the gospel itself. Apologetics is a way to till the soil of somebody’s heart before planting the good news of the gospel.

 

A second core usage of apologetics is to edify the faith of Christians. Apologetics is a beautiful way for a Christian to grow in their appreciation for God. Whether it is the incredible fine-tuning of the universe or the thousands of manuscripts that prove the reliability of Scripture, apologetics is an amazing way to appreciate how God has reached down from heaven and left his fingerprint all throughout creation. Even more than growing in an appreciation for God, apologetics helps Christian’s wrestle through some of their own doubts and difficult questions. These doubts, if left unaddressed, fester in the hearts and minds of believers and damages their faith. Apologetics, though, can beautifully and winsomely answer these doubts with genuine responses.

 

So, apologetics is much more than winning an argument. It is about leading souls to the truth. This should always be done with grace, love and humility. Even more, apologetics is not just for reasoning with an unbeliever. It is also for the benefit and growth of the Christian. Apologetics is a unique way for humans to grow in their appreciation and love for both the creation and the creator.