The Names Of God Part 30

Apologetics 101

Many people have asked me why Apologetics is necessary. First, let me give you a brief definition of what an Apologist is. An Apologist is one who is a de- fender of their faith. Or one who defends.

Many people today seem to think that we should not be criticle of other religions.

However, that is not what the Bible tells us we should do when we meet people of other faiths. In the Book of Jude we are commanded to “ernestly contend for the faith.”

In 1 Peter 3:15 the scriptures tell us to always be prepared to give an answer with gentleness and respect for those who ask us about the hope within us. The New Testement is filled with Apologetics. Perhaps the greatest of the Bible Apologist was Paul. He often rebuked those he came into contact with about their theology. Paul, while waiting for Timothy and Silas in Athens, noticed that the city was full of idols and he was greatly distressed. In Acts 17:17 we find that Paul debated with Jews and God fearing Greeks in the Synagogue’s as well as in the market place day by day with those who happend to be there. In verse 18 we are told that a group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him.

Paul, was then taken to a council on Mars Hill. The Council (called the Areopagus) was composed of men who loved to listen to the newest ideas, and it was also upto them to decide who was teaching the truth. Paul was teaching the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some of the Council sneered at this, but others wanted to hear more about Jesus. When Paul had left the Council a few of the Areopagus had become followers of Jesus Christ. Among them was a man named Dionysius, a member of the Council who had listend to Paul teaching the death and ressurection of Christ, and also a number of others became followers. Jesus Christ also rebuked and debated the Pharisees and Sadducees on the law and doctrine.

So we can see the Bible illustrates the need for Apologetics. Just like in the days of Paul, Christianity is still under attack from other religious groups.

Some of the areas of Christianity being attacked are:

The doctrines of God, the Bible, morals, the historicity of Jesus, the family, marriage, values, and hetero-sexuality.

Some of the groups on the attack are: Atheist, Agnostics, Skeptics of the Bible, Cults, Pagans, Satanist, Witches, Neo-Paganist, Marxist, Socialist, Secular Humanist, Evolutionist, the New Age Movement, and the list goes on…

The way that Christian Apologist counter-act these attacks is to:

1. Define doctrine
2. Document it from scripture and church history.
3. Defend it by refuting all opposing views and answering those who attack it.

There are two ways of doing Apologetics:

1. Theoretical Apologetics- Developing a Christian world and life view of everything in life (the 3 D’s)
2. Applied Apologetics- Refuting modern systems of unbelief. (the 3 D’s)

If you have any questions about Apologetics, the cults, the New Age Movement, etc… write to: Counter Cult Consultants Executive Director: Jim L. Toungate Jr. 1704 ST. Williams St. Round Rock, Tx 78681 Copyright 1993

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