One of the reasons some Christians aren’t interested in learning about apologetics is their belief that using apologetics means you have to argue with people. They object to the idea of using apologetics as part of evangelism, saying, “You can’t argue someone into the Kingdom.” This is understandable, given the fact that many explanations for believing in God and the truth of Christianity are presented as ‘arguments’—The Moral Argument, the Cosmological Argument, the Argument from Contingency, and so on. When people hear these terms, they may associate the word ‘argument’ with an emotional confrontation characterized by shouting and name-calling—what might result from an encounter between cantankerous neighbors, or family members with explosive tempers. This is not the kind of argument referred to in the context of Christian apologetics, and it's certainly not what is meant by 'contending for the faith'!
The word ‘argument’ is a technical term used in logic to define a truth claim (a statement of fact or opinion) that is supported by evidence. To illustrate, I will present one argument for the existence of God (the Kalam Cosmological Argument) as an example:
1. Everything that begins to exist has a cause;
2. The universe began to exist;
3. Therefore, the universe had a cause.
This argument is a line of reasoning used to support the claim that the universe had a creator. Of course, this information alone won’t convince most people that Christianity is true. It is just one example of the kind of logical reasoning that can be used to help remove intellectual obstacles that prevent people from believing in God. It’s a foundation for further conversation that can help to “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:5), and to demonstrate that it’s reasonable to believe Christianity is true—that trusting Christ is not just a matter of blind faith or wishful thinking.
Even after the definition of ‘argument’ has been clarified, some will still object and say these types of logical arguments—and apologetics in general—don’t work. History says otherwise. Besides the fact that the Bible gives examples of apologetics being used by Jesus and His disciples, there are many well-known Christians who came to faith as a result of the evidence for the truth of Christianity and the realization that Christianity was more reasonable than their former beliefs. The testimonies of C.S. Lewis, Lee Strobel, J. Warner Wallace, Nancy Pearcey, Josh McDowell, Alister McGrath, and many others attest to the fact that, in one sense, people actually can (with the work of the Holy Spirit) be ‘argued into the Kingdom.’
It is important to emphasize the important difference between using arguments and being argumentative. Christians are ambassadors of Christ, and should exemplify His character. We are instructed to always be ready to defend our faith, but with gentleness and respect (1 Pet. 3:15). While there have been unfortunate situations where a good (logical) argument has turned into a bad (emotional shouting match) argument, we should remember not to ‘throw the baby out with the bath water’ and conclude that using logic and reasoning is wrong or ineffective. God created us as rational beings. He gave us minds with the ability to reason. His own words beckon us to “Come, let us reason together...” (Isa. 1:18).
Recommended resources:
The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel
The Case for Christ (DVD)
Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell
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