Why Should Christians Study Apologetics?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

Why this book, why now — the 1 Peter 3:15 charge

• The frame: in this episode, the new book, anchor points (as the preview styles the title), is discussed, and the importance of apostolic apologetics is explained. The host's question: you recently published a new book, called anchor points — essays in Apostolic apologetics (as he gives the subtitle's sense) — and that is available at pentecostalpublishing.com, by the way, for all the folks who'd like to check that out. And I do have a copy here. So at least all the folks who are watching this on YouTube can get a picture, of what this book looks like. And I want to say: I actually have picked it up, and started reading it. So it's a great book, so far. You've written books on quite a few subjects. Most of them, what we believe (the question instances the subjects — the teaching about God, the new birth, and many topics like that). Why this book, though? Why, at this time? Why'd you decide to write on the topic of apologetics? The answer: this book takes a different approach, than the others. Because I'm writing, first of all, for an audience that may not believe the Bible, may not believe in God. And I'm trying to give a reasonable explanation, why — it may not completely convince them — but at least explain, that our world view is quite reasonable. Has a lot to support it. And then, second of all — more realistically — I'm writing to our own people. But helping them describe the Faith, in terms that an unbeliever, or someone who's questioning, could understand. In fact, it's based on First Peter (the chapter and verse as he gives it), which says: that we should be able to give an answer. Or, the new King James says, a defense. The Greek word is actually from the word we get apologetics (as he traces the word). And so, when I say apologetics: you might think that means apologizing. But no: from the Greek, what it means is, defending, or answering. And so the passage says (as he gives it again): every one of us should be able to give an answer, or a defense, for a reason of the hope, that we have. So all of us should be equipped, to explain to unbelievers, or secular people, why we believe what we believe. And why that is a good thing. Why that gives us hope. And so that's why I wrote the book: is to address the unbeliever directly, of why they ought to consider the claims of Christianity — and specifically the apostolic faith. And to our own Apostolic Believers: how can you talk to your secular friend, a co-worker, or a fellow student, and answer objections? And of course, along with that: especially young people — young adults, teenagers, college students — they're going to be bombarded, with questions from the world, in favor of atheism, or agnosticism, or relativism, post-modern thinking. And so I want to be able to give them good, solid answers. Obviously, at the end of the day, you must have faith. Nothing can replace Faith. But I believe it doesn't have to be a blind faith. It can be a reasonable faith.

Scriptures: 1 Peter 3:15

The book's shape — seven anchor points, then the hard questions

• And so what I do, in the book: the first part of the book discusses seven anchor points. And from there — I use Hebrews (the chapter as he gives it) — that we need an anchor of the soul. And I describe seven essential beliefs, and experiences that match those beliefs, that will be anchors for us, that will establish our faith. So that when we do have questions, or doubts, or when people ask us things that we don't have answers for: we can go back to these core doctrines, and core experiences, and say: well, I know — I may not know everything — but what I do know is secure, because of these Essentials. And so I write the first — those first seven chapters — to try to explain what we believe: as far as belief in God. Why we believe the Bible is the word of God. Why we believe Jesus is the revelation of God. The New Birth. The life of Holiness. Life in the spirit. The life to come — eternal life. Why it's reasonable, to believe those things. And certainly, I base it on the Bible. But I also bring in some points of science, or sociology, or psychology, that match, or reinforce, what the Bible has already taught us. The second half of the book goes more into detail, of key questions, that cause people not to believe in Christianity, or to walk away from Christianity. And I start with the foundation, of: how do we know what we know? How can we know what's true? Is it just our own opinion? Or is there some objective basis, that we can distinguish, between right and wrong? Even if we're not completely convinced there is a God, or if the Bible is true: is there some guidance? So I try to start there. And then, once people are willing to believe the Bible, I discuss principles, for interpreting the Bible. And then we talk about: why we should believe in God. And what are some of the problems of atheism. So atheists like to talk to us, about: well, why is there suffering? Why this? Why that? What about Evolution? Well, I turn it back on them, to say: well, if you're an atheist, you have no explanation for suffering. If you're an atheist, you have no explanation, for why we think morally — good and evil, good and bad. Without God, there's no justice. And if we, as Christians, have to explain: why is there suffering — and so I have a chapter on that. But the atheist has to explain: why is there Joy? Why should — if we're all just random evolved animals — why should there be a sense of beauty? Or a sense of Truth? Or a sense of joy? And I do talk about creation, versus Evolution. And in those topics: I'm not just trying to give a hundred percent — this is the way it has to be. I'm trying to show, that whatever secularist, or atheist, or agnostics — whatever their questions are — they can be answered. Whatever their objections to the Bible, we have good explanations. And so, I also talk about human sexuality, and some of the issues of transgenderism, homosexuality. Because today, the biggest reason why young adults walk away from any form of religion, is because they buy into the culture of sexual promiscuity, and they don't think it's compatible. So I show: of course, I give a scriptural basis. But my main point is to show, that if you — all the studies in — as I already mentioned: sociology, psychology, biology — actually support the biblical position. It's reasonable. It's best. Humans are best suited, for the guidance that the Bible gives us. And then, perhaps one of the unique features of this book: after every chapter, I give a list of resources, for further study. Books. And I've read every single one of them. Most of them are not Apostolic — so I wouldn't necessarily agree with everything in them. But for the purposes that we have, you know, the points I'm trying to make: I'm pointing towards secular resources, or other Christian resources. In some cases, very scholarly resources, that will support the various points that I give. So I give a brief overview — or a relatively brief answer. But if someone wants a whole book, delving into a particular point, then I usually give them three or four choices.

Scriptures: Hebrews 6

The dedication — the students who asked the questions

• The host interjects: and that was one I noticed, as I was reading through the book. And I plan on picking up a few of those titles, in the future. I noticed also, in the introduction, that you dedicated the book to the college and the Graduate School of Theology (carried in the letters as 'Ocean College ocean Graduate School of Theology' — the schools' names as the caption layer carries them). Is that the audience that you had in mind? Maybe younger students? The answer: well, of course, it's for anyone, that has these questions. Or is wanting to answer these questions, to their secular friends and family. But I particularly focused on college students. Because — and of course, I was the founding president of the Graduate School of Theology, and the college (the letters give them as 'ocean Graduate School of Theology and aversion college') — so I combined total of 18 years, as president. And I would say, almost all these questions came from students. So, not exclusively from students. But I begin to realize: our young adults, our teenagers and our young adults, are at The Cutting Edge, of all these questions — from their peers, from their high schools and colleges. And so I really hope it's good for all teenagers, and all young adults. And we have a number of Bible colleges, which are doing a great job. And so I certainly value all of our upci endorsed Bible colleges. So, in fact, I even thought about: maybe I should just say, to all. But I wanted to recognize the college, and the Graduate School of Theology (as the institutions stand in the letters), because they are our only upci owned and operated schools. And the graduate school even today (as he styles it) is the only graduate school, or seminary, that we have. And because — I realize the need for this book — because I've guest lectured, over the years, in various classes. And even today, even this very day, I taught over at the college (carried as 'urson college' at this point). So I wanted to give credit: because it's these students, in this institution, that made me realize foremost, the need for this book.

Brief here, thorough in the book

• The host interjects: I think we've gotten a lot of feedback, from that demographic, though — even about this podcast — just how much they appreciate it. They're looking for answers, to questions. So those are certainly — many of those — are provided in your new book, anchor points. But also, we try to provide those here, on this podcast. So I definitely think it's one that — like you said — everyone should pick up. But I think it's going to be especially valuable, to students. The answer: and, you know, the younger demographic especially likes the podcast. And so a lot of the questions we are answering, in brief form. But I can only give 10 minutes, or 15 minutes. I can maybe refer to a couple sources. But always — you see the comments, both pro and con: well, what about this? Well, what about that? Well, I do have an answer for that. But in 10 minutes, I can't give you all the answers, to all your questions, on the subject. But in the book, I do give a more thorough answer, on each point. And I give resources, that are pretty exhaustive. If you want to read the five books that I recommend, or the 10 books that I recommend: you'll definitely get your answer ('I'm I'm you'll definitely get your answer', as the closing sentence's letters stand).

Scripture index: 1 Peter 3:15; Hebrews 6.