Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
Apologetics – More than just Words.
Apologetics is essentially a defense for the Christian faith. A defense through persuasion rather than arguments. A defense that has been extremely well prepared. A defense that understands what is on the line. (Someone’s eternal destination)
A good lawyer who stands and defends a client in the court of law does more than just present the facts. People hire lawyers because they are able to defend and persuade the judge and jury even when views differ. They are able to prove their case is more valid than someone else’s case. They can see what’s coming and prepare their replies in order to “win them over”.
Now the topic comes with mixed feelings. So let me start off by saying it’s extremely important to study the Bible. But if we want to win someone over for Christ, we need to learn how to use the Word of God.
Apologetics is about “always being prepared to give an answer to those who ask about your faith.” (1 Peter 3:15, Apologia in Greek literally means “answers”) It is not about being well informed. It is not about the ability to whip out and impress people with your well-seasoned vault of Bible verses. And certainly it is not about being able to give witty comebacks to tough questions, because it might come off as being overconfident/arrogant.
“Cogent arguments that are conveyed with an air of arrogance empty the power of apologetics”
Instead when presenting our faith, we need to start from the ground up. We should assume nothing when building a case for Christ; because fact is: the Christian faith is very confusing to those who are peering in from the outside. We talk about creation, as if everyone believed in intellectual design. We talk about redemption, as if everyone acknowledged sin. We talk about life after death, as if people believed in heaven and hell. And the list goes on.
We simply miss the point if we believe sharing our faith is to recite religious truths without understanding where non-Christians are coming from. We need to realize that persuasion, as proposed by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, appeals to three categories: Ethos, Logos and Pathos.
Ethos: Moral Credibility. People tend to believe the people whom they respect. One of the central problems of presenting the Christian faith is to convince others that you are someone worth listening to, in other words making yourself into someone who is worthy of respect and likable. So remember, your actions speak just as loud – if not louder – than your words. Be morally accountable to what the Bible teaches, honour God in your studies, and always know that people are watching. Live life as if everything is on the line, because it is.
Logos – Logic, the use of reasoning. Giving sound reasoning is the heart of bringing God’s truth to the world around you. Understand what the Bible is teaching and find good ways to explain it. If you know there will be a tough question, spend the time to over-prepare for it. Always be prepared, don’t just assume you can pass off a half-baked answer. People know.
And finally, Pathos refers to empathy, sympathy and our ability to understand the emotions of others. I left this for last because this often gets ignored. Our choice of language affects a listener’s emotional response and emotions can effectively be used to enhance their reception to the gospel. We need to empathize with where people are coming from. This isn’t easy, and it requires a lot of preparation and homework in trying to get into the shoes of others. Whether you are using stories, analogies – or just having the patience to say something at the right time will make a huge difference. Never just shove something down someone’s throat if they are not ready to hear it.
A good lawyer fighting a lopsided case can still win, but it will depend on how he delivers the facts.
Apologetics presented with its proper demeanour – a unique combination of intellectual integrity, commitment to moral duty and care – will provide rational justifications for the truths Christians believe in. Ultimate apologetics is rational, viable, and true.
“Make it an object of constant study, and of daily reflection and prayer, to learn how to deal with sinners so as to promote their conversion.”
– Charles G. Finney
Note: This article assumes that the readers ‘know” the truth. Just a reminder, do not skimp on the truth. Always present it in its entirety, but work on how you deliver it.