William Lane Craig talks about “Who Needs Apologetics”, emphasizing 3 goals where apologetics is helpful: (1) Shape culture, (2) Strengthen believers, and (3) Evangelize unbelievers. Read the summary and review:
Christian apologetics is a branch of Christian theology that seeks to give rational approval to the affirmations of Christianity and, although not essential, can be of great use and great benefits.
- What is apologetics for? The value of apologetics goes far beyond the daily evangelization of people.
- I want to highlight three purposes for which apologetics will be useful.
Shaping culture
Apologetics is useful and I dare say that even indispensable for the gospel to be heard. We usually live in a post-Christian Western culture whose secularized environment makes it difficult even to talk about the gospel. Secular culture believes that believing in God is equal to being up to believing in elves, having a false idea that those who follow reason will invariably become atheist or agnostic. And cultural considerations are important because the gospel is never heard in isolation; but it is always understood in relation to the cultural context in which the person lives. Thus, in a culture where Christianity is at least a viable option, it is easier to bear witness to the gospel. This is where apologetics can be useful.
Strengthens believers
Emotions take us to a certain point in the Christian life, but then we need something more substantial; and apologetics allows to have something of this something more substantial. Even apologetics can help (even if it can’t completely prevent) people from going astray. Telling a personal experience, a man came to see me and thanked me because in one of my discussions he saw the way in which God prevented him from straying.
We must be aware of the need for apologetics in our families, our young people are intensely attacked by naturalistic and relativistic worldview and if their parents are not intellectually engaged and have good arguments for Christian theism, we will be in imminent danger of losing our youth. It is not enough to read biblical stories to our children; they need doctrine and apologetics.
Evangelizing the Unbelievers
Apologetics is a great incentive for evangelization, because nothing inspires more confidence than knowing that we have good reason to believe in what we believe and good answers to the questions of the unbelievers. The Apostles themselves, when they preached to the Jews, appealed to the duration. of Jesus’ prophecy, miracles, and resurrection; However, in front of a pagan audience, they used the works of creation as proof of the Creator, and then eyewitnesses, stating that God revealed Himself through Christ and resurrected him.
These are three reasons I present because apologetics are beneficial and therefore must be part of our churches, our families, and our lives.