Is Apologetics needed in the church?

[evangelist6589]

Don't know if I have talked about this before but if not here is a good topic. I was reading a Reformed author whom was suggesting apologetics was not needed in the church. However Reformed cannot agree on this one as plenty disagree with that assertion. The reformed author said that all that is needed is the bold preaching of the truth and he trusted God to bring forth the elect. But the writing of books and books on evidences to persuade skeptics is not right nor trusting in the sufficiency of the scripture and the power of God to salvation according to this author. Perhaps he has a case or perhaps not. 1 Pet 3:15 says to always be ready to give an answer for the faith and hope that you have (NIV) and many have used this verse as an apologetics formula which may be taken the verse out of context. Looking at the life and ministry of Jesus He sure did not rely on apologetics in his ministry, however the Apostle Paul appears to have used some of it when speaking with the Greek Philosophers among others. So I am divided and not sure on this one.

I was at the bookstore Christmas shopping and was gonna buy a book called Five Views on Apologetics but I did not as I have plenty of books to read. But the topic created in me some interest. Is Apologetics entirely necessary today or is it not? John MacArthur (another reformed author) rarely if ever makes any reference to it, and may agree with the other author whom I quoted earlier. Or perhaps both are wrong and Apologetics is necessary. If I said it was not I would be a hypocrite as I myself pass out More than a Carp-tender tracts, and other apologetics based materials written by Arminian/evidentialist authors. So I think apologetics is necessary sometimes.

 

[SolaSaint]

I think apologetics is extremely important today. John MacArthur I feel would strongly agree, he uses apologetics often in his teaching. I look at apologetics from within the church more than as a evangelistic tool. I feel we need to defend from within of all the false teachings we see in our churches today. I'm not sold on arguing a person into Heaven, but apologetics can remove stumblimg blocks an unsaved person may be dealing with. I'll be interested to see what others here say.

Merry Christmas all

 

[Jacob_Elliott]

I think apologetics is extremely important today. John MacArthur I feel would strongly agree, he uses apologetics often in his teaching. I look at apologetics from within the church more than as a evangelistic tool. I feel we need to defend from within of all the false teachings we see in our churches today. I'm not sold on arguing a person into Heaven, but apologetics can remove stumblimg blocks an unsaved person may be dealing with. I'll be interested to see what others here say.

Merry Christmas all

I agree with this, and just to reaffirm I wouldn't waste time with someone that is just trying to pick a fight, but if someone has concerns or needs clarification why not?

 

[quantumfaith]

Don't know if I have talked about this before but if not here is a good topic. I was reading a Reformed author whom was suggesting apologetics was not needed in the church. However Reformed cannot agree on this one as plenty disagree with that assertion. The reformed author said that all that is needed is the bold preaching of the truth and he trusted God to bring forth the elect. But the writing of books and books on evidences to persuade skeptics is not right nor trusting in the sufficiency of the scripture and the power of God to salvation according to this author. Perhaps he has a case or perhaps not. 1 Pet 3:15 says to always be ready to give an answer for the faith and hope that you have (NIV) and many have used this verse as an apologetics formula which may be taken the verse out of context. Looking at the life and ministry of Jesus He sure did not rely on apologetics in his ministry, however the Apostle Paul appears to have used some of it when speaking with the Greek Philosophers among others. So I am divided and not sure on this one.

I was at the bookstore Christmas shopping and was gonna buy a book called Five Views on Apologetics but I did not as I have plenty of books to read. But the topic created in me some interest. Is Apologetics entirely necessary today or is it not? John MacArthur (another reformed author) rarely if ever makes any reference to it, and may agree with the other author whom I quoted earlier. Or perhaps both are wrong and Apologetics is necessary. If I said it was not I would be a hypocrite as I myself pass out More than a Carp-tender tracts, and other apologetics based materials written by Arminian/evidentialist authors. So I think apologetics is necessary sometimes.

Will you please define for me what "Carp-Tender" means?

 

[evangelist6589]

I think apologetics is extremely important today. John MacArthur I feel would strongly agree, he uses apologetics often in his teaching. I look at apologetics from within the church more than as a evangelistic tool. I feel we need to defend from within of all the false teachings we see in our churches today. I'm not sold on arguing a person into Heaven, but apologetics can remove stumblimg blocks an unsaved person may be dealing with. I'll be interested to see what others here say.

Merry Christmas all

Yes Answers in Genesis is a great resource ministry. I think you are right in that Apologetics is not necessarily an evangelism tool, but more of way to grow the believer. I myself love the study and have many books on it. I once had a long chat with an atheist author whom had many questions. After the chat I mailed him a apologetics book that may have led to his conversion I do not know.


Thanks for your comments.

 

[evangelist6589]

I agree with this, and just to reaffirm I wouldn't waste time with someone that is just trying to pick a fight, but if someone has concerns or needs clarification why not?

I agree. I have often wasted time trying to use apologetics on people whom are not interested in the gospel and it was a waste of time. But for people whom had questions I found it useful. Once I met a atheist author when I was out witnessing and w chatted for about an hour and he had many questions. After the chat I mailed him a Apologetics book which maybe led to his salvation? I do not know.

 

[evangelist6589]

Will you please define for me what "Carp-Tender" means?

It was a spelling error. The book is called More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell. I often use the tracts when I witness.

 

[padredurand]

When Jesus did battle with the devil He never once quoted Greek philosophers. He never once quoted any of the great teachers in the Temple. Without commentary He proclaimed His Father's words and found them wholly sufficient for the battle.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.​

Psalms 119:98-100 KJV

98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.​

2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:​

 

[JonC]

Don't know if I have talked about this before but if not here is a good topic. I was reading a Reformed author whom was suggesting apologetics was not needed in the church. However Reformed cannot agree on this one as plenty disagree with that assertion. The reformed author said that all that is needed is the bold preaching of the truth and he trusted God to bring forth the elect. But the writing of books and books on evidences to persuade skeptics is not right nor trusting in the sufficiency of the scripture and the power of God to salvation according to this author. Perhaps he has a case or perhaps not. 1 Pet 3:15 says to always be ready to give an answer for the faith and hope that you have (NIV) and many have used this verse as an apologetics formula which may be taken the verse out of context. Looking at the life and ministry of Jesus He sure did not rely on apologetics in his ministry, however the Apostle Paul appears to have used some of it when speaking with the Greek Philosophers among others. So I am divided and not sure on this one.

I was at the bookstore Christmas shopping and was gonna buy a book called Five Views on Apologetics but I did not as I have plenty of books to read. But the topic created in me some interest. Is Apologetics entirely necessary today or is it not? John MacArthur (another reformed author) rarely if ever makes any reference to it, and may agree with the other author whom I quoted earlier. Or perhaps both are wrong and Apologetics is necessary. If I said it was not I would be a hypocrite as I myself pass out More than a Carp-tender tracts, and other apologetics based materials written by Arminian/evidentialist authors. So I think apologetics is necessary sometimes.

I think so as apologetics confronts the modern mindset that is being taught in our schools to our young church members. It also helps to address modern issues that the traditional evangelistic approach misses. I appreciate MacArthur as a pastor and teacher (not so much as a as a theologian).

 

[quantumfaith]

Other students I met with at Princeton were enrolled in a class taught by the New Testament critic Elaine Pagels which they nicknamed the “Faithbusters Class” because of its destructive effect on the faith of many Christian students. They had no way of knowing how far out of mainstream scholarship Prof. Pagels’ views on the Gnostic gospels are. It was a privilege to share with them grounds for the credibility of the New Testament witness to Jesus.

Their experience is not unusual. In high school and college Christian teenagers are intellectually assaulted with every manner of non-Christian worldview coupled with an overwhelming relativism. If parents are not intellectually engaged with their faith and do not have sound arguments for Christian theism and good answers to their children’s questions, then we are in real danger of losing our youth. It’s no longer enough to teach our children simply Bible stories; they need doctrine and apologetics. It’s hard to understand how people today can risk parenthood without having studied apologetics.

Unfortunately, our churches have also largely dropped the ball in this area. It’s insufficient for youth groups and Sunday school classes to focus on entertainment and simpering devotional thoughts. We’ve got to train our kids for war. We dare not send them out to public high school and university armed with rubber swords and plastic armor. The time for playing games is past. – William Lane Craig

 

[preacher4truth]

Don't know if I have talked about this before but if not here is a good topic. I was reading a Reformed author whom was suggesting apologetics was not needed in the church.

I'd look at Php. 1:16:

'The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense (apologia) of the gospel'.

Jude 3 also seems suggestive of defense of truth (apologia).

'Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.'

When preaching is going on there is generally some apologetics going on within the message. I believe it is absolutely necessary in the church.

 

[Iconoclast]

I'd look at Php. 1:16:

'The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense (apologia) of the gospel'.

Jude 3 also seems suggestive of defense of truth (apologia).

'Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.'

When preaching is going on there is generally some apologetics going on within the message. I believe it is absolutely necessary in the church.

:thumbs::applause::thumbs:

 

[evenifigoalone]

I find that apologetics helps to strengthen my faith.