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There are Christian apologists who are well known (Norman L. Geisler, William Lane Craig, Frank Turek, Josh McDowell, R. C. Sproul, C.S. Lewis, etc.) because that is what they do, and there are millions of Christian apologists that do it as it happens.

Some who shy away from the idea of Christian apologetics make the following argument: “I, too, enjoy apologetics, but it is not clear to me that 1 Peter 3:15 actually speaks of what we call apologetics today. The hope that is in me is not because of the 25000 New Testament manuscript evidences or fragments or any other apologetics piece of technical information. So for me to defend that hope is to share my testimony and to present the Good News of Christ risen and my sins paid for!”

The Greek word that Peter used is apologia. See below, which means “to defend.” Please stay with me until the end.

THE ABOVE PERSON WROTE: “So for me to defend that hope is to share my testimony and to present the Good News of Christ risen and my sins paid for!”

RESPONSE: That is fine, and that is called offense apologetics. But what happens when you share you testimony and the person says any of the following to you?

‘I don’t believe in the Bible’
‘The Bible contradicts itself.’
‘Men wrote the Bible, not some God.’
‘Everyone has his own interpretation of the Bible.’
‘The Bible is not practical for our day.’
‘The Bible is a good book, but there is no such thing as absolute truth.’

What are you going to do, throw up your hands and walk away, saying to yourself, “Well, I did my part.” The moment you offer the person a rational response, you are now doing defensive apologetics. Apologetics can be categorized into two main types: offensive and defensive.

Offensive Apologetics is about making a positive case for Christianity. It involves presenting rational arguments for the truth of the Christian faith, such as arguments for the existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Offensive apologetics aims to show that Christianity is not only reasonable but also compelling and intellectually satisfying. This approach aligns with the biblical mandate to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

On the other hand, Defensive Apologetics is about responding to objections against Christianity. It involves clarifying misunderstandings, answering challenges, and refuting false claims about the Christian faith. Defensive apologetics seeks to remove intellectual obstacles that might hinder someone from considering the claims of Christianity. This approach reflects the instruction in 1 Peter 3:15 to “always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”

Both offensive and defensive apologetics are essential for a robust Christian witness. They work together to present a positive case for Christianity and respond to objections, thereby helping to create a favorable environment for the gospel to be heard and considered.

1 Peter 3:15 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

Apologetics: (ἀπολογία apologia) The term literally means “to defend” and is used in the biblical sense to refer to ones who defend the Christian faith, the Bible, and God in speech or written form. The Christian apologist attempts to prove that the Christian faith, the Bible, and God are reasonable, logical, necessary, and right.—Ac 25:16; 2 Cor. 7:11; Phil. 1:7, 16; 2 Tim. 4:16; 1 Pet. 3:15.

The verse 1 Peter 3:15 is often cited as a key biblical foundation for Christian apologetics. As we delve into the Greek text, we can uncover the richness of the original language and gain a deeper understanding of the verse’s meaning.

“Always Be Prepared” (ἀεὶ πρὸς ἀπολογίαν)

The Greek phrase for “always be prepared” is “ἀεὶ πρὸς ἀπολογίαν.” The word “ἀεὶ” (aei) translates to “always,” implying a constant state of readiness. This is a call for believers to be persistently ready to engage in apologetics, indicating that the task of defending the faith is not a sporadic duty, but a continuous one.

“Make a Defense” (ἀπολογίαν)

The term “ἀπολογίαν” (apologian) translates to “a defense.” This term was used in the ancient Greek legal system to refer to a formal defense presented in court. In the context of 1 Peter 3:15, it implies a reasoned argument or justification of one’s beliefs. It suggests that Christians should be able to articulate their faith logically and convincingly when called upon to do so.

“Asks for a Reason” (αἰτοῦντι λόγον)

The phrase “αἰτοῦντι λόγον” (aitounti logon) translates to “asks for a reason.” The term “λόγον” (logon) carries a broad range of meanings, including “word,” “reason,” or “argument.” Here, it implies a rational explanation or account. The call to provide a “reason” underscores the importance of intellectual engagement in the Christian faith.

“The Hope That is in You” (ἐλπίδα τὴν ἐν ὑμῖν)

The phrase “ἐλπίδα τὴν ἐν ὑμῖν” (elpida tēn en hymin) translates to “the hope that is in you.” The term “ἐλπίδα” (elpida) is often used in the New Testament to refer to the assured expectation that Christians have in the promises of God, particularly the return of Christ and the eternal life that He brings. This “hope” is not a mere wish or desire but a confident expectation rooted in the faithful character of God and the accomplished work of Christ.

1 Peter 3:15 calls Christians to be always ready to provide a rational defense of their faith, focusing on the hope they have in Christ. This defense should be carried out with gentleness and respect, embodying the character of Christ in all interactions.

THE PERSON RESPONDS TO MY RESPONSE

I have been enjoying your posts – and read several recently. And so I’m commenting on this in a spirit of seeking the truth.

I have a few things to comment on your response:

– we have adopted to word used (apologia) to have a specific meaning, which may or may not have been Peter’s intent.

– I am not saying we can’t and shouldn’t answer intellectual responses to intellectual arguments, but as Paul points out in Romans 10:17 – Faith is from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

I do get that removing intellectual obstacles may in some cases open the possibility of presenting the Gospel, but again, it is not clear to me that Peter is talking about intellectual argumentation, but maybe rather the presentation of the word of Christ.

– the reference to 2 Corinthians 10:5 needs some additional context. In verse 4, Paul says “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” Again, divine power is not typically described in the Bible as being based on man’s understanding, but rather on “thus sayeth the Lord”.

This leads me back to the same conclusion – Peter may NOT have been talking about intellectual pursuits but rather presenting the word of God with its divine power. And so I question the use of Peter 3:15 in support of intellectual arguments. I’m not saying “modern” apologetics doesn’t have a place as long as we consider the many admonitions in Proverbs and elsewhere.

RESPONSE TO THE RESPONSE

Thank you for your thoughtful response. Your points are well-taken, and they certainly add depth to the conversation about Christian apologetics and the interpretation of 1 Peter 3:15.

Firstly, you’re correct in saying that our understanding of “apologia” may or may not align with Peter’s original intent. Language, after all, is nuanced, and meanings can shift over time and across cultures. However, in the broader context of the New Testament writings, we often see this sense of reasoned explanation or defense in relation to the Christian faith.

Regarding Romans 10:17, you’ve raised an important point. Faith indeed comes from hearing the word of Christ, and the proclamation of the Gospel is central to our mission as believers. The intention isn’t to replace this proclamation with intellectual argumentation but to supplement it when necessary. As you’ve pointed out, removing intellectual obstacles can sometimes open the way for someone to truly hear and receive the Gospel.

In reference to 2 Corinthians 10:5, you’re correct that the context emphasizes relying on divine power, not human wisdom or strength. However, the divine power is used to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God”. This suggests that our spiritual warfare includes an intellectual component.

Your conclusion about presenting the word of God with divine power is an essential reminder for all of us. Intellectual pursuits, while valuable, should never take precedence over the simple and profound power of God’s word. The aim of apologetics, as interpreted from 1 Peter 3:15, should not be to win arguments, but to faithfully represent the hope we have in Christ and to gently and respectfully engage with those who have questions or objections.

Again, I appreciate your insightful comments. They serve as a crucial reminder that our ultimate trust should be in the power of God’s word and the work of the Holy Spirit, not in human wisdom or eloquence.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).