Apologetics

Definition and Meaning

Apologetics is the discipline that rationally explains and defends the content of the Christian faith in the face of outside criticism or doubt. The name comes from the Greek word apologia, which referred to the "defense" or "explanation" a defendant made in a court of law. It chiefly addresses such topics as the existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the problem of evil and suffering. In seminaries it is usually taught as a branch of systematic theology.

Biblical and Historical Background

The passage most often cited as the basis for apologetics is 1 Peter 3:15, which urges believers to be ready to give an answer "to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you." The scene in which Paul explained the gospel to Greek philosophers at the Areopagus in Athens (Acts 17:16–34) is also commonly cited as a representative example.

In the second century, "apologists" emerged to defend the faith against persecution and misunderstanding in the Roman Empire; Justin Martyr is the most prominent among them. Later, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Blaise Pascal, and others wrote works answering the questions of their own times. In the twentieth century, the apologetic works of C. S. Lewis, written for a general readership, were widely read.

Theologians differ on the proper method of apologetics.

• Classical and evidentialist apologetics seeks to demonstrate the validity of the faith by first presenting rational arguments and historical evidence.
• Presuppositional apologetics is the approach advocated by Cornelius Van Til and others. It takes the revelation of Scripture as the starting point (presupposition) of all thought and argues that without presupposing Christianity, reason itself cannot be accounted for.

Practice in the Korean Church

Many Korean graduate schools of theology offer courses in apologetics. The subjects addressed include atheism, evolutionary theory, other religions, and the teachings of heretical groups.

The emphasis varies by denominational tradition. In some Presbyterian seminaries that identify with the Reformed tradition, Van Til's presuppositional apologetics has been given considerable prominence. This camp tends to be critical of approaches that rely on natural theology or neutral reason. By contrast, in evangelical publishing and parachurch organizations, many classical and evidentialist apologetic works in the vein of C. S. Lewis have been translated and used in small-group curricula and evangelism training.

Since the 2000s, criticism of Christianity has increased, particularly on the internet. In response, apologetics lectures, seminars, and books aimed at young adults are reported to have multiplied.