In chapter two, The Biblical Basis for Apologetics, Groothuis states that “the task in this chapter is to tighten up our understanding of apologetics by explaining its basis in Scripture.”
Christian apologetics is the rational defense of the Christian worldview as objectively true, rationally compelling, and existentially or subjectively engaging. The word apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia…. In the days of the NT “an apologia was a formal courtroom defense of something (2 Timothy 4:16) …. The term is used specifically for a rational defense of the gospel in three texts: Philippians 1:7, 16, and most famously in 1 Peter 3:15-16.”
Apologetics should be both objectively true and winsomely attractive to sinners. Apologetics also fortifies believers in their faith.
In Pascal mad this programmatic comment on his own never-finished apologetic project:
Men despise religion. They hate it and are afraid it may be true. The cure for this is first to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect. Next make it attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is. Worthy of reverence because it really understands human nature. Attractive because it promises true good (Pensees. 12/187, ed. and trans. Alban Kraishimer. New York: Pengiun, 1966, p. 34).
Apologetics is related to theology, philosophy, and evangelism.
Apologetics requires skill in reading the Bible aright, since one would not want to defend something not warranted in Scripture.
Apologetics walks arm in arm with philosophy, which is the investigation of significant truth claims through rational analysis. A Christian-qua-apologist, then must be a good philosopher.
The defense of Christianity as objectively true, rationally compelling, and subjectively engaging also plays a leading role in evangelism. Apologetics is different from proselytizing in that apologetics is pre-evangelism that speaks the truth in love and does not arm twist.
Is it true, “You cannot argue anyone into the kingdom?” Groothuis answers his own question: “The claim that no one is argued into Christianity is simply false.” William Lane Craig and other apologists have used apologetic arguments to win many to Christ particularly on college campuses. C.S. Lewis traces his conversion to rational arguments.
Groothuis documents that Isaiah (40-45), Jeremiah (10:1-16), Elijah (and the prophets of Baal) all used apologetics. Jesus used apologetics and silenced his critics in Matthew 22:24-32. Paul won some pagans through his apologetics on Mar’s Hill in Acts 17:13-31.
In addition to biblical arguments, the apologists need humility. If we grow in apologetic ability---or any other area of competence in ministry---without growing in the grace of humility, an ugly arrogance results, which threatens to blunt or even undermine the force of the best apologetics. Paul the intellect modelled this humility: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Humility manifests itself in prayer. Paul the great apologists, requested prayer for his outreach in Colossians 4:2-4.
The goal of apologetics, Groothuis says is: Christian conversion and intellectual confidence. For conversion to take place, we must understand what the gospel requires of a person and on what basis it requires it. This understanding is classically known as notitia. Saving faith includes knowing the essentials that each person is a sinner, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and the necessity of believing on the Lord Jesus.
Groothuis compares saving faith to marriage. A lover believes many favorable things about his or her beloved before marriage, but only becomes married after sincerely affirming, “I do,” and giving oneself to that partner.
This knowledge acquired and acted on with continual growth in the grace and knowledge of Christ will lead to intellectual confidence.
Dialogical and contextual apologetics. Again, Paul is the example of dialoging with sinners in the synagogues in the book of Acts. Because people hold to a smorgasbord of beliefs, the apologist must shift through them and find common ground to proceed to defend theism and the gospel. Relationships is almost always necessary for the apologist to win a hearing. The apologist can build relationships through the lost art of hospitality. Much of the success of Francis and Edith Schaeffer’s ministry in reaching unbelievers came because of inviting unbelievers to live with them at their L’Abri ministry in the Swiss Alps. Few of us have chalets in the Alps, but the principle of closely associating and loving unbelievers holds true nevertheless.