One fine Southern lady, upon hearing
that I teach Christian apologetics, remarked indignantly, “I’ll never apologize
for my faith!”
The reason for her misunderstanding is
obvious: ‘Apologetics’ sounds like ‘apologize.’ But apologetics is not the art
of telling somebody you’re sorry that you’re a Christian! Rather ‘apologetics’
comes from the Greek word ‘apologia,’
which means a defense, as in a court of law. Christian apologetics involves
making a case for the truth of the Christian faith.
The Bible actually commands us to have
such a case ready to give any unbeliever who wants to know why we believe what
we do. Just as the contestants in a fencing match have learned both to parry
each attack as well as to go on the offensive themselves, so we must always be ‘on
guard.’ First Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to make a defense [apologia] to anyone who asks you for the
reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
(Author’s translation)
-- William Lane Craig in “On Guard: Defending Your Faith with
Reason and Precision”
#4666
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