Introduction To Christian Apologetics

The word "apologetics" is not to be confused with the term "apology". Apologetics is derived from the Greek word "apologia" meaning "making a defense". Apologetics is a general term, signifying a formal defense of any kind. Christian Apologetics answers the question "is Christianity believable".

In the past four centuries, many religious and spiritual beliefs have come under intense attack by radical philosophers and critics. The Christian faith has received a major portion of the attacks due to a number of historical reasons covered later.

Criticisms against the Christian faith have received so much media coverage that even well informed non-Christians are aware of major charges against the Christian faith. Interestingly, books published against the Christian faith and sold from secular shops have become bestsellers even in countries where the buyers are not Christians. Such is the result of all this adverse publicity.

Today a widespread atmosphere of Biblical and related criticism pervades. The Christian student faces criticism from other students in various forms. Commonly the Christian college student is challenged by questions against the Christian faith. Questions may occur with such high frequency that the Christian student is at a loss to answer. Often the Christian student has not previously encountered these questions and does not know what to think or how to answer. The Christian student may fall into the trap of thinking that if he does not know the answer, then correct or satisfactory answers do not exist.

Once a person erroneously concludes that answers do not exist for questions raised against the Bible, his own faith in the inspiration, authority, and the infallibility of the Scriptures suffers. He then finds himself in a split mentality: he knows that it is these Scriptures which have brought the message of true salvation to him, but at the same time he questions that all things written in the Bible are true! Apologetics offers answers to questions challenging the bases of Christianity. A study of Christian apologetics can help the questioning Christian find answers to problems and questions with which he is confronted. The Christian who is knowledgeable in Christian apologetics can share information with doubting persons and those who raise questions against the Bible.

Anti-Christian philosophies and thought patterns flourished in the last four to five centuries. Secular humanism, a philosophy in which man has been elevated to the position of God, is presently a dominant philosophy. Secular humanism is the foundation most present day thinking and education. Therefore, students who have attended present day schools or colleges learn many things contrary to the Word of God. By the time a person leaves college, he accumulates hundreds of anti-Christian ideas resulting in distrust and doubt.

Although not each and every doubt can be solved, Christian apologetics provides answers to sufficient number questions and problems to support the faith. Christian apologetics can also explain the antichristian foundations of Secular humanism which will help inquirers to overcome doubts and to see root causes of problems. Inquirers will then be able to deal effectively with many questions as they arise.

Everyone faces a variety of puzzles, questions, and fears. Difficult situations will not go away merely by ignoring them or by pretending that they do not exist. Facing a problem is difficult, and people often avoid problems. Avoidance of Biblically related problems can frequently be seen. Attacks against the Scriptures come from diverse fields and from people of high learning making answering difficult. No one can ever hope to master all disciplines of study from which questions are raised. This difficulty induces many people to avoid facing the issues, but there is no need for avoidance. Acquiring basic tools of Christian apologetics will be sufficient to answer most attacks against the Bible and the foundations of Christian faith.

No person can ever hope to answer all questions, but every Christian should definitely know something about what godly men are doing in the field of Christian apologetics. Today the Christian society has numerous highly qualified and dedicated men of all disciplines of study who are searching the Scriptures to answer each and every question that has been hurled against the Bible. Naturally individuals become fearful of anti-Christian attacks, but can have confidence that the pursuit of Christian apologetics has answered and will continue to seek out answers to questions. In fact, today scholars around the world are publishing conclusions in defense of the Christian faith through hundreds of professional journals and popular magazines. The information is accessible to anyone.

The Bible shall always be attacked, and there will always be people whose faith will be challenged. Proper use of Christian Apologetics will help.


Christian Apologetics is a branch of Christian studies dealing with the defense of the Christian faith which is a Biblical activity as advised and demonstrated in the Bible. For example, Peter wrote: "Always be prepared to make defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15, RSV). Making a defense of one's faith is a part of our spiritual duty. The word "Apologetics" comes from the Greek word "APOLOGIA" translated as "defense". Apologetics is a defending of the faith, not the making of apologies as might be wrongly concluded from the English word "apologetics".

A good definition of the character and function of Christian apologetics can be found when in Paul says : "We live in the flesh, of course, but the muscles that we fight with are not flesh. Our war is not fought with weapons of flesh, yet are strong enough, in God's cause, to demolish sophistries, and the arrogance that tries to resist the knowledge of God ; every thought is our prisoner, captured to be brought into obedience to Christ" (II Corinthians 10:3-6, Phillips)

The book of Job is an apologetics justifying God's dealings with man. In the face of opposition from his friends and family, Job shares the reasons for his loyalty and confidence in the Lord. He makes it very clear that the Lord of Israel was not like the gods of pagans around them; rather, the Lord of Israel is a faithful God who would never fail those who trust in Him.

Psalms 14 and 19 are also apologetic in character. Romans 1:20 adds apologetic confirmation by saying that the marvels of nature are enough to indicate the existence of an intelligent and all-powerful God. In Acts 17 Paul’s message is another example of apologetics being used to preach the gospel to skeptical unbelievers.

APOLOGETICAL APPROACHES IN THE BIBLE: Though the Bible places great stress upon faith and belief, and though it condemns deliberate skepticism and unbelief, The Bible does not speak against reason and investigation. The Bible encourages sincere use of reason and investigation as an aid to honest inquiry. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament furnish ample evidence of inquiry through reason and investigation. God Himself used reason and inquiry in numerous places to lead people into faith.

When God commanded Moses to go to Pharaoh, God gave two signs to Moses to verify that it was God who sent Moses. Whether Pharaoh believed or not is a different subject. God provided demonstrations that He was the true God. Gideon requested signs and God also granted both of Daniel’s requests. Hejekiah was given a choice of signs to confirm that the Lord had spoken. The experimental approach, where a decision is made on the basis of investigation, was exemplified when Daniel and his friends suggested to the steward in-charge that the steward should "prove" (investigate and conclude) them for ten days.

Jesus and his biographers repeatedly stressed that the primary purpose of the miracles performed by Jesus were to demonstrate who He was, not merely to bring health to the world. Paul and others also stressed that the purpose of miracles in the New Testament were to ATTEST that God was behind the miracles. Though Jesus chided "doubting Thomas" for his skepticism, He did not refuse to give proof. Rather, He invited Thomas and even other disciples to examine Him physically and conclude that He is risen.

The Bible has given ample evidence of the necessity and the importance of apologetics for Christians as well as non-Christians. Though the Bible condemns unbelief, the Bible encourages sincere inquiry in which Apologetics plays an important role.

APOLOGETICS AND POLEMICS: An important companion of Apologetics is Polemics. While Apologetics is a defense of the Christian faith in response to attacks originating from people outside the Christian faith, Polemics deals with attacks originating from within the Church. Many readers may be surprised that attacks arise from "within" the church. However, people have always existed within the Jewish and the Christian faith who have attacked the Old and the New Testaments.

Polemic attacks arise in two forms. First, in the form of distorted Bible interpretation, and secondly through false cults claiming that they are a Christian group. Polemic attacks of the Bible perverted doctrines. Examples in the New Testament include the Ebionites, Pelegians, Montanists, Nestorians, Arians, and many others from within the Church. Examples from the dawn of the twenty-first century include radicals, ecumenists, Christian New Agers. Also included is the teaching of salvation through baptism, attacks on the person of Christ (Smithism/Poonenism), and Hinduized Christian doctrines (Prajapati Proponents, Christian Vedantists), etc.

False cults claiming to be Christian but who still attack fundamentals of the Christian faith include, Jehovah Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons, TPM (Ceylon Pentecostal Mission), Roman Catholics, The Toronto Movement, etc. The number of cults is growing constantly, and the leaven of their erroneous teachings is also spreading.

Though Apologetics and Polemics are two different activities, their essence is the same: to refute error and to establish truth. Till a few decades ago Christian apologetics and polemics could be separated. Perhaps in the past study of either apologetics or polemics was adequate. But no more! Attacks against the Christian faith now borrow insights from both apologetics and polemics making necessary the knowledge of both.


Many people think that Christian apologetics and polemics are subjects of recent origin. Nothing could be farther from truth. Biblical Apologetics and Polemics are as old as the Bible. Both the Old Testament as well as the New Testament give ample evidence of the use of apologetics and polemics.

APOLOGETICS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT: Attacks against the Word of God began in the Old Testament period itself. Within the Old Testament record many people questioned whether the God of the Israelites was the true God, and in many cases God provided answers and demonstrations. (See "Apologetic Approaches in the Bible".) The listing from the Old Testament given above is only a sample. The actual number of apologetic passages and incidents in the Old Testament is too numerous to be listed here in this book.

APOLOGETICS AMONG JEWISH FATHERS: The Jewish Fathers and Leaders faced pagan opposition because of the Bible's special treatment of the Jewish people. Starting in Genesis, the Bible teaches that man is a sinner, totally depraved, and unable to save himself. Grace is the only means available for salvation. The teaching of grace and faith for salvation irritated and irked the pagans who had Universalist religions. Universalism teaches the salvation of everyone in the world irrespective of his religion. Universalism does not accept exclusive doctrines and practices. Thus it was natural for the Universalist pagans in Old Testament times to attack the Bible.

Though writing materials were not in abundance in Old Testament times, many pagan critics of the Bible produced large numbers of books attacking the Old Testament. History bears witness that people attacking the Bible were well received, and consequently pagan critics were able to spread their messages widely. Jewish Rabbis and scholars wrote countless volumes to counter charges brought by pagan critics. One of the best known Jewish apologetic works is Contra Apion, written by the first century Army officer and historian Flavious Josephus. This book is easily available today in many Seminary libraries as part of the Complete Works Of Josephus. Archaeologists have discovered numerous other Jewish apologetic works also.

APOLOGETICS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT: With the establishment of the New Testament Church came a new breed of heretics and critics. Through the rise of professionals called "scribes", copies of writings were available for the spread of pagan philosophies.

The New Testament itself gave rise to critics, heretics and heretical movements. Till the book of Malachi, doctrinal subjects were taught indirectly and often in a veiled manner. However, in the New Testament doctrines related to man's sin, total depravity, salvation by grace alone and faith alone were proclaimed more clearly. Clear explanation of Biblical doctrines and exposition made non-believers uncomfortable. As long as the divine message was partially veiled, critics were not concerned, but clear proclamation of the Biblical message exposed errors, biases, and prejudices. No longer could Universalism, Humanism, Accommodation, be maintained. Now tenets of Biblical theology are spelled out clearly.

A large number of people calling themselves Christians did not want to accept the Biblical doctrines of salvation through grace and faith alone. Many were converts from heathen faiths who did not want to abandon philosophies and theologies which they had believed before coming to the Church. Further, many of them loved the freedom of sensuality offered by pagan philosophies. Therefore, perverted teachings were popularized. The main goal was self-justification.

Thus there were Judizers who created problems in Galatia and other places. The Epistle To Galatians is an refutation of their teachings. There were Gnostics who tried to synthesize Christian theology with occult philosophies. The Epistle To Colossians is an apologetic against them. The Epistle To Hebrews is an apologetic against another heresy. Jude had to remind his readers to contend for the faith against those who would like to distort the Christian message. Peter warned his readers against those who mocked statements in the New Testament. The New Testament documents opposition of scornful people and heretics who distorted Biblical truths. Instead of ignoring erroneous doctrines, the New Testament writers wrote extensively to expose error, to condemn error, and to establish truth.

APOLOGETICS AMONG CHURCH FATHERS: Availability of New Testament documents irritated Christians in the first century and following centuries. Confused Christians merging Biblical and their own pagan philosophies spread heretical doctrines means; e.g. Gnostics, Nestorians, Ebionites, Montanists, Pelegains, Arians. Several Church councils gathered together to condemn and suppress these teachings.

Many heretics were dedicated writers producing a large number of voluminous books to spread their ideas. Consequently, the Church Fathers of the same period were also forced to write lengthy books to refute errors. A large amount of heretical writings and apologetic refutations have been discovered by archaeologists.

The Bible is the only religious book insisting that every human is a born sinner, totally depraved, and unable to do anything to attain his own salvation. In addition heretics were further irritated by the New Testament insistence of Christ Alone, Grace Alone, and Faith Alone for salvation. Further, the fast spread of the Christian faith, and the deep commitment of new converts overwhelmed many non-Christian critics. To thwartt the spread of Biblical based teaching to the whole world further tirades were launched against the Bible, Jesus Christ, and Christianity. A notable example is the rationalist writer Porphyry. Living in Sicily in the third century, Porphory wrote a work entitled "Against Christianity". What is surprising is the size of this work which occupied a solid FIFTEEN volumes !! Obviously, such prolific writers were able to influence a large number of people. The Church Fathers courageously combated Porphyry and similar rationalists and produced hundreds of volumes of Christian Apologetics and Polemics. Were it not for the warrior mentality of the Church Fathers, much damage could have been done.

MODERN CREATIONISM AND APOLOGETICS: Christian Apologetics and Polemics were strong in the first five centuries of the Christian Church. During the next thousand years the Roman Catholic Church ruled the Christian world. Rather than reasoning and arguing with the dissenters, the Roman Catholic Church killed dissenters. Opposing voices were silenced in public because of the life-threatening atmosphere. From about the middle of the fourth century to the middle of the fourteenth century, the Roman Catholic church indulged in a great struggle for ecclesiastical as well as temporal power. In this struggle they silenced, tortured, and killed millions of dissenting people. A revolt brewed in the hearts of people, especially thinkers in Europe. However, the dictatorial rule of the Church prevented expression of dissenting views. Thus the Reformation gave rise to freedom coveted by all thinkers, resulting in torrents against the Roman Catholic Church.

Since there was little understanding of the differences between the Roman Catholic church, the true church of Christ, and the Christ of the Bible, both were rejected simultaneously. Concurrent with the rejection of Christianity was the rise of a host of anti-Christian thinkers, philosophies, and movements. By the nineteenth century, the multitude of anti-Christian people and movements were united in opposition to the Bible and Christianity.

However, since the idea of creation was widely accepted (including most educated people), overthrowing the authority of the Bible was difficult. Only through rejection of the Bible would Christian doctrines and beliefs be discounted. By the middle of the nineteenth century the social climate was amenable to challenge Christianity. But a crucial factor for the challenge was not present. The Theory Of Evolution was only in philosophical form. The rise of modern science required scientific bases. At this time Charles Darwin proposed his Theory Of Evolution. For the first time an evolution was proposed in the form of a theory of SCIENCE! The dissenting movements eagerly and immediately accepted Darwin's theory.

By the close of the nineteenth century, the theory of evolution also influenced theology. At the same time infidels with degrees in theology were placed in positions of power in German universities. Some European and American evolutionists soon persuaded theologians, especially in Germany, that evolution is a fact. A few theologians then began persuading other theologians and seminary teachers that Christians must now accept evolution. The more aggressive theologians even started teaching that portions of the Bible that deal with creation should be abandoned altogether. Germany theological institutes, which were controlled and funded by government, provided an ideal ground for perpetuating evolution among theologians. The government was interested only in academic degrees, not in whether a person was born again and committed to the Bible.

Non-Christian radical German theologians had plenty of degrees, but not Christ in their hearts. Thus they began to enact a clear agenda to destroy belief in the Bible. The radical German theologians aimed to first destroy the foundations of Christianity. Since government funding was liberal, the German atheist theologians were able to print and spread their ideas world wide.

However, not everyone was willing to discount the Bible. Many were interested in merging evolution and Christian beliefs. Acceptance of evolution would command respectability in the eyes of theological infidels, but at the same time acceptance of creation would keep them in the confines of evangelical Christianity. Thus began an era of compromises. Compromise interpretations of Genesis became widespread, partially through the influence of Scoffield, and partially through the influence of seminaries teaching compromise theories.

Compromise is never good for truth. Truth suffers when mixed with falsehood. Thus mingling evolution with creation eventually destroyed Biblical foundations to such a level that radicals, humanists, evolutionists, rationalists, and atheists could readily attack Christian beliefs. In the first half of the twentieth century, qualified theologians in USA or Europe who would openly defend the Biblical story of creation were scarce. Since Indian evangelical theology was mostly a copy of Western theology, Indian theologians also avoided defending the Biblical doctrine of Creation.

A few American Seventh Day Adventists defended the idea of creation during this period. A small remnant in conservative churches in USA also took a strong stand for creation. In the first decade of the twentieth century twelve volumes of books known as "The Fundamentals" were produced. Only a minority of scholars at that time identified with the fundamentals as presented in the volumes. Their influence eventually helped to turn the tide in favor of the Bible.

In the 1950s American evangelical Christians realized compromise ultimately destroys respect for truth. A few evangelicals started writing aggressively on themes defending the historical and scientific reliability of the Bible. This gave birth to the modern interest in Apologetics and Creationism. At the dawn of the twenty-first century the influence of this revival has spread over the world, and today more than one hundred and fifty organizations are devoted solely to apologetics. As a result many Seminaries around the world have begun to assert the historical and scientific reliability of the Bible.

CREATIONISM IN INDIA: Indian theological thought has mirrored the West. Thus with the rise of German radical theology, most theologians and seminary-trained people in mainline Protestant churches (Lutherans, Methodists, CNI, CSI, and Marthoma) were theologically radical. Evangelical thinking was scorned in seminaries. Older theologians and priests who are willing to take a stand for the historical and scientific reliability of the Bible are rare.

Separatist churches like the Brethren, the Pentecostals, the Independent/Fundamental Baptists, and other evangelical groups were a little better. They did not forsake their high view of the Bible. At the same time most capitulated to compromise interpretation; e.g.Theistic Evolution and Gap Theory. The influence of C. I. Scoffield promoted the spread of the Gap Theory.

In the early sixties, the late Professor H. Enoch was the first Indian to take a strong stand against the Theory Of Evolution. His English book Evolution Or Creation influenced a large number of young Indians, especially through the EU and EGF groups. He wrote many articles in the UESI student magazine also.

In the sixties and seventies evangelical magazines were unwilling to publish articles defending the historicity of the Bible or creation. The Cross and Crown, a Pentecostal magazine edited by Dr. Thomas Matthew from Udaipur, Rajestans was an exception. The magazine took a firm stand in favor of the accuracy of the Bible, and for decades carried such articles regularly.

In the seventies a fellowship of scientists was formed known initially as FOCMOS (Fellowship Of Christian Men Of Science), and later as CSFI (Creation Scientists Fellowship Of India). The organization soon became defunct because of lack of commitment from members, and also because their interests lay elsewhere. However, A. K. Skariah, the secretary of this movement continues to be a tireless crusader for Creation and Apologetics.

Dr. Johnson C. Philip founded Creation Research in 1970. Creation Research functioned mainly through publication of articles, and at the present time more than 1500 articles have been published in more than 6 languages in almost a dozen countries around the world. This movement is now known as Calvin School Of Apologetics And Theology, and offers full-length courses in creationism and apologetics.

At the time that Calvin School's predecessor was founded in 1970, standard Christian magazines in India were unwilling to publish articles defending the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible. Nor were Bible seminaries willing to teach these subjects. However, three decades of crusading by Calvin School has given rise to a significant movement in India for the defense of faith.

Another person who played a significant role in Christian Apologetics is Dr. Johnson George. Born in Kerala and brought up in MP, he became fluent in more than one language. His writings on apologetical themes in several languages have had a wide impact.

An apologetics organization that entered India recently is RZIM, founded originally in the USA by Dr. Ravi Zacharias. RZIM conducts training programs throughout India. Their stand is highly Biblical except for the teaching of the compromise-doctrine of day-age theory or even the gap theory. Their focus is more polemical and rhetorical than analytic.

GAINS OF MODERN APOLOGETICS: The last half of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century were times when well-known Christian seminaries, journals, and publishing houses accepted compromise positions of evolution and rationalism. This created such skepticism in the minds of the average Christian that very few found the courage to take a public stand to defend the Bible or their faith.

Ultimately Christian believers (especially Christian believers young in the faith) also accepted the rationalism-dominated thinking. This was one reason why Christians did not have the courage to oppose the anti-biblical, anti-social, and anti-morality movements of the forties and fifties, which culminated in the acceptance of the open immorality in the sixties in the USA. This immorality eventually invaded India also.

However, with the modern acceptance of creationism and apologetics, a revival occurred among evangelical Christians. In the sixties, and by the seventies evangelical Christians exerted world wide influence among theologians, thinkers, and Bible teachers. Thousands of apologetic books, hundreds of magazines, and tens of thousands of articles have since been produced defending the Bible. In turn, the influence of rationalists and radicals on Christians has started to diminish.

From the middle of the nineteenth to the middle of the twentieth century the rationalists dominated thinking influencing millions of young people away from their Christian faith and commitment. The loss can been seen in Christendom even today, but at the same time this loss has been greatly minimized now because of the work of Christian apologists. Today anyone desiring to know about the Bible, and its connection with science, evolution, history, archaeology, may read any number of books on these topics. Literally thousands of titles are available from elementary books to advanced books.

Thus the modern apologetics movement has been able to arrest the way in which rationalists have been influencing the Christian church. Through the apologetics movement many doubting people have been restored to a strong faith. Apologetic has strengthened the faith of many believers who wanted to know the truth.

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Original article contributed by Dr. Johnson C. Philip and Dr. Saneesh Cherian. Revised by:

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