What is Apologetics?
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The locus classicus on apologetics is the “classic passage” deferred to when discussing the ministry of defending the faith of Jesus Christ. It is found in I Peter 3:15.
to give an answer- is the Greek word apologia. Our English word “apology” comes from this word. The word means “a defense.” This was a word used in Greek law courts. It was used by an attorney to defend his client, or the speech given in defense of a person or thing.
It is used nine times in the New Testament.
Acts 22:1: “Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.”
Acts 25:16: “To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.”
Philippians 1:17: “But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.”
I Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
All Christians are called to give a defense for Christianity. Every Christian is an apologist— either good or bad.
Paul
go to the synagogue as to dialogue and to reason
Acts 17:2: “And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,” Acts 17:3: “Opening and alleging (dialogos), that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.”
reasoned- διελέγετο- to speak with
opening- διανοίγων- to explain; to interpret
alleging- παρατιθέμενος- to place before
Apologia at the End of the Apostolic Age
Apologia at the End of the Apostolic Age
Justin Martyr- 2nd C- Apologia- sent to emperor Antonius Pius. Martyr met the challenge to the church from pagan rulers.
The rise of the apologists:
to clarify what was being proclaimed by the early church- scriptures were being called
atheists because they did not worship the emperor
seditionists because of the strength of the church; part of their religion was to pray for kings and to those in authority; to render to Caesar; also, they were model citizens
cannibals because they partook of the bread and blood of the body of Jesus as symbols of His death
Five Keys to Good Apologetics
Five Keys to Good Apologetics
1. Be zealous for what is good
I Peter 3:13: “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?”
Nero- Christians talk about a baptism of fire, so they are guilty for the fire that destroys much of the city.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary (The Burning of Rome and the Christian Scapegoats)
The Burning of Rome and the Christian ScapegoatsAs public discontent mounted, word spread that Nero planned to burn down sections of Rome to clear the way for his Domus Aurea. Dio Cassius records that Nero had teams of arsonists set separate blazes throughout the city. His purpose was twofold: to disguise his involvement in the fire and to make it more difficult to extinguish the flames once they started (Hist. rom. 62.16.1–62.17.3). In an effort to direct suspicion away from the throne, Nero expressed empathy for those who lost their homes in the fire and rebuilt their houses from the royal purse. The ploy worked, for Nero’s popularity increased even as the national treasury decreased (Suetonius, Lives of the Caesars 6.38.3).The conflagration raged on for six days, consuming the estates of former Roman heroes, together with many temples and shrines (Suetonius, Lives of the Caesars 6.38.2). Citizens began to wonder how so many fires could have started simultaneously and in so many different sections of Rome. A rumor emerged that Nero, carried away in a maniacal fit, played on his lyre and composed verse while extolling the beauty of the flames that burned Rome to the ground (Suetonius, Lives of the Caesars 6.38.3). As fingers began to point in the direction of the royal palace, Nero sought a scapegoat to bear the blame for the fire.
The solution to Nero’s dilemma was found in the nearly universal contempt for Christians. As Tacitus records, “Nero substituted as culprits, and punished with the utmost refinements of cruelty, a class of men, loathed for their vices, whom the crowd styled Christians … Vast numbers were convicted, not so much on the count of arson as for hatred of the human race. And derision accompanied their end: They were covered with wild beasts’ skins and torn to death by dogs; or they were fastened on crosses, and when daylight failed were burned to serve as lamps by night” (Annals 15.44; compare also Suetonius, Lives of the Caesars 6.16.2). Even as the Apostle Paul made his appeal to Caesar in an attempt to receive Roman justice, the Christians were viewed as “a foreign and deadly superstition” (Annals 13.32). Pliny the Younger referred to early believers as that “wretched cult” (Ep. 10.96–97).
Psalm 56:4: “In God I will praise his word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear What flesh can do unto me.”
2. Be willing to suffer for righteousness
I Peter 3:14: “But and if [conditional 4th class; no certainty but possibility] ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;”
3. be brave
Recognize the blessing of standing for truth— and be brave.
I Peter 3:14: “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;”
4. be completely devoted to Christ
I Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
Imperative verb- a mood of command- do this and thou shalt be blessed.
Sanctify- to count God as holy; same word as in the Lord’s prayer; ....hallowed by thy name… even here, it is not a request but a command.
We must portray a high view of God in our Christian life.
5. be prepared to give an intelligent argument
I Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
imperative- be prepared
What does this require?
-study
-know more than just a little about the Bible
-the word disciple is the idea of math and learning; Christian life is about learning
6. be careful to maintain a good conscience
I Peter 3:16-17: “Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”