The Purpose of Apologetics

In a recent discussion a group of eminent Christian apologists spent a long time discussing the logical arguments they use when discussing with others of different opinions. No mention was made of whether the arguments were effective in convincing their opponent. There are limits to what the use of logic will achieve.

Arguments based on logic

The difficulty we all face is that those we talk with are seldom persuaded by logical arguments. Thus those holding a rigid perspective on how to read Genesis 1 are very rarely persuaded by the visible evidence coming from ice cores which clearly demonstrate well over 50,000 years of annual deposits. Those with secular outlook on the origin of the universe are very rarely persuaded by the logical impossibility of the statistics produced by arguments within the Anthropic Principle, much preferring blind faith in the theory of an infinite number of universes. It appears that logical argument persuades few. It is remarkable how the medieval church condemned Galileo because the logic of his arguments went against their preconceived ideas and it took over two hundred years before the Vatican recanted from its position, in spite of all the evidence.

Arguments based on our innate instincts

Although Jesus and his apostles did use logical arguments, their most effective means of drawing people back to God were not logic but arguments that appealed to peoples God-given instincts. Logical arguments were most used to back up innate convictions that were awakened by preaching.

John the Baptist preached a baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus also stressed the need for repentance from sin,

“The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.” Mark 1:15

At Peter’s Pentecost sermon, his appeal was also to his hearers consciences and the innate longing people have for spiritual power.

“Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ Mark 1:15

When Paul preached in Athens, his approach was again first to appeal to people’s consciences but he then offered logical evidence to support his claim.

“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent for he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31

An evangelist points people to Jesus as the answer to man’s greatest problem which Jesus says is sin. Sin has been well described as an attitude of mind that says,

“Shove off God, I’m in charge, No to what you want!”

God’s remedy should be our priority

What a disaster it is that many apologists love logical arguments but too seldom point people either to God’s primary diagnosis or the remedy that is in Christ. Indeed many have found that we can win the argument but lose the soul we are talking with. Dr Hugh Ross rightly said in a recent discussion,

“All apologists should be evangelists.”

We had a visitor come to our church for a joint youth rally. I went to welcome her but, as I sat down, I was taken aback by her opening comment,

“The trouble with your church is that you talk too much about Jesus.”

I replied by showing her how Paul started his first letter to the troubled church at Corinth. Each of the first ten verses mentions Jesus at least once. This emphasis on Jesus can be seen throughout the New Testament. A deep-seated focus and reliance on Jesus is the mark of a Christian. Paul astutely says,

“For me to live is Christ.” Philippines 1:29

This must be what is seen in and heard from all Christians. It is clearly important that we have strong arguments to support the gospel about Jesus. Too often our emphasis is on producing arguments that are focussed on there being a God or for the best way to understand Genesis 1. It is Jesus himself who is the draw to God so why are we slow to present him to people?

We must do all we can to present the Biblical case for a uniform world view. Good science and good Biblical understanding must be united as they both come from the same divine source. If we don’t persuade the next generation about the validity of the Bible in a world that is increasingly besotted with science we will be culpable. However providing these arguments is not enough, Christ has called us to be ‘fishers of men’ for him.

All have spiritual needs

It is my conviction that few are persuaded to put their trust in God simply by an appeal to logical argument, however well presented. Most people's minds are only opened when a spiritual need is realised. It appears that when people are confronted by questions of guilt, of failure, of lack of real purpose and of clear needs in themselves that then they are open to hear the good news that God has entered this world to solve their problems. Those with few personal problems see little need for a gospel that can solve their needs.

It is striking how Jesus describes the work of the Holy Spirit,

“ . . . he will testify about me. And you also must testify . . .” John 15:26-27

The way the Holy Spirit will work is fascinating. His first appeal is to show people their spiritual need and that this can only be answered by Jesus.

“When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. In regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” John 16:8-11

Jesus is saying that the way the Holy Spirit opens people’s hearts to see the importance of himself. He appeals to our instincts about sin, emphasising that sin is primarily a rejection of God and his Son. He high-lights our lack of righteousness by pointing to the fact that Jesus demonstrates God’s standards. He reminds us that most people are under the control of the prince of this world - Satan, who stands condemned already so, by inference, the fate of those who are following him will be identical. Today the Holy Spirit, working through Christians, helps people to recognise these same spiritual truths that resonate with their spiritual instincts.

Christians are all called to bear fruit and in John 15 this refers to our winning others for Christ.

“I chose and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. . . . And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:16, 27

If we consider we have communication skills, it is a good test to ask ourselves whether we are still winning people to faith in Christ. Have we led some to Christ this year?

Arguments that appeal to logic differ from those that appeal to our spiritual instincts

As academics we love academic argument. But, as Christians, should we not also be focusing on how to help people realise that the innate instincts God has given point us to Christ? This is why the use of Scripture remains our most powerful apologetic. Scripture reaches to our innate instincts.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

It is only when we recognise that our self-obsessed thoughts and attitudes separate us from God, that we see our desperate need for Jesus Christ. If we just use intellectual argument are we in fact saying that God can be found through the intellect?

BVP