Gary concludes his interview with Chris Arnzen about abortion, racism, transgenderism, and so much more.
The Bible shows that apologetics and worldviews in general deal with fundamental assumptions that guide reason and give meaning to facts. For example, the first verse of the Bible states without equivocation or defense, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). The necessary operating assumption is that God exists and without His existence nothing makes sense. Unless we begin by establishing certain preconditions, we will never establish a valid and workable apologetic methodology, and attacks on the Christian faith will go unanswered.
“Apologetics” does not mean saying you’re sorry for being a Christian. Christians are not called on to apologize for believing in God, the trustworthiness of the Bible, the reality of miracles, and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ that saves sinners from final judgment. “The Greek word apologia (from which we derive the English word ‘apologetics’) denotes a speech made in defense, a reply (especially in the legal context of a courtroom) made to an accusation. The word originated in the judicial operations of ancient Athens, but the word occurs several times in the New Testament as well [Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Cor. 9:3; Phil. 1:7]”[1]
We use apologetics every day. Each time we defend our view of a subject over the opinions of others, we are practicing apologetics. It’s no less true in the defense of the Christian faith against all opposition. The Bible commands us to engage in apologetics:
But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled [Isa. 8:12], but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense [apologia] to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame (1 Peter 3:14–16).
To make an argument for a position does not mean to be argumentative. That’s why Peter adds, “with gentleness and reverence.” Never give anyone a reason to reject your position other than the position itself. That is, don’t be a hindrance to what you are saying by your speech or actions. There is a character aspect to apologetics. You can be the smartest person in the world and beat your opponent in every way possible and still lose the larger argument. People might say, “He may be right on the facts, but he’s a real jerk.” The way we defend the faith is as important as the method we use to defend the faith.
Against All Opposition
There are no neutral assumptions about reality. The starting point is the God of the Bible. The Bible begins with this foundational presupposition: ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’ (Gen. 1:1). Against All Opposition lays out the definitive apologetic model to help believers understand the biblical method of defending the Christian faith.
Buy NowGary concludes his interview with Chris Arnzen about abortion, racism, transgenderism, and so much more. The anti-Christian worldview is self-contradictory, and Christians simply need to point this out. The cracks in the foundations of unbelieving thought are growing larger and deeper, and non-Christians are getting more and more irrational in their “logic” to support their fight for power and money in rebellion against the God of the Bible.
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[1] Greg L. Bahnsen, “The Reformation of Christian Apologetics,” Founda- tions of Christian Scholarship, ed. Gary North (Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books, 1976), 194–95.