What Is Apologetics

In Defense of the Christian Faith

Challenges are often issued to articles of the Christian faith, such as the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and to specifically Catholic beliefs, such as the unique authority of the Pope. For this reason, Christians - and Catholic Christians in particular - often find themselves defending their beliefs in conversations with non-believers.

The Greek word for “defense” is apologia. Our English word “apology” is derived from it. In it’s classical definition, “apology” did not mean an admission of wrong, as the modern English word suggests. Rather, an apology was defense or justification of a belief. For example, students of philosophy or the classics are familiar with Plato’s Apology: an account of Socrates’ defense of his teachings.

In the present context, then, “apologetics” refers to the reasonable defense of the Christian faith. It is one aspect of what our Lord Jesus talked about when he urged us to love God with all our mind (see Luke 10:27). Faith is not opposed to reason; in fact, reason, rightly understood, is a support of faith.

Luke 10:27

²⁷ And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."

The foundations of Christian apologetics were laid by our Lord himself when he presented “many proofs” of his resurrection (see Acts 1:3), including the appearance to skeptical, hard-nosed, “doubting” Thomas and the other apostles (see John 20:24-29). The resulting apostolic proclamation of the gospel included eyewitness (legal or scientific) testimony as a central feature (see Luke 1:1-4, Acts 2:32).

Acts 1:3

³ To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God.

John 20:24-29

²⁴ Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe." ²⁶ Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you." ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." ²⁸ Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" ²⁹ Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Luke 1:1-4

¹ Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, ² just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, ³ it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theoph'ilus, ⁴ that you may know the truth concerning the things which you have been informed.

Acts 2:32

³² This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

St. Paul likewise engaged in apologetics, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks of the truth of Christianity. His reasoned style of evangelization is demonstrated in his sermon on the Are-op’agus, Mars Hill, in philosophy-dominated Athens (see Acts 17:22-34) and in his determination to “become all things to all, to save at least some” (see 1 Corinthians 9:22). The apostle’s approach to sharing and defending his faith should encourage Catholics today to follow his example.

Acts 17:22-34

²² So Paul, standing in the middle of the Are-op'agus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. ²³ For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To un unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. ²⁴ The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man, ²⁵ nor is he served by human hands, as though hee needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything. ²⁶ And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, ²⁷ that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, ²⁸ for 'in him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your poets have said, 'For we are indeed his offspring.' ²⁹ Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the Deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, a representation by the art and imagination of man. ³⁰ The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent, ³¹ because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead." ³² Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, "We will hear you again about this." ³³ So Paul went out from among them. ³⁴ But some men joined him and believed, among them Dionys'ius the Are-op'agite and a woman named Dam'aris and others with them.

Conclusion

Apologetics plays a crucial role in the life of a Christian, especially in today’s world where doubt and skepticism often challenge the foundations of faith.

In our modern context, apologetics serves as a bridge between faith and reason, inviting skeptics to consider the evidence and encouraging believers to deepen their understanding of the truth they profess. It is a vital tool for evangelization, helping us to articulate and defend the hope that is within us (see 1 Peter 3:15).

1 Peter 3:15

¹⁵ but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope tht is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence;

As Catholics, let us embrace apologetics as a means of sharing the beauty and richness of our faith with the world, always speaking the truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15). In doing so, we fulfill the command of Christ to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (see Acts 1:8), confident that He who has called us is faithful (see 1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Ephesians 4:15

¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Acts 1:8

⁸ But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samar'ia and to the ends of the earth."

1 Thessalonians 5:24

²⁴ He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.