Understanding the Role of Apologetic Evangelism
Apologetic evangelism plays a crucial role in the mission of the Christian evangelist. It is not merely about sharing the Gospel but also involves preparing the ground for its reception by addressing the intellectual and emotional barriers that may hinder a person from accepting the truth. Apologetic evangelism, as defined by Norman L. Geisler, is "tilling the soil of people's minds and hearts to help them be more willing to listen to the truth." This concept underscores the necessity of addressing the doubts, misconceptions, and objections that people may have toward the Christian faith before they can fully grasp and accept the message of the Gospel.
Christian evangelism, as seen in the first century, involved both the proclamation of the Gospel and the defense of its truth. Philip, for example, engaged in apologetic evangelism when he explained the prophecies of the Old Testament to the Ethiopian eunuch, showing him how they pointed to Jesus as the Messiah (Acts 8:26-40). Similarly, Paul reasoned with Jews and Gentiles alike, persuading them from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 17:2-3). These examples highlight that evangelism and apologetics are not separate endeavors but rather complementary aspects of the same mission.
The Importance of Pre-Evangelism in Today’s Context
In today’s context, where the knowledge of the Gospel is almost an unknown, pre-evangelism becomes even more critical. Pre-evangelism involves laying a foundation for those who have no prior knowledge of the Gospel, providing them with the necessary background information to understand and accept the message. This is especially important in a society where secularism and skepticism have become dominant, and where the Christian message is often met with hostility or indifference.
Apologetics serves as a tool for pre-evangelism by addressing the intellectual obstacles that prevent people from accepting the truth of the Gospel. It involves reasoning from the Scriptures, explaining and proving the truth of the Christian faith, and overturning false reasoning that may have taken root in a person’s mind. As Jude 1:3 exhorts, Christians must "earnestly contend for the faith" and be prepared to "make a defense to anyone who asks" for the reason for the hope that is in them (1 Peter 3:15).
Evangelism as an Obligation for All Christians
Evangelism is not merely the responsibility of a select few but is an obligation for all Christians. The Great Commission, as given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20, commands all believers to "go and make disciples of all nations." This commission is not limited to the apostles or full-time evangelists like Philip and Timothy but extends to every follower of Christ.
In the first century, all Christians were involved in some level of evangelism. While some, like Philip and Timothy, were full-time evangelists, others engaged in evangelism as part of their daily lives. This broad-based participation in evangelism was a key factor in the rapid spread of Christianity in the early years. By 125 C.E., Christianity had grown to over one million adherents, a remarkable feat considering the limited number of full-time evangelists. This growth was possible because every Christian understood their obligation to share the Gospel in some capacity.
Different Levels of Evangelism
While all Christians are called to evangelize, there are different levels of involvement, ranging from basic evangelism to full-time ministry.
Basic Evangelism: Basic evangelism involves planting seeds of truth and watering any seeds that have already been planted. This can be done in various ways, including informal conversations, house-to-house visits, street preaching, phone calls, or internet outreach. The amount of time and effort invested in this work is up to each individual Christian, but the key is to be actively involved in sharing the Gospel.
Making Disciples: Making disciples involves guiding an unbeliever from a state of unbelief to accepting Christ as their Savior and being baptized. This process includes nurturing the new believer until they become strong in their faith. While one Christian may carry a person through all the stages of discipleship, it is often a collaborative effort, with different Christians contributing at various points along the way. Regardless of the role one plays, every Christian should be prepared to step in and help whenever needed.
Part-Time or Full-Time Evangelism: Some Christians feel a special calling to devote themselves more fully to evangelism. These individuals may work part-time to support their ministry or receive support from their church. They are well-trained in all aspects of evangelism and are deeply involved in their local church and community, helping others to play their role in the Great Commission.
Congregational Evangelism: Within the local church, there may be several individuals who feel called to be evangelists. These congregational evangelists are crucial in leading the church’s evangelistic efforts, equipping and encouraging other members to be active in sharing the Gospel.
Addressing Bible Difficulties in Evangelism
One of the significant challenges faced in evangelism today is the prevalence of Bible difficulties, which skeptics often use to discredit the Christian faith. There are approximately 3,000 supposed errors and contradictions in the Bible, and addressing these can seem daunting. However, these difficulties do not represent insurmountable obstacles but rather opportunities to strengthen one’s faith and witness.
Christian apologetics provides a framework for addressing these difficulties by offering reasonable responses and satisfactory answers. If a Christian can provide a coherent and convincing explanation for a challenging passage, it can be inferred that there is also a reasonable answer for other passages that may not yet have a definitive response. This approach builds confidence in the trustworthiness of the Scriptures and equips believers to defend their faith against skeptics.
The Role of Apologetics in Evangelism
Apologetics is not just about answering objections; it is also about reinforcing the believer's confidence in the truth of the Bible. The new atheists, unlike the unbelievers of the past, are actively seeking to lead Christians away from their faith by sowing seeds of doubt. This makes the role of apologetics in evangelism even more critical. By providing solid answers to the challenges posed by skeptics, apologetics helps to remove the obstacles that may prevent someone from accepting the Gospel.
One of the key principles of apologetics is the burden of proof. The burden of proof lies with the person making the claim. When a Christian shares the Gospel, they have the responsibility to provide evidence for their beliefs if asked. However, if a skeptic challenges the Christian faith, the burden of disproving the Christian's beliefs lies with the skeptic. Understanding this principle helps Christians to engage in conversations about their faith with confidence.
Legal Standards of Proof Applied to Biblical Evidence
To objectively evaluate evidence, Christians can apply legal standards of proof, which have been refined over centuries to ensure fairness and accuracy in determining the truth. These standards can also be applied to the evidence for the Christian faith.
Warrants Further Investigation: At this level, the burden of proof is low, requiring only that something be reasonably likely to be true. For example, it is reasonably likely that Jesus Christ lived, died, and was resurrected, based on the historical evidence available. This level of proof may be sufficient in an initial conversation with a skeptic.
Probable: At this level, the burden of proof is slightly higher, requiring that something be likely true. For example, it is probable that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God, based on the historical and textual evidence available. This level of proof may be reached after several conversations with a skeptic.
Preponderance of Evidence: This is a higher level of proof, requiring that something be more likely true than not. For example, the evidence supporting the account of Noah surviving a worldwide flood may be more likely true than not, based on the archaeological and textual evidence.
Clear and Convincing Evidence: This level of proof requires that something be substantially more likely true than not. For example, the evidence that Adam and Eve were historical persons created by God may be considered clear and convincing based on the biblical and historical evidence.
Beyond Reasonable Doubt: This is the highest level of proof, requiring that something be true beyond a reasonable doubt. For example, the fulfillment of over forty major prophecies about Jesus Christ in the Old Testament can be considered true beyond reasonable doubt, based on the historical and prophetic evidence.
By understanding and applying these legal standards of proof, Christians can engage in apologetic evangelism with greater confidence and effectiveness.
The Bible Critic’s Approach to Evidence
Bible critics often exaggerate the level of their evidence while dismissing the evidence presented by Christians. They may present a small piece of evidence as though it were a conclusive argument against the Bible, only to abandon it when new evidence comes to light. For example, critics once argued that the biblical figure Belshazzar never existed because he was not mentioned in secular history. However, when archaeological evidence was discovered that confirmed Belshazzar’s existence, the critics quietly moved on to other arguments.
This approach reveals that the critic’s agenda is not to seek the truth but to sow seeds of doubt regarding the Bible’s authenticity. Even if conclusive evidence were discovered that confirmed the Bible’s accuracy, many critics would still refuse to accept it because it does not align with their predetermined beliefs.
The Christian Response to Bible Criticism
Christians must be prepared to respond to Bible criticism with solid evidence and reasoned arguments. This involves a deep understanding of the Scriptures and the ability to articulate the reasons for one’s faith clearly and convincingly. Apologetic evangelism is not about winning arguments but about helping people overcome their doubts and come to a place where they can accept the truth of the Gospel.
Christians should also recognize that the ultimate goal of apologetic evangelism is not just to defend the faith but to lead people to Christ. While answering objections is important, it is equally important to share the positive message of the Gospel and to demonstrate the love and grace of God in all interactions.
The Ongoing Work of Apologetic Evangelism
The work of apologetic evangelism is ongoing and requires continual growth in knowledge and understanding. As new challenges arise and new evidence is discovered, Christians must be ready to engage with the questions and doubts that people have. By faithfully fulfilling the role of an evangelist and apologist, Christians can help others to overcome their doubts and come to a saving knowledge of the truth.
In conclusion, apologetic evangelism is an essential aspect of the Christian mission. It involves not only sharing the Gospel but also addressing the intellectual and emotional barriers that may hinder a person from accepting the truth. By understanding the role of apologetic evangelism, engaging in pre-evangelism, and applying legal standards of proof to the evidence for the Christian faith, Christians can be more effective in their witness and help others to come to a deeper understanding of the truth.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
RECOMMENDED READING
THE HISTORICAL JESUS: The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
THE HISTORICAL ADAM & EVE: Reconciling Faith and Fact in Genesis
EARLY CHRISTIANITY IN THE FIRST CENTURY: Jesus' Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth
CHRISTIAN APOLOGISTS OF THE SECOND CENTURY: Christian Defenders of the Faith
CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: Answering the Tough Questions: Evidence and Reason in Defense of the Faith
REASON MEETS FAITH: Addressing and Refuting Atheism's Challenges to Christianity
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