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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Sep 149 min read

How Can Christian Apologists Follow the Teaching Methods of the Apostle Paul to Give Effective Answers to Objections?

What Was Paul's Approach to Addressing Objections?


The Apostle Paul stands as a critical example for Christian apologists in how to handle objections to the Gospel and biblical truth. Paul’s method of reasoning, explaining, proving, and overturning false arguments is foundational to Christian apologetics today. His approach was rooted in a deep understanding of Scripture, logic, and rhetoric, combined with compassion and love for those he sought to reach.


Paul’s interaction in the city of Athens, recorded in Acts 17:16-34, serves as an instructive example of his teaching method. Faced with a city full of idols, Paul’s spirit was stirred, and he began reasoning with the Jews and the devout persons in the synagogue as well as in the marketplace with those who happened to be there (Acts 17:17). This passage shows that Paul engaged both religious and secular audiences, adapting his method to the context in which he found himself.


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In engaging with the Greek philosophers, Paul did not launch into a direct critique of their idolatry. Instead, he acknowledged their religious devotion and used that as a stepping stone to introduce them to the one true God (Acts 17:22-23). His reference to their altar inscribed “to an unknown god” was a brilliant way to connect with their existing beliefs while gently guiding them toward the truth. Paul’s method teaches modern Christian apologists the value of finding common ground and building on it when addressing objections.



How Did Paul Reason from the Scriptures?


One of the hallmarks of Paul’s apologetic approach was his ability to reason directly from the Scriptures, as seen in his ministry to the Jews. In Acts 17:2-3, it says, “And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.’” Paul’s reasoning was not merely emotional or based on personal experience; he grounded his message in the authority of Scripture. This method of reasoning from the Scriptures should be central to any apologetic effort today.


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Paul’s approach also reveals that apologetics must focus on explaining and proving biblical truth, not just sharing it. He not only told the Jews about Jesus but carefully explained why it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise again. Christian apologists must be prepared to explain the reasoning behind biblical doctrines. For example, in addressing objections about the resurrection, an apologist might cite 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, where Paul highlights the death and resurrection of Jesus as the core of the Gospel message.



How Did Paul Address Philosophical Objections?


Paul’s encounter with the philosophers at the Areopagus in Athens reveals his ability to engage with sophisticated philosophical arguments. The Athenians were curious about new ideas, and Paul seized the opportunity to present the Gospel in a way that addressed their intellectual curiosity. He opened his speech by complimenting their religiosity and then introduced the concept of the true God who created the world and does not live in temples made by man (Acts 17:24).


What is remarkable about Paul’s approach is that he did not begin with Scripture when speaking to this particular audience. He knew that the Greek philosophers would not accept the authority of the Hebrew Scriptures, so he adapted his message to their worldview while still maintaining biblical truth. For example, he quoted Greek poets, saying, “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). By using their own cultural references, Paul created a bridge that made his message more accessible to them. This approach is instructive for modern apologists, especially when engaging with secular or skeptical audiences who may not recognize the authority of the Bible.


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Nevertheless, Paul did not compromise the Gospel message. After establishing common ground, he delivered the essential truth of repentance and the resurrection of Jesus, which caused division among his listeners (Acts 17:30-32). This shows that, while it is important to contextualize the message, the core truths of the Gospel must never be watered down or compromised in an attempt to win favor. Christian apologists today can follow Paul’s example by engaging with different worldviews, using elements of culture or philosophy to draw attention to biblical truths, but always presenting the core message of Christ’s death and resurrection.



How Did Paul Defend the Faith Against Religious Legalism?


One of Paul’s primary challenges came from Judaizers—Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile converts must follow the Mosaic Law, particularly the practice of circumcision. Paul’s defense of the Gospel of grace apart from works of the Law is most clearly seen in his letters to the Galatians and the Romans.


In Galatians, Paul rebukes the church for being led astray by the legalistic teaching of the Judaizers. He writes, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7). Here, Paul demonstrates the importance of safeguarding the purity of the Gospel message.

When faced with legalism, Paul argued forcefully that justification comes through faith in Christ, not through adherence to the Law. In Galatians 2:16, he states, “We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.” He continues in Galatians 3:11, “Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’”


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Christian apologists must be prepared to address religious legalism in various forms, whether it comes from misunderstandings of the relationship between faith and works or from other doctrinal errors. Like Paul, they must firmly defend the Gospel of grace and explain that salvation is a free gift from God, received through faith alone, not by human effort or adherence to religious rituals.



How Did Paul Use Personal Testimony in His Apologetic Method?


Paul often used his own personal testimony as part of his defense of the faith, especially when addressing hostile audiences. One of the most famous examples of this is found in Acts 22, when Paul is arrested in Jerusalem and given the opportunity to speak to the crowd. Instead of launching into a theological discourse, Paul begins by recounting his own experience of encountering Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:3-16).


Paul’s testimony was powerful because it demonstrated the transformative power of the Gospel. He was once a persecutor of Christians, but after meeting the risen Christ, his life was radically changed. This personal story of transformation not only served to defend his apostleship but also highlighted the grace and power of Jesus to save even the worst of sinners.


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In 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Paul reflects on his own conversion: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”


Christian apologists can follow Paul’s example by incorporating their personal testimony into their defense of the faith. Personal stories of how God has worked in one’s life can serve as powerful evidence of the truth of the Gospel. While personal experience should never replace Scripture as the foundation of an argument, it can complement biblical reasoning and provide a tangible example of God’s grace.



How Did Paul Refute False Teachers?


Paul’s letters frequently address false teachings that were infiltrating the early church. In his pastoral epistles, particularly in 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, Paul urges his young protégés to stand firm against false doctrine and to refute those who contradict the truth.


In 2 Timothy 4:2-3, Paul writes, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.” Paul recognized that false teachers would appeal to people’s desires rather than to the truth of God’s Word.


Paul’s strategy for combating false teaching was twofold: he both refuted error and instructed in sound doctrine. For example, in Titus 1:9, Paul instructs that an elder “must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”


This is an essential lesson for Christian apologists today. It is not enough to merely point out the errors of false teachings; apologists must also provide positive instruction in sound doctrine. This involves both a deep understanding of Scripture and the ability to communicate it clearly and persuasively. Apologists must be prepared to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3) by equipping themselves with knowledge of Scripture and a firm grasp of biblical theology.



How Did Paul Approach Evangelism with Gentiles?


Paul’s calling as the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13) shaped much of his apologetic and evangelistic approach. Unlike the Jews, who had the foundation of the Old Testament Scriptures, the Gentiles had little to no knowledge of God’s revelation. Therefore, Paul had to adapt his message to meet the needs of his Gentile audience.


In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul describes his approach to evangelism: “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”


Paul’s adaptability did not mean compromising the message of the Gospel; rather, it meant presenting the unchanging truth of Christ in ways that would resonate with different cultures and backgrounds. This principle is important for apologists today. They must be aware of their audience’s beliefs, values, and cultural background and present the Gospel in a way that speaks to their specific context without diluting the truth.



How Can Apologists Learn from Paul's Use of Logic and Reason?


Paul’s use of logic and reason is evident throughout his writings, especially in his letter to the Romans. Romans is often considered one of the most systematic theological writings in the New Testament, and it demonstrates Paul’s skill in presenting a well-reasoned argument. For example, in Romans 1:18-32, Paul logically lays out the consequences of humanity’s rejection of God, showing how their idolatry leads to moral decay and judgment.


In Romans 3, Paul uses a series of rhetorical questions to guide the reader through his argument about the universality of sin and the need for justification by faith. He asks, “What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin” (Romans 3:9). By anticipating potential objections and answering them directly, Paul constructs a compelling argument for the necessity of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.


Christian apologists can follow Paul’s example by carefully constructing logical arguments that anticipate and address common objections. This involves not only a thorough understanding of Scripture but also an awareness of the common philosophical and cultural objections to Christianity. Apologists should strive to present the Gospel in a way that is intellectually coherent and logically consistent.



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).


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