3 GOOD REASONS TO MAKE THE CASE FOR CHRISTIANITY.

We live in a culture where people are skeptical of Christianity. They have many questions. Young people in this generation are honestly seeking rational explanations to things they have heard. Unfortunately, many Christians are not prepared or equipped to answer questions relating to the Bible, God, science, ethics or other worldviews.

We need to equip this generation with rational, intelligent and reasonable explanations that show Christianity is true and provides the best answers when we consider all of the cumulative evidence. If we do not provide answers and make the case for Christianity, the Gospel of Jesus Christ will continue to be undermined.

So why is apologetics important? Do you think it is important? Some argue that all we need is faith. Let’s explore these and other important issues surrounding this subject. I would like to consider 3 good reasons to make the case for Christianity.

But before we look at why Christian apologetics is important, let’s define what we mean.

So an apologist proclaims and defends the truth of Christianity.

While this is not an exhaustive list, I believe these are 3 broad and very good reasons to make the case for Christianity.

1. IT IS CRITICAL TO SHARING THE GOSPEL

2. IT INCREASES YOUR FAITH

3. IT’S NOT AN OPTION – THE BIBLE COMMANDS IT

1. It is critical to sharing the gospel.

However, many times we run into roadblocks or obstacles. Many people have honest questions or doubts that they have been struggling with. They have various misconceptions about the Christian worldview. I have experienced this firsthand as I have witnessed to many young people. It is evident to me that evangelism and apologetics complement each other. I think those who regard apologetics as not very important, probably have not been engaged in the culture trying to evangelize and share the Gospel.

Being able to make the case for Christianity helps remove some of these roadblocks and causes people to be more receptive to the Gospel. Apologetics is really pre-evangelism to our culture.

We live in a dominant “post truth” culture that to a large degree has embraced philosophies such as relativism, pluralism, and naturalism. We need to be equipped to lovingly break down these barriers with the truth and ultimately plant seeds of truth with the goal of leading them to Christ.

Many Christians shy away from sharing the good news of the gospel because they are afraid of being challenged. They are not prepared to be able to articulate and defend what they believe and why they believe it. And sadly, some just do not see the need.

Many young people cite these as some of the reasons they walk away from their faith. They have also had bad experiences with the church and Christians. The hypocrisy and the lack of satisfactory answers have contributed to their indifference.

This needs to change! This does not mean we need to just gain knowledge for the sake of intellectual pursuit. We know Scripture admonishes that “knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” We must speak the truth in love.

We must be prepared! Being able to make the case for Christianity is critical to sharing the Gospel.

2. It increases your faith.

The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. We are also told that Scripture “thoroughly equips us for every good work.” When a Christian is grounded with a Biblical worldview and learns the evidence and how to articulate it, they gain confidence and their faith is strengthened.

This has certainly been my experience.

Think about when you are in school and you have diligently studied for the upcoming test. You put in the time and effort and feel very confident. You are almost looking forward to taking the test to demonstrate your diligent study paid off. The converse of this scenario is also true. When you do not do your homework, and you neglect to study and prepare, the last thing you want to do is take a test. You are not equipped.

Maybe a parent or even a pastor will respond to young people’s questions with “just have faith”. I believe many honestly express this view, but it is a faulty description of faith. Many translate this to “in order to be a Christian, you shouldn’t use your brain.” This blind faith approach is very unbiblical.

Does this mean we can know everything? Of course not. The Bible tells us to walk by faith and not by site. However, this does not mean I believe God exists without any evidence or reason. It means I can trust Him based on past experience even when I do not understand or know what plans He has for me. When I am struggling or have doubts these are the times I can have faith or TRUST that His plans are for the ultimate good.

The Apostle Paul commended those in Berea for having an open mind and being receptive AND for checking the Scriptures daily to see if what they were being told was the truth.

Paul also said to “Test everything, hold onto the good”. 1 Thessalonians 5:21. This would indicate we are not commanded to have a blind faith.

In the first book of Acts, Jesus Christ presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them for forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. What a faith builder that must have been!

In Hebrews 11:1 we are given a Biblical definition of faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Consider the following quote from Galileo Galilei:

I would like to share two more quotes from a couple of respected Christian apologists that I have had the opportunity to sit under their teaching:

Christianity is supported by evidence. When you study and are prepared, it will give you a confident faith you want to share.

3. It’s not an option – The Bible commands it

Lastly and probably the most important, is the third reason to make the case for Christianity.

Soberly consider the following passages of Scripture:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer (or a defense) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Test all things, hold fast to what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:5-6)

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)

Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women. (Acts 17:1-4)

In this passage we understand that this is what Paul normally did. It was his custom. He persuaded people to consider evidence. Paul was doing “apologetics” or giving a defense for what he believed. And from the context it worked! Some of them were persuaded.

There are more passages I could cite, but these are some of my favorites. I hope they encourage and motivate you to be equipped for the defense of the gospel. Why is it important? Remember, it is critical to sharing the Gospel, it increases your faith, and it is not an option. The Bible commands it.