Kevin laid on his bed in dismay. “God, where are you?”
A week earlier, Kevin and his wife Amanda lost their second baby to a medical mal-practice. While Amanda was 9 months pregnant and ready to give birth, the doctor out of impatience pressed down hard on Amanda’s stomach killing their son.
“Where are you God?” “I don’t know what to believe anymore.” “How could you allow this to happen?”
These are the worst of times for any human-being to go through. What can prepare a Christian to win the battle of fear and doubt?
Years earlier out of curiosity, Kevin decided to read about Christian apologetics. Apolo…what? Apologetics is simply the fancy word to give “an answer” or “a defense” of the Christian faith. Christians and non-Christian ask questions like: “Why is the Bible true?” “How can Jesus be the only Way?” or “Why does God allow evil?”
Growing up in church, Kevin always believed that Jesus rose from the dead. As he studied more about apologetics, he really wanted to know if the resurrection of Jesus really happened. What historical evidence was there for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus? Or, was it a religious tale? Looking into the reliability of the resurrection of Christ, Kevin’s faith was deeply strengthened. He understood that his faith wasn’t just “faith”, but faith in a real historical event with tons of evidence. Little did Kevin know, that this study in Christian apologetics on the evidence for the resurrection would someday save his life. Kevin once told me, “Aaron, as I laid there in my bed after loosing our second son, there was only two things that kept my Christian faith; the inner presence of the Holy Spirit, and, that I knew without a doubt that my Christian faith was historically true. I couldn’t shake it.”
Today, Kevin and Amanda are doing well. They adopted three children are living for the Lord. When I got my Master’s degree from Biola University in Christian Apologetics in 2011, Kevin and Amada where some of my greatest cheerleaders. Why? Because they knew the power of growing in the confidence of our Christian beliefs.
Pastors and Church leaders are always looking for new ways to help their people grow. As the world gets darker, it is habit for Christians to hide in their churches. But there is hope, and a new way for Christians to grow! If Christian Apologetics can help Kevin and Amanda grow, maybe Christian apologetics can help you and your congregation grow as well. Learning why the Bible is true, why Jesus is the only way, how to share the gospel, and why God allows evil can ground a Christian for the rest of their life, and even for the storms to come. Plus, Christians actually get excited about sharing their faith! Why? Christians begin to feel like they are not running into the flames of spiritual battle with a squirt gun! They finally have confidence and answers for people who might challenge Christianity.
Where is Apologetics in the Bible?
In Philippians 1, the Apostle Paul is in jail. Can you imagine? With time on his hands, Paul turns lemons into lemonade. He probably began to think, “Okay, I am in jail. I have to wait on the Lord to get me out. While I wait, I can witness to people about Jesus.” Paul wrote in Philippians 1:7, “…whether I am in chains, or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share God’s grace with me.” In the original Greek that Paul wrote in, the word “defending” is the Greek word “apologia” where we get the word, “apologetics” from. So, while Paul is in jail he does at least two things: 1). Defend the Gospel. 2). Confirm and share the Gospel.
“Apologia” was a first century law term which meant to give “a defense” for someone in court. So, back along time ago, if you where in court, and you needed a lawyer, your lawyer would stand up and give an “apologia” or defense for you. As the Apostle Paul traveled to foreign nations and pagan people groups, he often would have to explain and even defend the Christian faith. Once people understand why Christianity was true, it opened the door to explain more about the Gospel and what Jesus did for them.
The Apostle Peter also used the word “apologia.” In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter wrote, “…always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” The word “answer” is the word “apologia.” Peter wrote a letter to struggling Christians about how to handle trials. The way Christian handle trials should look different than the way a non-Christian handles trials. If a friend sees hope in you during a heavy trial, be prepared to give an answer or an “apologia” to them.
If you are interested personally in learning more about Christian apologetics. Or, are a pastor and would like some new ideas to help strengthen your people. Having the Michigan School of Apologetics (MS0A) come to your church might be a great boost in the faith of your people you shepherd. MSOA is a traveling apologetics seminar to churches in Michigan. Each MSOA seminar is once a week for six weeks. Each church picks what night of the week works best for them. People learn why the Bible is true, how to share the gospel, why God allows evil, evidence for the resurrection and many more life-changing truths. At the end of the six weeks, graduation certificates are rewarded for all the energy put into learning God’s Word.
If you are interested, please visit the Michigan School of Apologetics website at: www.michigansoa.org.
