In general, Apologetics is formal argumentation in defense of something, such as a position or system. More specifically, Christian Apologetics is the branch of Theology which deals with the defense of the Christian Faith.
The English word Apologetics is derived from the Greek word “apologia” ἀπολογία which means “a verbal defense—a reasoned statement or argument.”
It is used in a number of passages in the New Testament: Acts 22:1, 25:16, 1 Cor. 9:3, 2 Cor. 7:11 and 2 Timothy 4:16 where it is used in the general sense of giving a verbal defense. But there are three verses which use it in the specific sense of defending the Gospel. The most famous of which is 1 Peter 3:15 where God commands us through Peter “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
Paul uses it in Philippians 1:7, and 17 where he acknowledges that he is set for the defense and confirmation of the Gospel.
And finally, In Titus 1:9, although he doesn’t use the word “apologia,” Paul tells Titus that one of the qualifications of a Bishop is "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. "
Most of the New Testament writers and even Jesus used an Apologetic approach when dealing with the opposition and also those who had sincere questions. It is clear that all believers are expected and commanded to know what they believe and why they believe it and be able to present it to those who ask about or directly challenge those beliefs.
Classical Apologetics
Classical Apologetics has been used since the time of Augustine. Classical Apologetics stresses the arguments for the existence of God, that miracles are possible and the historical evidence supporting the truth of Christianity. It establishes that a Theistic God exists and that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. This summary of the series of Classical Apologetics arguments is given in the “Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics,” by Norman L. Geisler:
“If a theistic God exists and miracles are possible and Jesus is the Son of God and the Bible is the Word of God, then it follows that orthodox Christianity is true. All other essential orthodox doctrines, such as the Trinity, Christ’s atonement for sin, the physical resurrection, and Christ’s second coming are taught in the Bible. Since all these conditions are supported by good evidence, it follows that there is good evidence for concluding that orthodox Christianity is true.
And since mutually exclusive propositions cannot both be true, then all opposing world religions are false religions. That is, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and other religions are false insofar as they oppose the teachings of Christianity. Therefore, only Christianity is the true religion.”
An essential companion to Apologetics is called Polemics. While Apologetics deals with objections and attacks originating from OUTSIDE the Christian faith, Polemics deals with attacks originating from WITHIN the Christian faith and those who claim to be Christian.
Apologetics is a necessary prerequisite to Polemics, because the existence of God and the inerrancy and authority of the Bible must be established before any accurate discussion of doctrine (which is derived from scripture) can be undertaken.
In addition to the Classical arguments, Evidential Apologetics employs a whole range of evidence such as rational, historical, archeological and scientific evidence in support of Christian truth claims.
