Why do we engage in apologetics?

As I learn more about Christian apologetics, it becomes clear that this philosophy and its methodologies have at least two distinct major, practical purposes: 1) to strengthen my relationship with God, and 2) to strengthen the relationship between others (including non-believers) and God. And there are other minor sub-facets underlying here, but these two points are good and simple. And it appears that Gould and others from our text, Stand Firm, agree:

“Apologetics can help you think more deeply about the content of your mental life in order to root out error, strengthen beliefs, and bring a deeper appreciation of the lure and enchantment of Jesus and the gospel.”¹

I read the Bible for many reasons. Mostly, I read Scripture from a place of love for my Father—to grow in knowledge, faith, and wonder of the One who created me. I don’t really read Scripture to prove a concept or modality. So, I’ve not consulted the Bible for references to apologetics until this course (APOL500). Sure, there may be practical reasons to employ apologetics, as mentioned above, but are we commanded or encouraged to do so by God? I’m beginning to see that we are, to some or various degrees, called to defend Christianity by “removing obstacles or doubts”, “offer(ing) positive reasons” to show that “Christianity is true and satisfying”— making an appeal to conscience, reason, and imagination for the sake of Jesus.¹ And, yes, this is validated in Scripture:

^“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”²

Moreover, in surveying the Great Commandment (Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Matthew 22:37), is not philosophizing over Christian principles and fundamentals and applying those at least one way in which to love God with our minds? I’m sure my understanding of the why behind apologetics will evolve with time.

What is the relationship of truth to knowledge and faith?

Before attempting to explain the dynamics between truth and knowledge, and truth to faith, it may be helpful to first provide some definitions.

Truth:

Essentially (and basically), per Stand Firm, Chapter 2, truth must have three components: 1) descriptive propositional content (a claim or belief), 2) objective fact(s) of reality, and 3) correspondence relation. For example, a person might say, “I believe Earth is a planet.” That person’s verbal claim that they believe Earth is a planet is their proposition. That person’s proposition matches facts of reality (i.e., planetary physical structure, orbital attributes, etc.), and there is an appropriate relationship between the facts and their proposition. Therefore, their claim is true. It may also be helpful to express what truth is not. Truth is independent of subjectivity and knowledge. Truth cannot be partially true or partially false (law of excluded middle). Truth cannot be contradictory or self-refuting (law of noncontradiction, relativism).

Knowledge:

Like truth, there are three components that demonstrate a person has knowledge: 1) they must have a proposition, 2) the proposition must be true, and 3) they must have evidence for believing their proposition.³

Faith:

I’d like to reference Strong’s Concordance for the definition of faith. Faith, or pistis, can be defined as trust or confidence, and fidelity. Fidelity can be elaborated as continual loyalty.

And so, we can determine that truth is independent of knowledge and faith. Truth exists whether there is anyone alive to know the truth or anyone to be loyal to the truth. Conversely, having knowledge is dependent upon truth—a person cannot have real knowledge without truth. Faith appears to be like truth: it is independent of truth and knowledge. For example, a person can be loyal, that is to have faith, to people or things that do not abide by or are founded in truth or knowledge. Conversely, it would be very difficult, I think, to have faith without knowledge of a truth. I may be able to summate my thoughts with this: Truth exists outside of the mind whereas knowledge and faith require a mind, and to take faith further, faith is unlike knowledge in that it not only requires a mind, but a heart and soul also.

Bibliography

¹ Paul Gould, Travis Dickinson, and Keith Loftin, Stand Firm: Apologetics and the Brilliance of the Gospel (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018).

² 1 Peter 3:15 ESV

³ Paul Gould, Travis Dickinson, and Keith Loftin, Stand Firm: Apologetics and the Brilliance of the Gospel (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018).