A decade ago, I regularly incorporated apologetics into my sermons at Olney Baptist Church. I did this because I believe apologetics should be part of a church’s ministry (including its pulpit ministry). And I also did it because I love apologetics (and I believe God wired me that way).
However…
I periodically would hear (usually indirectly) rumblings and “murmurings” (to steal a great KJV word) about my love for apologetics. And I encountered some confusion (more on this shortly).
Let’s quickly define our key term. What is apologetics? I like the definition provided by GotQuestions.org:
The English word “apology” comes from a Greek word which basically means “to give a defense.” Christian apologetics, then, is the science of giving a defense of the Christian faith. There are many skeptics who doubt the existence of God and/or attack belief in the God of the Bible. There are many critics who attack the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. There are many false teachers who promote false doctrines and deny the key truths of the Christian faith. The mission of Christian apologetics is to combat these movements and instead promote the Christian God and Christian truth.
So, that’s apologetics. And it’s frustrating to me that some would object to its use. But, as I said, bringing apologetics into a pastor’s sermons can be confusing (to many) and unpopular (with some).
A few years ago, an ordained preacher joined our congregation. He’s become a good friend. And, in part due to his wise counsel, I felt God lead me to deemphasize apologetics and instead focus most (oftentimes, all) of the sermon time on preaching to and teaching the saints — so I shifted focus.
I still occasionally bring in apologetics. It’s me, after all. But today, those who attend OBC are far more likely to hear a sermon completely free from apologetics than one with some apologetics sprinkled in.
This isn’t to say that apologetics in the pulpit is wrong. I just believe seasons and circumstances ebb and flow, and congregations shift and adjust in terms of their makeup and needs. And a pastor needs to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in terms of how he shifts and tacks accordingly.
Incorporating apologetics into a pastor’s pulpit ministry is something that’s overall beneficial and (I believe) necessary (at least at times). That said, it needs to be measured. Apologetics isn’t (and shouldn’t be) the main focus of the pastor (particularly on Sunday mornings). But it shouldn’t be ignored either.
Fifty years ago, the vast majority of people who came to church had few doubts about God’s existence and held general respect for the Bible (even if they were not living according to it).
Society has changed.
Today, biblical illiteracy is at an all-time high. Millennials and Gen Zers are the most unchurched generations in American history! And a lot of people come to church with many doubts about God’s existence, the Bible’s reliability, and whether Jesus rose from the dead. And quite often, these are the kids and grandkids of longtime church members!
Pastors now speak to multiple audiences (saved and unsaved, different backgrounds, different levels of biblical literacy, various doubts, etc., etc.) every Sunday morning (especially the “Big” Sundays like Easter and near Christmas).
So I think it is negligent for pastors not to incorporate apologetics — at least some of the time — into their sermons. But…
As I said…
It can create some confusion. Here’s an example of that confusion.
Very early into my ministry at Olney Baptist Church, one of the leaders of the church approached me and essentially asked why I doubted God’s existence – and would express those doubts from the pulpit.
I was flabbergasted.
I had no idea where this was coming from. In the course of the conversation, it became clear that this dear brother in Christ had completely misunderstood some of my rhetorical questions and (you might say) “Socratic” examples of hypothetical (and sometimes actual) conversations with atheists and skeptics.
For example, while teaching through the evidence of God’s existence, I would periodically use phrases like “If God is real, then…” And I would do this to walk people through logic. My intent was to show them that the logic of God’s existence is irrefutable, but I would “show my math.” (Remember math tests and quizzes when the teacher would ask you to show your work?). I would say things like…
“If God is real, then it makes sense He would reveal Himself to us, right?” People would nod. “Well, then, we have to look at the Bible which claims to be divine revelation. And we then have to look at the evidence…” And on from there.
Well, there are many churchgoing Christians not accustomed to that approach. They are not on that wavelength at all. They don’t “get” what apologists are trying to do. They see it as completely unnecessary and very confusing.
To this church leader, I was actually questioning God’s existence. But I wasn’t. I was simply explaining the logic of God’s existence — starting at Square One and walking people through the issues, step by step.
Paul does the same thing in I Corinthians 15. Read these words carefully…
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
I Corinthians 15:12-19, KJV
See the logical reasoning? If this, then that. If not this, then… And so forth. That’s apologetics. Paul does a lot of that throughout I Corinthians 15, including at the very beginning when he comments that there were hundreds of eyewitnesses who saw the risen Jesus.
Apologetics was the framework for Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill (see Acts 17), in Ephesus (see Acts 19), and well…I could keep going. Paul engaged in both theology and apologetics during his missionary journeys.
So if you’re a churchgoing Christian reading this and your pastor starts engaging in some apologetics from the pulpit…
Before you roll your eyes or complain, remember this: You are not the only person listening to your pastor. You may not need to hear about the evidence for God or for Jesus’ resurrection, but maybe your child or grandchild does! Or someone else’s child or grandchild. So, a little patience on your part — and some prayers for those listening — is called for.
Apologetics is a legitimate part of Christian evangelism and (I believe) church ministry. And more pastors need to be trained in it. But…
For those pastors planning to do so, consider the example in this article as a warning. Since your congregation no doubt includes people who aren’t at all familiar with apologetics, things can get confusing and frustrating for them very quickly. Be sure to patiently and carefully explain what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Something like…
“We of course know God is real. But I want to show you that, as we share our faith with others, we are standing on solid ground. Let me play out a hypothetical conversation you might have with an unbelieving relative or friend…”
That way, people will be (at least theoretically) less confused when you start trotting out your points of evidence. They’ll understand you’re not trying to convince them (or yourself) of God’s existence, but you’re trying to equip them to better share their faith with others.
And of course…
Whether you’re a pastor or a layperson…
Follow the Holy Spirit. We don’t need to do the Spirit’s work. We need to let the Spirit work through us. In some cases, apologetics is a useful tool that the Spirit may lead you to employ, but in other cases… not so much. Sometimes, we just need to share the word of God and get out of His way — as He does the work in people’s hearts.
God bless you!
