Igniting Faith Through Apologetics and Evangelism

When I was a student at Miami University, I took a communication class that required us to give a persuasive speech. I spent some time thinking through different topics I could choose.

I chose to speak on the question, “Who is Jesus?” My goal was to convince my audience that Jesus truly is who He claimed to be—the Son of God.

I began my research by reading Josh McDowell’s More Than a Carpenter. His line of reasoning—that Jesus must be either a liar, a lunatic or Lord—became the foundation and outline for my persuasive speech.

I didn’t know it at the time, but my talk was basic Christian apologetics. I was sharing logical reasoning with the class to prove that my faith was true.

What is Christian Apologetics?

The definition of apologetics is pretty simple: it’s a defense of the Christian faith. Apologetics is about supporting and explaining Christianity. Apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia (ἀπολογία_), which means “a defense” or “a reasoned argument.”

Some questions that apologetics seeks to answer are:

• Does God exist?
• Do all religions lead to the same god?
• If there is a god, how could he allow evil and suffering?
• Was Jesus a real historical figure?
• Did Jesus really rise from the dead?

The purpose of Christian apologetics is twofold

1. to provide skeptics with logical reasons for belief and address their questions. 
2. to equip believers with the knowledge to share their faith confidently. 

The Relationship Between Evangelism and Apologetics

So are apologetics and evangelism the same? Is apologetics a type of evangelism? Not exactly. What does evangelism have to do with apologetics? How do apologetics and evangelism overlap? While they aren’t the same thing, they certainly bolster one another.

Apologetics and evangelism are distinct yet complementary. The difference between evangelism and apologetics lies in their focus—one on sharing a crucial truth, the other on explaining and proving it. 

What is Evangelism?

Evangelism is spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. It involves inviting people to start a personal journey with Him. Read more on the definition of evangelism here.

In the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus urges Christian believers to tell the world about Him and disciple all nations. Acts 1:8 highlights how the  Holy Spirit empowers Christians like you and me for this mission.

Evangelism takes many forms. Personal evangelism involves one-on-one sharing of your faith journey. Mass evangelism brings together large groups to share the gospel on a larger scale, by using media for instance. 

At Jesus Film Project^®  we freely provide the JESUS film to help believers reach millions around the world with Jesus’ teachings. Meanwhile, we use digital evangelism and its online platforms to reach people online with the good news. 

Apologetics isn’t a type of evangelism, but it does provide an excellent foundation for evangelism. 

Apologetics and Evangelism as a Partnership

Apologetics supports evangelism by clearing doubts and answering questions, paving the way for the gospel message to be heard. This relationship between evangelism and apologetics is complementary.  To help grow your faith, visit this blog post on Bible verses on faith.

Apologetics resolves doubts, making evangelism more effective.

A common challenge to Christian apologetics is that it can sometimes come across as defensive. This approach may feel confrontational and seem at odds with the relational nature of evangelism. However, when done correctly, it is a bridge to faith, not a barrier. 

By thoughtfully addressing intellectual barriers to belief, we can create a more welcoming space where people feel free to ask questions and think deeply about faith. 

Campus preacher Keith Darrell, who is constantly involved in apologetic conversations with students on campus, would agree this approach is essential

Cru also offers a great article on why apologetic evangelism is necessary on campuses today.

Apologetics strengthen the conviction of existing believers and provide compelling reasons for those outside the faith to consider the claims of Christianity. Ultimately, when apologetics and evangelism work hand-in-hand, people can understand the gospel deeply. 

Christian Apologists Throughout History

Historically, key Christian figures, who we call Christian apologists, used their philosophical and cultural contexts to defend Christian teachings. 

The First Apologist: Justin Martyr

Justin Martyr  was born in 100AD to a pagan family. This was a family that didn’t believe in one true God and valued philosophy more than faith in the Divine. He studied pagan philosophies like Platonism and Stoicism but became a Christian in 132. He was among the first to make a defense of the Christian faith through apologetics.

Martyr wrote two Apologies supporting the truth of Christianity. He starts with a focus on Christian philosophy. He says that both Christianity and Plato’s philosophy aim for a perfect, unchanging God. Because of this, expressing the Christian faith through reason shows that it agrees with logical thought. He also asserts that the purpose of Christ’s coming was to bring truth to the world.

Over time, apologetics has changed, with religious philosophers like Blaise Pascal and writers like C.S. Lewis making significant contributions. 

Pascal’s Wager

Blaise Pascal is known for “Pascal’s Wager,” which uses logic to encourage belief in God.

Here’s the basic idea:

• If you believe in God and He exists, you gain everything in the way of eternal life with Him.
• If you believe in God and He doesn’t exist, you lose nothing of real value.
• If you don’t believe in God and He exists, you lose everything—eternal separation from Him.
• If you don’t believe in God and He doesn’t exist, you gain nothing.
  

So, Pascal concluded that it’s wiser to “bet” on God’s existence since the potential gain (eternal life) far outweighs any possible loss.

I have used this argument while doing evangelism on campus at Auckland University. It has helped to use this type of logic with philosophy students who enjoy intellectual discussions. I was able to present that it is the safer option to believe in a God than not, as the benefits of believing “outweigh” the risks of not believing.

C.S. Lewis Apologetics Claims

C.S. Lewis made logical cases for the existence of God. I can sum up his explanations, but you can dive further into these by reading the books of C.S. Lewis. 

The following are C.S. Lewis’ main apologetics points:

1. Humans feel a deep longing that nothing in this world can satisfy. Lewis concluded that this desire points to the existence of God, the only one who can truly fulfill it. (Argument from desire)
2. If the universe were only made of matter (meaning it’s made up of only what we see physically), our thoughts would just be the result of chemical reactions. In that case, we’d have no real reason to trust our own thinking as true or logical. Since we can reason reliably, Lewis argued that this points to something beyond the material world — a rational God who created minds capable of real thought and truth. (Argument from reason)
3. Our universal sense of right and wrong points to a moral law that exists beyond human opinion. Since moral laws require a moral lawgiver, Lewis concluded that this points to the existence of God as the source of our moral awareness. (Moral argument)
4. Jesus said he was the son of God. Either he was lying about that, or he was deluded. With either of those being the case, no one could say he was a good teacher. The only other option is that he is who he said he is: Lord. (This is the perspective I presented in my classroom at Miami—the trilemma argument.)
5. The existence of evil and suffering in the world points to the need for a higher, perfectly good standard. He argued that recognizing evil as real and wrong implies a moral law beyond humans, which in turn points to a good and just God who defines and judges right and wrong. (Argument concerning the problem of evil)

Today, figures like William Lane Craig and Lee Strobel continue to make content about apologetics accessible and attractive to modern audiences. By understanding Christian apologetics, we can enhance our evangelism efforts with logical evidence. Apologetics and evangelism work together.

Kalam Cosmological Argument

William Lane Craig has adopted and popularized the Kalam cosmological evidence, which consists of these three points:

• Everything that begins to exist has a cause.
• The universe began to exist.
• Therefore, the universe has a cause.

Through Kalam cosmological evidence, apologists argue that if the universe has a cause, then someone (a divine being like God) would have to be behind that cause, or even set it in motion. Therefore, God exists.

Lee Strobel’s Apologetics Books

In his series of investigative books, Lee Strobel applies his background as a journalist and legal editor to examine the evidence for Christianity from historical, philosophical, and scientific perspectives. Each book explores a different aspect of faith:

Here are a few of Lee Strobel’s books on Christian apologetics: 

• The Case for Christ (1998) Strobel investigates the historical reliability of the Gospels. He concludes that the evidence for Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection stands up against scrutiny.
• The Case for Faith (2000) He tackles the toughest objections to Christianity, such as the problem of evil and doubt. Strobel argues that faith in God is both rational and emotionally satisfying, even in the face of suffering.
• The Case for Easter (2004) Strobel focuses specifically on the resurrection of Jesus. He presents historical and medical evidence that supports the resurrection as the cornerstone of Christian belief.
• The Case for a Creator (2004) He examines scientific discoveries in cosmology (the study of origin—did the universe have a beginning?), biology and physics. Strobel argues that the findings point to an intelligent designer behind the universe.

Practical Tips for Integrating Apologetics in Evangelism

When engaging in evangelism, it’s essential to be ready to address questions about faith. 1 Peter 3:15 encourages us to always have an answer ready for the faith that we have. Below are a few practical tips you can use to ensure you can do just that.

Understand common objections

Throughout my years in campus ministry, I have encountered many objections to the Christian faith. I would venture to say that these are the top three:

1. If there is evil in the world, how can there be a loving God? The problem of evil is a barrier for some to believe the gospel. 
2. Another barrier is biblical accuracy. How can we know that what the Bible says is true?
3. The third barrier is the exclusivity of Jesus. If Jesus is the only way, what about those people who haven’t heard about him?

When approaching apologetics, be sure to do plenty of research around these topics so you can be prepared to answer these common objections. 

Listen well

Effective evangelism values respectful dialogue. Approach conversations with empathy, recognizing that everyone’s faith journey is unique. Listen actively and respond without judgment. This fosters a helpful environment when exploring spiritual questions.

Sometimes people just want to argue. They aren’t open to any of the answers you might offer them. Other times, people have a genuine interest in hearing more about faith in Christ. We can only understand what someone wants from the conversation by listening well to them. 

I have engaged in conversation with students on campuses who are just up for a fight. There is a great question I have asked to get to the heart of whether someone is truly interested in faith. “If I could answer your top three objections to the Christian faith, would you give your life to Jesus?” If the person says no, maybe they are only in this conversation for the thrill of the debate.

Offer answers

As we share answers to common objections, we always want to be respectful, kind and vulnerable. Sometimes it is actually helpful to state that we don’t have all the answers. 

1. On the problem of evil. A potential answer for this (why does God allow evil to exist in the world?) could be that God created us with free will. We can all make choices. Some choose evil. This answer isn’t complete, however. Because there are other types of evil, like cancer, which isn’t caused by choice. Could it be that God has a purpose for evil in the world? Maybe it’s to draw us closer to Him in suffering (Psalm 34:8, Isaiah 43:2, Hebrews 4:16). He is our greatest help and source of comfort. Evil in the world also shows humanity’s need for Jesus’ perfect, redeeming sacrifice. 
2. On biblical accuracy. The Bible was written by 40 different authors over a span of 1,500 years. It was written by kings, prophets, fishermen and others, yet it shares a unified message throughout. 
3. What about people who have never heard the message of Jesus? This question often comes up when discussing the exclusivity of Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” But how does that apply to those who have never heard of Him? 

When I respond to this question, I like to share a personal story from my own experience.

While riding a bus in a rural part of Mexico, I met a young boy who shared his story of meeting Jesus. He told me about a dream he had of a man dressed in white, holding a book in His hand. The boy told his mother about the dream and the mysterious book.

A few weeks later, a missionary visited their town to share about Christ. The moment the boy saw the Bible in the missionary’s hands, he excitedly told his mother, “That’s the book from my dream!”

The missionary then shared the message of Jesus with them, and both mother and son gave their hearts to Christ. Through a dream, God had already begun revealing Himself to their family. Sometimes God finds a way to make Himself known to those who might not otherwise hear.

Challenges in Balancing Apologetics and Evangelism

There are a few challenges to balancing Christian apologetics and evangelism. 

1. One such challenge is addressing misconceptions about the purpose of apologetics. We aren’t trying to “argue someone into heaven” through apologetics. We are hoping to present a logical defense of our faith to skeptics or doubters, paving the way for effective evangelism.
2. Another challenge? We don’t want to overemphasize one discipline over the other. Apologetics focuses on rational explanations, while evangelism shares the gospel message. An imbalance can lead to debates or overlooking people’s doubts. Balancing both ensures a holistic approach to sharing our faith.
3. The last challenge is a lack of confidence. Many Christians feel hesitant to defend their faith. But building up our courage in this area is crucial. And it starts by growing in our knowledge and understanding of apologetics. This will help us to engage in faith conversations confidently.

Ultimately, always keep in mind that we aren’t trying to win an argument with someone. We are trying to win a soul for God’s kingdom. Only God can change a person’s heart. We can bring a message of logical faith. But it isn’t up to us to win souls for Jesus. The Holy Spirit will do that.

Further Resources and Learning Opportunities

To deepen your understanding of Christian apologetics and evangelism, explore these additional resources.

• The C.S. Lewis Institute offers an online apologetics course for Christians.
• Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron have fantastic apologetics articles.
• Tim Keller offers a blog on the gospel and apologetics.
• Francis Schaeffer books have Christian apologetics built in.

Engage with these resources to further your journey, strengthening your ability to share your faith effectively and confidently through apologetics.

Where Do You Stand?

Some Christians are especially skilled at sharing the gospel through this kind of reasoning, using apologetics. But it’s not necessarily for everyone.

My husband, Aaron, knows the different arguments for God’s existence and uses them naturally in conversations with neighbors, friends and family. I can never seem to remember all of these points on the spot! I enjoy learning about Christian apologetics, but I tend to connect with people more on an emotional level when I talk about faith.

That’s what makes us a great team! He shares the logical and thoughtful points, while I connect with people on a personal level. Together, we’re able to share our faith more effectively.

Some of you will be able to remember all of these Christian apologetics. Others may have to refer to websites or books to recall all of the info. Either way, continue learning about apologetics. It will help you in your evangelistic efforts.