LIBERTY UNIVERSITY JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
The Christian Apologetics Mandate
A Paper Submitted to
the Faculty of the School of Divinity
in Candidacy for the Degree of
Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (Ed. D) Department of Christian Leadership and
Church Ministries
By
Mary Gracias
Lynchburg, Virginia
5/2022
The Christian Apologetics Mandate
The Greek word apologia (Greek: ἀπολογία) is the root for the English term “apologetics.”
Apologia and its root forms are found in the New Testament (Acts 26:2; Romans 1:20;
Philippians 1:7, 16), with 1 Peter 3:15 revealing the mandate imploring Christians to be ready to
explain and defend their faith. Throughout Christian history, apologetics became known as the
enterprise by which apologists sought to give a reasoned defense of the truth of Christianity.
Today, Christian apologetics involves the use of various disciplines to defend the faith, including
the biblical, doctrinal, philosophical, historical, literary, and scientific fields.
In more technical terms, apologetics is a branch of Christian theology that seeks to provide
rational justification for the truth claims of Christianity.1 For 20 centuries, Christian scholars and
leaders have engaged in a fourfold defense of the faith by (1) presenting and clarifying the
central truth claims of Christianity, (2) offering clear and compelling positive evidence for
accepting Christian truth, (3) answering people’s questions and objections concerning the faith,
and (4) providing a penetrating critique and refutation of alternative non-Christian systems of
thought.2
This type of apologetic endeavor remains as important today as at any time in Christian
history. And it is imperative that believers look to Scripture and church history to instruct them
in the performance of this critical task. Fortunately, the apostle Peter—the central preacher in
the primitive Christian church—offers such guidance in his first epistle.
Since 1 Peter 3:15 contains the official New Testament order or commission to do
apologetics, let’s cite the passage and explore its meaning in some detail.
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 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.
–1 Peter 3:15, NIV
Rules of Apologetic Engagement
In Peter’s words, we discover four points that provide a context for apologetic engagement
and that honor God and instruct the apologist.
1. Courage in Suffering
The backdrop of Peter’s admonition in verse 15 is the topic of suffering (see verses 13–14
and 16–17). In the apostolic age as well as for virtually three centuries following, a defense of
the Christian faith would often occur under hostile interrogation (see, for example, Acts 25:16).
Since Christianity was an illegal and politically controversial religion in the Roman Empire, the
early Christians suffered through periods of great persecution and even martyrdom. Apologetic
work in the early church (as today in totalitarian and Islamic-ruled countries) took great moral
and physical courage.
2. Christ’s Lordship
Peter instructs believers that at the core of their being (Greek: kardia, the “heart”), where
people form their most essential beliefs, they should acknowledge the Lordship of Christ.
Calling Jesus “Lord” (Greek: Kyrios) in this context is equivalent to referring to him as Yahweh
(ruler, king, and God).3 Christians can engage in the apologetic enterprise with the full
assurance that Christ is the exclusive, sovereign ruler over all things (Matthew 28:18). Facing
suffering, trial, and hostile interrogation with the conviction that Christ is in sovereign control
serves to grant the believer peace and confidence.
3. A Reasoned Defense
To provide the proper rational justification for the Christian faith and worldview today
demands rigorous intellectual preparation. It presupposes an in-depth knowledge of the faith
and the ability to answer questions and rebut objections. Peter sets forth the idea that the
Christian faith has a rational foundation worth defending. Yet one does not need to be a
professional to become an effective apologist.
4. Gentleness and Respect
When it comes to rational persuasion, the advocate’s attitude and demeanor often carry as
much weight as his or her arguments. People measure the credibility of one’s beliefs often by
how they are communicated. Cogent arguments conveyed with an air of arrogance and
disrespect will be drained of their apologetic potency. But apologetic responses that reflect a
calm, measured approach and tone signify a quality consistent with the conviction that it is God
(the Holy Spirit) alone who makes the human heart and mind receptive to the gospel (Acts
16:14; 1 Corinthians 12:3).
The apostle goes on to speak of the importance of joining one’s rational defense with the
virtue of moral transparency (“keeping a clear conscience,” verse 16). The effective apologist
seeks to integrate the witness of one’s life with one’s words. A reasoned and winsome
apologetic case possesses great force in conveying the message that historic Christianity is
rational, viable, and true.
Endnotes
1. William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway, 1994), xi.
2. See Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith
Questions(Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2004), 255–59.
3. F. Bruce, Jesus: Lord and Savior(Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1986), 203.
