What Is Apologetics? (And Why You Should Learn It)

How to support us: / standardizedapologetics
(You can also help this ministry financially just by purchasing any of the books through the links below. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you!)
Apologetics is the Christian practice of providing a logical defense of the faith. But what does it mean to "defend the faith" and is apologetics for every believer? Join us as we dive into what apologetics is, how it relates to evangelism, and why it is important.
Books:
"On Guard" by William Lane Craig.
Link: amzn.to/2zeu5rs
"The Universe Next Door" by James W. Sire.
Link: amzn.to/36tyrab
"The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller.
Link: amzn.to/2LRlxcx
"Mere Apologetics" by Alister E. McGrath.
Link: amzn.to/2LSyiDS
"Tactics" by Gregory Koukl.
Link: amzn.to/2zXcKDo
Music:
"Documentary Piano" by AShamaluev.
Link: • Video

[@rejitvm9490]

I have a burning passion for apologetics study so as to build up rich knowledge which could ultimately withstand among the worldviews defending my faith

[@eli--t]

I wanted to study, reflect on this and I thought this might be helpful to others as well so I did a transcription of the video : Why You Should Learn Apologetics "Apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia, which means a defense, as in a court of law. Christian apologetics involves making a case for the truth of the Christian faith." ~William Lane Craig, "On Guard" (Pg.13) "I am convinced that for any one of us to be fully conscious intellectually we should not only be able to detect the worldviews of others but be aware of our own - why it is ours and why, in light of so many options, we think it is true." ~ James W. Sire, "The Universe Next Door" (Pg.12) "I urge skeptics to wrestle with the unexamined 'blind faith' on which skepticism is based, and to see how hard it is to justify those beliefs to those who do not share them. I also urge believers to wrestle with their personal and culture's objections to their faith. At the end of each process, even if you remain the skepticism or believer you have been, you will hold your own position with both greater clarity and greater humility. There will be an understanding, sympathy, and respect for the other side that did not exist before." ~Timothy Keller, "The Reason for God" (Pg.xix) Connection is the main purpose of apologetics. For the Christian, this means connection with God and with each other. If connection is the goal, then the means is love. As important as examining our beliefs is, if we fail to love, we will fail in every other regard. 1 Peter 3:15 is the backbone verse of apologetics: "But in your hearts revere 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." This verse encapsulates every important aspect of Christian apologetics. Reverence for Christ as Lord is an essential prerequisite for building connection with others. Being prepared to give an answer means anticipating difficult questions and objections and being willing to engage with opposition. Lastly, this engagement must be gentle and respectful. As United States President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Apologetics strengthens the believer by replacing a shallow, "blind-faith" with a robust and confident assurance that translates into every aspect of their lives. This assurance plays a pivotal role in evangelism and the shaping of culture. With so many Christians afraid to share their convictions, and a second wind of opposing worldviews taking hold of the culture, it is now more important than ever that the church engage in apologetic ministry. Apologetics is a powerful tool for getting one's foot in the door to conversations about worldview. At the end of Christ's earthly ministry, He commanded his followers to spread his gospel (the Christian worldview) to the ends of the earth. "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." ~Matthew 28:19-20 Religion is the most categorically divisive topic to possibly engage with. A productive conversation about religion or worldviews requires humility, patience, respect, and a sufficient amount of rhetorical skill from each party involved. If these elements are missing, conversations turns to heated debate, valid arguments turn to insults, and peace becomes impossible. Because of this, many people in today's culture tend to steer clear of any kind of discussion on religion, for fear of starting a fight. This has made the single most important topic that could be discussed taboo. This taboo has not only halted discussion on religious ideas but has altogether undermined how we think about our own worldviews. If discussion and honest inquiry are suppressed, we will either sort through the issues alone, or dismiss them altogether. The failure to live what plato called, "the examined life" may have devastating consequences that reach for into eternity. At the least, we will miss the opportunity to live our lives as abundantly as possible. To a culture that has abandoned the quest for ultimate truth and embraced individualism and postmodern thought, the one who lives the examined life stands out as a beacon of inspiration and hope. To study worldviews is to enrich your charachter, transform your demeanor, deepen your appreciation, guide your actions, strengthen your resolve, humble your approach, and connect with others in the most meaningful way possible. Although our culture still avoids divisive topics, the one who lives the examined life will discover how to not only engage in peaceful discussion, but those surrounding them will be drawn in by a depth and honesty that everyone craves. Apologetics is not about forcing your opponents into intellectual submission. It is about inspiring imagination, lifting others out of intellectual slumber, and revealing the depth of life and God. Similar to evangelism, apologetics seeks to lead people into relationship with God, but there is a distinction. If evengelism is planting and reaping, then apologetics is tilling the soil. "the dividing line between apologetics and evangelism is fuzzy; making a distinction between them, however, is helpful. Apologetics is conversational, where evangelism is invitational. While an apologetic conversation about the Christian faith can easily lead into an invitation to faith, it is much more concerned with removing misunderstandings, explaining ideas, and exploring the personal relevance of faith. Apologetics is about persuading people that there is a door to another world - a door that perhaps they never realized existed. Evangelism is about helping people to open that door and enter into the new world that lies beyond." ~Alister E. McGrath, "mere Apologetics" (PG.22) Aven though apologetics has experineced a resurgence in the last few decades, the discipline originates in scripture and has been developed throughout the centuries since. There is a diverse and nuanced variety of approaches to apologetic thought and methodology. Apologetics can be classical, evidential, presuppositional, reformed epistemological, expository, cumulative case, or otherwise. Ultimately, what matters most is noth the methodology of the approach, but the faithfulness to Christ and the effectiveness in leading others to him. In an age of atheism, postmodernism, and new age spirituality, it is now more important than ever for Christians to understand and utilize apologetics. This doesn't mean every Christian needs to be an expert philosopher or scientist. Apologetics is often portrayed as an unattainable, intellectual pursuit. But in reality, most Christians have the capacity to learn various arguments and rhetoric that encourage and strenghten evangelism. Of course, this doesn't happen over night. In the same way that learning theology takes time and effort, so will apologetics. But the value of these skills cannot be overslated. Apologetics is transformative, not only to our defense, but to our walk with God. "Take your time, do your homework, think through the issues. ...There is an art to this process, and learning any craft takes time and a little focused effort." ~Gregory Koukl, "tactics", (Pg.28) "But in your hearts revere 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

[@valerieadams7001]

Thank you

[@invokingtheism]

I made a video similar to this one. Thanks for sharing your insight!

[@yoalisaac7363]

Wonderful job. Keep up the great work, brother. May Our Jesus bless you and your ministry.

[@daruscole1586]

Praise God! It is great and important that we know these things and not be afraid to discuss them but with prayer and reasonable caution, gentleness and respect.

[@Peace-wm7vc]

What a great video, well packaged! Thank you for making this video, it’s been helpful to me

[@darcynoble6279]

Thank you for sharing. This really helped me. 💞

[@ericamulondo210]

Very well explained! Beautiful, inspiring, inviting - Thank you

[@kathleencook3060]

I was introduced to Apologetics during the last two years of my High School., during the late 50' early 60s. It was one of the most important influences in both my Scholarly life as well as maintaining the Faith. It has become much more difficult to "engage" with people as it is difficult to keep warding off Attacks on Christianity rather than any attempt " to connect " Still it is still important to attempt to keep Connecting as a way of understanding what so guides the thinking our fellow citizens.

[@user-ib5iv9ey1i]

❤

[@israelgonzalez3619]

Thank you brother let's learn God bless

[@robinsonraju6820]

Great Work Good Observation on the topic

[@dansmith6631]

God Bless. This Is Beautiful

[@markmikhaeel]

Well done. God bless you🙂

[@andrewpalisoc4697]

Great video, I will use this in apologetics for beginners class in our church. Hope you are doing ok this pandemic. Subscribing now!...

[@user-ni1tf2ng8i]

Thank you.

[@thewayapologetics]

Amazing video. Very informative:)

[@smartindian4899]

Great ! I am impressed with your video.Please make videos like this 🙏

[@nog4273]

ho could u trade the bhagavad gita for this hare braned nonsense? Maybe not so smart huh..

[@nickbrasing8786]

To me, apologetics should also include a class on being comfortable saying "I don't know". To often I hear denials in the face of facts, even when it comes to the Bible. Rather than just saying "I don't know, but God must", is a much better answer to many questions than lying. And I hear that to often these days. Lying that is.

[@1Skeptik1]

How fortunate we are to be not only Christian but just the right Christian. Like you I was born at just the right time, to just the right parents who sent me to just the right Sunday School to learn about the one and only true GOD and his son Jesus. Halleluiah, we are the elect and favored by GOD while countless billions past and present are Hell bound and duped for profit and favor.

[@snigdharanijena7929]

Nice video. God bless you

[@truthtvproductions9947]

beautifully explained it is very useful for me I learned a lot about apologetics love from india

[@nicholastunji4881]

I will join soon by God's grace

[@befkotze]

"Apologetics strengthens the believer by replacing a shallow, 'blind-faith' with a robust and confident assurance that translates into every aspect of their lives." Can a Muslim or a Hindu who just has "blind-faith" study apologetics for their religions and arrive at a robust and confident assurance that their religion is true? That is to say, can someone who believes something only on faith, study apologetics and now be convinced of having evidence and reason for their belief, even if that belief is false?

[@StandardizedApologetics]

I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you simply asking if people can be mistaken or something else?

[@lookoi9363]

How do u know their world view is wrong?u read the fundamental texts of your own faith in the original language first.then do the same for other cultures and their belief systems.judging requires deep scholarship and profound contemplation

[@built4speed101]

The real factors will be located in these 3 things: 1. Battle of the Gods 2. Battle of the Prophets 3. Battle of the Books Truth verses the paganistic worldview

[@thewayapologetics]

This video is amazing. God bless your ministry brother ❤🙏😊

[@Nightwacther203]

Amen

[@savedbymylovegodthelordjes8394]

praise the only true living LORD and GOD bless you all glory be to the HOLY TRINITY forever and ever amen 💖✝️✝️✝️

[@LennyKant]

Best Video, even in 2020.

[@StandardizedApologetics]

Thanks!!

[@takingoutthetrash3781]

I strongly agree

[@frankson4069]

Dope

[@stuckmannen3876]

👍

[@tknciliba4743]

Apologetics is Life. You yourself in your walk of faith will question yourself. Ask enough ppl, you will receive your answer. We are not to be shaken. Apologetics will shake you till you are unshakeable. The Best people to engage with are Atheists, they will taunt you like you would not believe. Jeff Allen-comedian was once an atheist. He put it like this atheists are like teenage children, they know everything don't need parents, until they need new shoes 😂😂. The others are Catholics, be wary of them. They practice traditions of men not of any biblical content e. G praying to Mary & saints. For them Jesus is not enough. They have eloquently allowed idol worship in their churches. Peace & truth Always ❤❤❤

[@11kravitzn]

One small comment: the video would be easier to watch if the music wasn't so loud relative to your voice.

[@huianhkamun4549]

Dreaming

[@Joe-bx4wn]

I'm a Catholic. But in these last days,Satan hates us both. Hence If I'm in the Army,you are the Marines. Godspeed your defense of Christ.

[@rianeuton1251]

"if evangelism is reaping and planting, apologetics is tilling the soil"

[@ronaldcordaamaran7955]

Audio please playback please

[@truthseekerandprovidemedia614]

Hello Sir. i'm from india. i'm an ex hindu. i came to know Jesus Christ two years ago. now I'm Jesus Christ fellower/ Christian. your video is Spiritually encouraged and motivated. can i ask you small thing sir, have you Baptised in Holy Spirit? i was just asking.

[@DesGardius-me7gf]

“Why should we turn to someone other than historians or scientists, the experts in their related fields of research, for answers related to history or science? Apologists are just there to take advantage of you, telling you what you want to hear when the evidence tells you otherwise. The sheer existence of apologists is reason alone to raise suspicion. Their dishonesty is blatant when you simply double check what they say. In the end, historians and scientists are not just one big conspiracy against Jesus, the Bible is simply wrong about most things.” -Joseph R. Hanson

[@rejitvm9490]

No intellectual reasoning gives a coherent answer in terms of history or science,therefore it’s reasoning should be tossed away

[@neargrog685]

I don’t know how to classify my belief/theory. It’s not Christian or Atheist or Agnostic. I believe God created the Big Bang, and that was last thing he ever did in our universe. As a result of the Big Bang I believe evolution created the world we live in today. I believe that everything surrounding religion, churches, a higher power that watches over us, etc is a coping mechanism for certain individuals.

[@StandardizedApologetics]

The view you described is sometimes referred to as "deism." Personally, I think more highly of deism than atheism. I find it hard to believe that God would create the universe and leave it to its own devices (as an artist, this is especially hard for me to believe). I can't imagine why God would even create it in the first place. Another reason I prefer Theism is that the moral argument for God's existence implies that God cares for the creatures he has created. Lastly, the evidence surrounding Jesus of Nazareth isn't explained by Deism alone. Your idea that God "left it alone" after creating it, is strictly Deism. Your thoughts on the big bang, evolution, and the fact that some people use God as a coping mechanism are not exclusive to any particular worldview but all possible within Christianity.

[@neargrog685]

Standardized Apologetics thanks for that

[@peggyharris3815]

The background music is too loud; it distracts from content.

[@StandardizedApologetics]

Noted, thank you for the feedback.

[@therabbithat]

If all the different religions can use apologetics to justify their faith and know they are right then.. well then isn't polytheism the only natural conclusion?

[@tomcampbell8885]

Nope

[@kingofthemultiverse4148]

I think we've got this whole "Apologetics" thing quite wrong, there is this "militant" or combative form of Apologetics that is dangerous and that I disagree with, there isn't even such a thing as an "apologist" in the Bible, Ephesians 4:11-12 says *"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up"* where are "apologists" here? Of course 1 Peter 3:15 does say to "always be prepared to give a (verbal) defence ( Apologian in Greek) to anyone who asks us for the reason for the hope that is in us", but it's NOT specific to "apologists" it is for ALL Christians in general and the purpose of it is to give them an opening to share the Gospe, so the more accurate term would be "evangelism" instead of "apologetics", and this kind of militant "apologetics" is also being misapplied and misdirected, what I mean is "apologetics" should be conditional since 1 Peter 3:15 says tgat we are to give a defence ONLY IF somone "asks us" and not to deliberately go into war with just about any non-christian who doesn't even care and just wants to debate, that's why I also don't believe in street preaching or door-to-door missionary services, as a result of this we attract the wrong kind of people like the athiests and other critics who come to Christian videos only to bash Christianity and poison the place, when they're not even welcome or needed, Christianity is not for them, but if someone is ASKING us, it means the Holy Spirit is convicting and drawing them, "apologetics" should only be for GENUINE skeptics not for critics, there's a difference between a "skeptic" and a "critic" a skeptic is somone who is seeking genuine answers to questions, they're still seekers, whereas a critic is someone who is already CONVINCED in thier minds that Christianity is false such as Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Cosmicskeptic etc. they have already arrived at a conclusion, so we needn't give them any attention, don't even watch thier videos, we need to focus more on THE CHURCH, rectifying and edifying CHRISTIANS, we need to focus more on our spiritual growth by fasting, prayer, worship and meditating on the word, also we often leave out the most important part of 1 peter 3:15 *"but respond with gentleness and respect"*

[@valroniclehre193]

You should learn apologetics to see just how to retain your religious faith in the face of the fact that its wrong. At no point in this presentation is the idea that faith submits to evident reality.

[@LM-jz9vh]

"When we say…Jesus Christ…was produced without sexual union, and was crucified and died, and rose again, and ascended to heaven, ***we propound nothing new or different*** *from what you believe regarding those whom you call Sons of God. [In fact]…if anybody objects that [Jesus] was crucified, this is in* ***common*** *with the sons of Zeus (as you call them) who suffered, as previously listed [he listed Dionysus, Hercules, and Asclepius].* Since their fatal sufferings are all narrated as not similar but different, so his unique passion should not seem to be any worse." *Note how Justin (Martyr) is less of a fool than modern Christian apologists. He admits that differences don’t matter.* Since each and every one of the suffering and dying gods are slain by different means, one cannot argue the mytheme requires exactly the same means of death. “But Osiris can’t have inspired the Jesus myth because Osiris wasn’t nailed to a cross” is a stupid argument. The mytheme is simply death. Being killed. Suffering and dying. The exact mode of death can vary freely. It makes no difference to the existence and influence of the mytheme. It’s simply the particular instantiation of a generic abstraction. *And Justin’s argument (that Satan invented these fake religions to confuse people) entails Justin agreed the mytheme existed: indeed, it was demonically promulgated, multiple times. Intentionally.* *Likewise, Justin notices the mytheme is not virgin birth, but sexless conception. Of which many examples had already been popularized in pagan mythology (there just happens to also have been examples of actual virgin born gods as well). And by his argument (that the Devil was deliberately emulating the Jesus mytheme, in advance), Justin clearly accepted the same principle for “rising again” after death:* the particular exact metaphysics of the resurrection could, like the exact method of death or conception, vary freely. The mytheme consists solely of the abstraction: returning to life. Somehow. Some way. We will say bodily, at the very least. But what sort of body (the same one, a new one, a mortal one, an immortal one), didn’t matter. *If it had, Justin would have made the argument that “those gods” weren’t really resurrected. But that argument, never occurs to him. Nor did it to any other apologist of the first three centuries.* *Ancient Christians well knew there was nothing new about their dying-and-rising god. Not in respect to the mytheme.* Their claims were solely that his particular instantiation of it was better, and the only one that actually happened. *They didn’t make up the stupid modern arguments that dying-and-rising god myths didn’t exist or weren’t part of a common mytheme everyone knew about. For example, in the same century, Tertullian, in Prescription against Heretics 40, makes exactly the same argument as Justin. Funny that. They had better access to the evidence than we do. They knew what was really and widely the case. We should listen to them.* Google *"Dying-and-Rising Gods: It's Pagan, Guys. Get Over It. • Richard Carrier"* ------------------------------------------------------------------ Google *"Ehrman Errs: Yes, Bart, There Were Dying & Rising Gods - atheologica"* Watch *"Dying & Rising Gods: A Response to William Lane Craig"* by Derreck Bennett at Atheologica. Watch *"Asclepius: The Pre-Christian Healer & Savior"* by Derreck Bennett at Atheologica Google *"Virgin Birth: It's Pagan, Guys. Get Over It. • Richard Carrier"* Google *"5 Pagan Parallels to Jesus That Actually Aren’t Bullshit - Atheomedy"* Google *"Christian Apologetics: The Art of Deceit - Atheomedy"* Google *"Defending the Resurrection: It’s Easy if You Lie! - Atheomedy"* Google *"Majority of Scholars agree: The Gospels were not written by Eyewitnesses - Escaping Christian Fundamentalism"* A good site written by an actual Biblical scholar. Google *"Contradictions in the Bible | Identified verse by verse and explained using the most up-to-date scholarly information about the Bible, its texts, and the men who wrote them -- by Dr. Steven DiMattei"* Google *"How do we know that the biblical writers were* ***not*** *writing history? -- by Dr Steven DiMattei"* Also: Google *"How Did The Gospel Writers Know? - The Doston Jones Blog"* Google *"Yes, the Four Gospels Were Originally Anonymous: Part 1 - The Doston Jones Blog"* Google *"Gospels Not Written By Matthew, Mark, Luke or John - The Church Of Truth"*

[@debragordon5989]

I don't need apologetics to teach me the holy spirit is my teacher Jesus said that the holy spirit will teach you all thing

[@StandardizedApologetics]

I don't need you to teach me anything, Debra. I have the Holy Spirit as my teacher...

[@Peace-wm7vc]

Ignorance can be likened to disability at times, it’s incurable 😱😱I’m just wondering how you find yourself on this video Debra, to look for a place to expose your ignorance 😂😂😂

[@niccolopaganini1782]

@@Peace-wm7vc atleast don't be rude

[@truthseekerandprovidemedia614]

@@niccolopaganini1782 you mean debora? or peace?

[@timeshark8727]

_"What Is Apologetics?"_ - *Simple, in religious connotations, its lying for your beliefs.* lol, not really. The actual definition is: reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine. It just so happens that many/most religious apologists base what they say on lies and misrepresentations, which gives the entire idea a bad name. Its very much like politics that way. _"And Why You Should Learn It"_ - *This part is easy. Everyone should learn as much about all sides of an issue they are interested in as possible, that includes looking at both the standard arguments and criticisms of all sides. Sadly, many theist apologists seem to think that knowing their side and a caricature of the opposing side is enough. This severely weakens any arguments they try to make when talking to the opposing side, but doesn't harm their standing with many on their side who are equally limited in scope. This is most obvious in the creation vs evolution "debate" where creationists tend to base their arguments, not on the theory of evolution, but rather on a series of strawman arguments and claims that they pretend come from evolution. The apologists relying on this flawed representation come off as ignorant fools who are raging against an imagined boogeyman, and are instantly dismissed with a mixture of amusement and pity... don't be this sort of apologist, if you want to argue your case make sure to know the **_actual_** arguments of both sides and address those instead of creating strawmen to bat around.*

[@MrEvolving1]

I think I will pass on all of this mumbo jumbo

[@lizparker9090]

Not here for music crap. BYE

[@oddoutdoors]

Apologetics is the lies religious people tell. You should learn them so you can not believe them. There, I saved you 9 minutes.

[@MinLeeMajors]

Nice assertion 😊... anyone can say ANYTHING. TRUTH is supported by facts tho.

[@oddoutdoors]

@@MinLeeMajors can you prove that your god exists? No. What is apologetics? An attempt to prove God exists. You can not prove the existence of God therefore saying you can is a lie.

[@GARYWERSLEY]

Christianity is a nonsense.. the concept of a personal God as changeless and infinite are unpsychological and what is worse, unphilosophical.. an immuttable God cannot at one time LOVE, and another be in a Rathful Hate.. immuttable cannot fluctuate.. to say otherwise is a nonsense..

[@mitchelll3879]

First of all, let's get you some help with your spelling before you try understanding anything more complex 🙂

[@GARYWERSLEY]

@@mitchelll3879 ..Mitch.. spllin dont really mattr. a bit like accents, probly, just as long as you know what I mean.. the point is that an immutable God cannot be Jealous, get angry, wrathful, or even hate some, love others. cannot chose one nation over others, or even one man above others. immutable cannot fluctuate.. cannot change.. Moses Jealous God does not exist, neither does Allah, HighGod of the ancient pagan Arabic pantheon.. belief in these Gods is delusional.

[@tonycharles3566]

Apologetics = lying for Yahweh

[@spiritualjen777]

Bible has contradictions

[@powerailgaming3849]

Great examples lmfao 🤣

[@spiritualjen777]

“Laughing my fucking ass off?”Are you sure you’re a Christian?

[@truthseekerandprovidemedia614]

@@spiritualjen777 what contradiction you see?

[@truthseekerandprovidemedia614]

@@spiritualjen777 Are you disbeliveing God because of scientific reason?

[@spiritualjen777]

@@truthseekerandprovidemedia614 If you consider logic science, then that is why I’m not a Christian.