Apologetica — Week 1

What Is
Apologetics?

Definitions, Classifications & Methodologies

Part 1 — Defining Apologetics

The Word Itself

apologia (ἀπολογία) = “a reasoned defense”

Origin: Legal term from ancient Greek courts — the defendant’s speech
Not “apologizing” for being a Christian

The Foundation

“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

Three Elements of 1 Peter 3:15

Worship · Readiness · Character

Worship

“Revere Christ as Lord”

Apologetics flows from devotion to God

Readiness

“Be prepared to give an answer”

It requires study and preparation

Character

“With gentleness and respect”

The manner matters as much as the message

The Biblical Basis

Apologetics Throughout Scripture

Jude 1:3 — “Contend for the faith”
2 Cor 10:5 — “Demolish arguments... take captive every thought”
Acts 17:2-4 — Paul “reasoned... explaining and proving”
Acts 17:16-34 — Paul at Mars Hill in Athens
Matt 22:37 — “Love the Lord... with all your mind”

Case Study — Acts 17

Paul at Mars Hill

Started with their altar: “To an Unknown God”
Quoted their poets: Epimenides & Aratus
Built a bridge → then preached creation, judgment, resurrection

Contextualize without compromise.

Why Now?

Why Apologetics Matters Today

For the Believer

Strengthens your faith
Builds confidence to share
Deepens understanding

For the Unbeliever

Removes intellectual obstacles
Shows Christianity takes questions seriously

For the Culture

~30% of Americans are “nones”
Top reason for leaving: unanswered questions

A Caution

What Apologetics Is Not

× Not about winning arguments — it’s about winning people
× Not a replacement for the Holy Spirit — only God changes hearts
× Not just for scholars — every believer can give basic reasons
× Not cold or impersonal — best done in genuine relationship

02

Part 2

Three Types of
Apologetic Moves

Classification 1

Defensive Apologetics

Answering objections & removing barriers to faith

“How can a good God allow suffering?” → You respond
“The Bible is full of contradictions” → You show otherwise
Biblical example: Peter before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:8-12)

Think of it as: playing defense.

Classification 2

Positive Apologetics

Proactively building the case for Christianity

Presenting the cosmological argument for God’s existence
Laying out historical evidence for the resurrection
Demonstrating New Testament manuscript reliability
Biblical example: Paul at Mars Hill (Acts 17:22-31)

Think of it as: playing offense.

Classification 3

Offensive Apologetics

Challenging the internal consistency of other worldviews

Moral: “On atheism, where does ‘evil’ come from?”
Self-refuting: “Is ‘all truth is relative’ an absolute truth?”
Reason: “On naturalism, why trust your brain?”
Biblical example: Elijah on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18)

Think of it as: turning the tables.

In Practice

How They Work Together

Defensive Answer the objection

→

Positive Build the case

→

Offensive Challenge assumptions

A well-rounded apologist is comfortable in all three modes.

03

Part 3

Five Approaches
to Apologetics

★ Our Approach

Classical Apologetics

Two-step method: theism first, then Christianity

Step 1

Prove God exists

Cosmological, teleological & moral arguments

Step 2

Prove Christianity specifically

Resurrection, Bible reliability, prophecy

Aquinas · Sproul · Craig · Geisler

Method 2

Evidential Apologetics

One-step: go straight to historical evidence

If Jesus rose from the dead, that is your evidence for everything
Concrete, tangible, fact-based
Best for: People open to God but unsure about Jesus

Habermas · Licona · Strobel · McDowell

Method 3

Presuppositional Apologetics

Starting point: the Bible as self-authenticating revelation

There is no “neutral ground”
Key move: “You’re borrowing from my worldview”
Without God, can’t account for logic, morality, or science
Best for: Moving goalposts, worldview-level conversations

Van Til · Bahnsen · Frame

Method 4

Cumulative Case

No single knockout argument — stack the evidence

Like a lawyer building a case before a jury
Philosophy + history + experience + moral reasoning
Flexible — draw from whatever fits
Best for: Long conversations, big-picture thinkers

C.S. Lewis · Swinburne · Keller

Method 5

Reformed Epistemology

Belief in God as “properly basic”

Rational without formal proof — like belief in other minds
Sensus divinitatis — innate awareness of God (Calvin)
Frees believers from “I can’t believe unless I can prove it”
Best for: “How can you believe without proof?”

Plantinga · Wolterstorff · Alston

At a Glance

Comparing the Methods

Method	Starting Point	Key Move	Best For
Classical ★	Philosophy	Two steps: theism → Christianity	Atheists, agnostics
Evidential	Historical evidence	Straight to the resurrection	People open to God
Presuppositional	The Bible	Challenge foundations	Moving goalposts
Cumulative Case	Multiple lines	Stack the evidence	Big-picture thinkers
Reformed Epist.	Belief as basic	Defend rationality	“How can you believe?”

The Honest Answer

All of them have value.

The best apologists draw from multiple methods depending on the person and the situation.

The Holy Spirit will guide you — but you need tools in the toolbox.

Our Journey

Course Roadmap

Week 1 What Is Apologetics? ← You are here
Week 2 Does God Exist?
Week 3 Can We Trust the Bible?
Week 4 The Case for the Resurrection
Week 5 Responding to Common Objections
Week 6 Putting It Into Practice

Let’s Talk

Discussion

Which methodology resonates with you most? Why?
Think of one person who doesn’t know Christ — which approach might reach them?
Which apologetic “mode” feels most uncomfortable to you?

Before Next Week

Homework

Read: 1 Peter 3:15 · Acts 17:16-34 · Jude 1:3
Reflect: Write 2–3 hard questions about Christianity
Think: One skeptical person — what questions do they have?
Optional: C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Book 1

Next Week

Does God Exist?

Three arguments: Cosmological · Teleological · Moral

Bring your questions.

What IsApologetics?