Ready to Answer

FrontLine: Volume 32 • Number 5

The Christian faith is defensible, and learning to defend it is an act of obedience for believers. First Peter 3:15 instructs Christians to “be ready always to give an answer to every man.” The term “apologetics” has historically been used for this careful defense of the Christian faith. But are believers ready to defend their faith? Christians who feel unprepared or, worse, are not fully convinced in their own minds will probably avoid conversations about faith with unbelievers, losing valuable opportunities to share Christ. The unfortunate result is a stagnant Church.

Believers should be prepared to defend the faith for two primary reasons. First, they need stability in a hostile culture. In fact, the need for stability is the primary context of the command given in 1 Peter. The recipients of Peter’s letter were scattered, mocked, ridiculed, and persecuted. They were struggling to live as people of God. Peter’s admonition reveals how essential it is for Christians to become grounded in what they believe and why they believe it.

Second, the believer needs the tool of apologetics to be a proper witness in the world. Questions, confusion, and objections abound among unbelievers. False religions and worldly philosophies dominate the culture, making Christianity seem irrelevant and outdated. Many Christians are intimidated or even distracted and therefore fail to “[speak] the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). Studying apologetics can renew a believer’s confidence and spark a fresh intensity to witness for Christ. Of course, apologetics has its limits. Only God can draw unbelievers to faith, but a Christian who is skillfully defending the faith can be used by God in the process.

We are glad to present this edition of FrontLine to provide some apologetic tools to Christians. The series of articles is organized to give a good summary of the nature of and the need for apologetics. Dr. Jon Johnson begins with an article describing the biblical basis for apologetics. Dr. David Saxon follows with a review of the history of apologetics.

Next, lest anyone be tempted to mistakenly put more confidence in apologetics than in the faith being defended, Dr. Michael Riley warns about the inherent risks and even dangers of apologetics. The final two articles by Dr. Andrew Goodwill and Dr. Bryan Brock give practical helps in communicating and taking advantage of all the opportunities God gives us to dialog with unbelievers.

It is the goal of these authors to motivate believers to grow in their ability to defend their faith, thus becoming more confident in their ministry to unbelievers. It is their prayer that those who read this issue will be “ready to answer” for the glory of God.

Mark Herbster

Features

THAT’S A GOOD QUESTION
Jonathan Johnson

Countless opportunities to share the gospel, provide counsel, and engage in useful conversations have started with those four words.

A HISTORY OF CONTENDING
David Saxon

Apologetics can be defensive or offensive.

THE DANGERS OF APOLOGETICS
Michael Riley

The Christian faith is reasonable and rational— and it is defensible.

ANSWERING WITH WISDOM
Andrew Goodwill

Have you ever come up with the perfect response to a question or situation three days after you needed it?

APOLOGETICS IN ACTION
Bryan Brock

A failure of modern apologetics is that it can lead to a lot of head knowledge and theory but rarely translate into real-life interactions.

TRIAGE: PROCESSING APOLOGETIC ENCOUNTERS
Jonathan Johnson

HISTORICAL APOLOGISTS
Jonathan Johnson

BOOK REVIEW: CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALISM IN AMERICA
Bud Steadman

Departments

MAILBAG

HEART TO HEART: Wandering in the Wilderness
Claudia Barba AT A GLANCE: Matthew 18: “If Two of You Shall Agree on Earth”
Layton Talbert

WITH THE WORD TO THE WORLD: Godliness is More Important than Giftedness
Jim Tillotson

ON THE HOME FRONT

NEWS FROM ALL OVER

CHAPLAIN’S REPORT: Not What I Expected
KC Hansen

EVANGELIST’S PERSPECTIVE: The Disappointment and Delight in Serving the Lord
Jerry Sivnksty

Pastor’s Supplement

First Partaker: John Newton’s Counsel to a Ministerial Student
Mark Minnick

Bring … the Books: Hudson Taylor in Early Years: The Growth of a Soul
Robert Vincent

Straight Cuts: Christ’s Descent to the “Lower Parts of the Earth”
Randy Leedy

Windows: The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
Bill Lovegrove

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