Apologetics as an outreach strategy

apologetics: the branch of theology concerned with the defense and rational justification of Christianity. (Collins English Dictionary)

Although many non-Christians have no interest in discussing apologetics issues with Christians, there are some who have the mindset to ask questions and debate issues. Indeed, in the modern world where there is no longer any concensus about truth and values, apologetics are becoming more strategic. The evangelical world is often not equipped to answer these questions.

There are two little-noticed verses in Acts which shows that Paul spent two years running an apologetics discussion ministry in a secular meeting hall in Corinth. And in many other incidents in Paul's ministry, we find the word 'discuss' appearing again and again. It is very significant that research into adult education shows how people learn best in an interactive discussion environment in which their current views are respected.

Apologetics websites which are designed for non-Christians, or allow Christians and non-Christians to debate issues through bulletin board postings, can be very effective.

Unlike 'bridge strategy' sites which address secular issues first, most apologetics sites can engage immediately with questions of faith. Of course, apologetics answers can be a component of other types of evangelistic site – for instance Power to Change.

Apologetics, no bulletin-board discussion

These sites aim to answer questions about the faith and may be written either for non-Christians or for a mixed Christian/non-Christian audience:

• Christian Answers – very comprehensive resource in a range of languages from Eden Communications, aiming to offer answers to a broad range of questions at a popular level. Part of the RBC Ministries site is apologetic: Reasons to Believe.
• FaithFacts uses a similar approach, and is written for both Christians and non-Christians.
• Rational Christianity – reasoned answers – including for skeptics.
• Simple Truth – a very accessible site which analayses different belief systems and Christianity.
• Leadership University – a very comprehensive set of pages which are mainly apologetic in character. Many pages are written particularly for non-Christians, though there is material here to help believers too. Target readers are student level and above. LeaderU is a ministry of Campus Crusade. Sign up for the occasional newsletter focusing on new site material.
• Who is Jesus – many questions and answer pages.
• Ocean – an evangelistic apologetic site which also aims to meet people through felt needs.
• Mente Abierta – Spanish language apologetic-approach evangelistic page aimed at those seeking intellectual answers. One of very few pages aimed to reaching the 400 million Hispanic community.
• World Religion Index a look at different religious beliefs from a Christian viewpoint.
• Lost in the Cosmos – some philosophical argument - (Anselm's ontological argument, Aquinas' cosmological argument, Paley's teleological argument) for those who relate to that sort of discussion.
• Answering Islam and Into the Light address apologetics issues for Muslims – who, being absolutists, are often eager to discuss points of belief.
• All about God – answering common hangups of inquirers

Apologetics discussion

These sites major on discussion and interaction between Christians and non-Christians, usually by means of online bulletin boards. Frequently, they are targeting those with quite an intellectual mindset.

• Jesus.com.au is a growing resource with helpful discussion of apologetics issues, including other religions and science.
• The Debate is designed "to give Muslims an opportunity to discover the Truth about Christ and what Christians believe".
• Unravelling Wittgenstein's Net – fairly intellectual discussion.
• Defending the faith – atheism/Christian dialogue.
• Form and Matter – for skeptics, with blogs, discussion, and questions.
• Debating Christianity and Religion – Bulletin Board forum.

Evangelistic apologetics on CD

The Quest is a unique outreach approach to apologetics on a CD. Its target readership is young thinking people and students 16+. With a low-key, non-confrontational, unpreachy communication style, it takes readers through an imaginary desert quest "into the heart of spirituality". Quest areas to explore include: The Quest for Meaning, Ultimate Reality, Right and Wrong, Self-Understanding, Knowledge, and Real Spirituality. Readers can drill down into any subject in increasing depth if they wish, and also follow external web links too. The CD is using the principles of permission evangelism in an effective way.

Check The Quest site for more information, sample pages and reviews.

Questioning Faith

Many (maybe most) Christians have unanswered questions or serious doubts about areas of faith. Some find these conflicts so severe that they may cease church attendance. Inquirers too may have highly legitimate questions, yet find no answers. Yet to voice these questions, or attempt to find a way through, is seen as highly threatening by the church at large, sinful, or 'rocking the boat'. Rarely do sermons address such issues. There are few forums where people can raise such questions in a safe environment. It really is a 'love that dare not speak its name'. Questioning Faith was created by Ruth A. Tucker, the author of Walking Away From Faith (InterVarsity Press, 2002). Christians can submit their difficult questions, and read those from others. Primarily for Christians, but may touch inquirers too.

Making apologetics meaningful

Writers of apologetics sites should be aware of the danger of presenting the faith only in impersonal intellectual or doctrinal terms. The goal is still to offer Jesus as a friend who wants to meet people's deepest needs. Take note of the style used in Lee Strobel's books The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith. He says:

"One of the scholars I interviewed for The Case for Christ predicted nobody would read the book. His theory was that we live in a post-modern culture of radical relativism, and therefore nobody is interested in historical evidence any more.

As it turned out, he was wrong. People are still interested in what's true and what isn't; whether ChristianitY is a faiRy tale or based on history; and whether there are good answers to tough questions about the faith. In fact, the biggest single group of people who have come to faith through the book have been 16-24 year-olds. That is why we subsequently published a Youth Edition of the book.

However, I definitely agree that we need to present the evidence in a new way for a new generation. I believe one of the reasons for the success of The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith is that they incorporate story. They are not explanations of facts; instead they tell the true story of an atheist who took the time to systematically investigate where there's any substance to Christianity. They use techniques of narrative and testimony to communicate the essential truths of the Christian faith."

Strobel was a journalist with the Chicago Tribune before becoming a pastor, and therefore understands the vital importance of using journalistic rather than preaching techniques in his communication.

Apologetics for Christians

There are also many apologetics sites designed to equip Christians to understand their faith better, and to know how to answer questions they are asked:

• Questions and answers – how to answer those problems that non-Christians raise
• CARM – detailed resource
• Leadership University – important CCC site

Please tell us of other apologetic sites to include on this page.

Printed from Web Evangelism Guide © 2008
Can be freely reproduced in print in any non-profit situation with attribution to web-evangelism.com. This page content can also be inserted into your own web-page by copying a simple Javascript insert code into your page - explained in the online version of this page: guide.gospelcom.net/resources/
Please do not copy the text of this page onto your own web-page - search engines do not like hard-copy duplicate content on different sites.
To receive the twice-monthly email newsletter Web Evangelism Bulletin, visit the Guide.