The term “Christian apologetics” doesn’t refer to apologizing (or saying “sorry”) for being a Christian. The confusion arises because the English word apology now has a rather different meaning from the Greek word from which it was derived: απολογια (apología). The latter meant defense. The Greek term comes from words meaning “out of logic/reason,” so refers to a reasoned defence that would be given in a court of law. The classic example is Plato’s Apology, Socrates’ defence against the charges of atheism and corrupting the youth.

Christian apologetics is the reasoned defense of the Christian faith against objections, but also includes the setting forth of positive grounds for Christianity. It is the duty of all Christians, because:

• the Lord Jesus Christ commanded: “Love the Lord your God . . . with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37)
• the Apostle Peter commanded Christians: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15)
• the Apostle Paul said: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

The articles linked below cover various topics and should aid Christians in following the above commands.

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General apologetics topics

• What’s the best “proof” of creation?
• Creation: “Where’s the proof?”
• Searching for the “magic bullet”
• I have the Bible—what more do I need?
• Is faith reasonable? (Christian Research Institute)
• Games that scoffers play
• Missing? or misinterpreted?
• Those amazing discoveries

On what issues should Christians stand firm or hold loosely?

• Can Creation Models Be Wrong?
• Exposing Doctrinal Errors: Heresy Hunting or Biblical Mandate? (Christian Research Institute)

Is there any Biblical basis for the New Age or Reincarnation?

• Witnessing to those Involved in New Age Religion (Christian Research Institute)
• Reincarnation and the Bible: Can they be reconciled? (Christian Research Institute)

How can we defend absolute truth and morality against post-modernism and moral relativism?

• Get Answers: Morality and Ethics

Why should the Bible be trusted?

• Get Answers: Bible

Does God exist? What is He like? Is one God really three persons?

• Get Answers: God

Is Jesus really God? Did He even exist? Was He really born of a virgin? Did He really rise from the dead? Did He really perform miracles, and are miracles even rational?

• Get Answers: Jesus Christ

Is there really a hell where the unsaved will be eternally punished?

• Evangelicals and the Annihilation of Hell—Part One (Christian Research Journal)
• Evangelicals and the Annihilation of Hell—Part Two (Christian Research Journal)

Can someone be a creationist and a scientist? How was a Christian world view responsible for the development of modern science?

• A Christian Creationist view of teaching science
• The Creationist Basis For Modern Science

Quantum mechanics—What is it, and how does it fit with the Bible?

• Creation and Quantum Mechanics (Semi-technical—Institute for Creation Research Impact 305)

Get Answers: Countering the Critics, Philosophy