Publication Interview Part 2

The first few questions dealt with apologetics, so continuing on with the interview...

Q:

Christian apologetics has begun to be very popular recently.  Briefly describe why you categorize yourself this way as well as what you think it is to be a Christian apologetic.


A:
The simple answer to why I am classified as a Christian Apologetic is because I don’t belong to any particular Christian denomination.  Almost all of my core beliefs are initially based on Christian apologetic techniques.  The reason that apologetics are gaining popularity is mainly because large Christian denominations are using apologetics to defend their position and core beliefs as well.  I have seen many organizations now implementing an apologetics division to explore its effectiveness.


Apologetics are simply a defense of a belief or set of beliefs as it meets opposition.  Christianity is highly scrutinized by science and philosophy from those who do not believe in God, but more effort is spent on defense of interpretations of scripture and beliefs as it pertains to a particular denomination.  In any case it is important to know what you believe and why.


For some of us who have harnessed the power of information and knowledge via electronics, the days of searching tirelessly for resources and accepting truths on the basis of religious credibility are over.  I don’t know how many times I have gone to a leader/teacher of the word of God and asked questions only to get the answer, “You just need to have faith son”.  If that wasn’t good enough I would get an arbitrary explanation, or some rehearsed doctrine with more holes in it than a salt shaker.  I started thinking that either thier interpretation was not entirely correct, or they simply didn’t know the answer.  This was unacceptable in either case.


To use Christian apologetics effectively, a person should go into each topic from a neutral position.  Gather information from several resources, including those who don’t agree at all with your views.  This is the “visual” test, much like checking fruit at a super market.  It is easy to tell right off the bat if the fruit is damaged and needs to be discarded without much investigation.  Others may be removed later when after internal investigation.  Once this has been done the topic becomes at least logically defensible.


I have also found that historical research is very important to the process.  There is always a “control sample” for almost all topics.  If a belief has changed over time, it is important to know when it was changed and why.  By tracing this process a person can understand the stance that others may have, as well as determine if the modifications are justified by logical standards.


In most cases this level of scrutiny is not needed if the intention is to convince a party with no in depth knowledge of a particular topic.  But for most people who are considered to be Christian Apologetics, this is the only way to comfortably accept and identify what it is you believe.