Posted by Chris Blair 03/22/2026
What is Christian Apologetics?
Individual worldviews fundamentally change how we perceive reality. Our experiences, geography, relationships, and education all act as filters that shape our perspectives. Given these variables, it’s clear why two people can look at the same data and reach opposite conclusions. For the Christian, this makes apologetics essential, not just to help skeptics remove intellectual obstacles to the truth, but to help believers strengthen their own foundational convictions.
As Gould, Dickinson, and Loftin note in Stand Firm, “Apologetics is an attempt to remove obstacles or doubts to, as well as offer positive reasons for, believing that Christianity is true and satisfying”.[1] This is biblically mandated in 1 Peter 3:15-16, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” (ESV).
Even if a skeptic hears a powerful personal testimony, their own presuppositions might exclude Christ as a rational possibility. In those cases, logical exploration is required before the testimony can be seen as valuable. This leads us to the very definition of knowledge. In Stand Firm, the authors reference the Socrates and Theaetetus dialog, suggesting that knowledge is “true judgment with an account.” essentially, you need a good reason to believe something is true.[2]
Yet, truth existed long before the first philosopher asked a question. It is independent of the human mind. Jesus claimed this reality directly, stating, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Therefore, truth is grounded in the nature of God. However, God rarely provides proof that is “beyond all possible doubt.” Because we lack undeniable, mathematical-grade evidence for every claim, the gap between belief and truth must be bridged by faith.
What, then, is faith? Gould, Dickinson, and Loftin define it as a “state of trust” that implies “trust in action.”[3] We navigate this world by using our lived experiences to build a framework for what we believe; once those beliefs take root, they become the driving force behind how we act in faith of those beliefs. Yet, we rarely have the luxury of standing on the concrete knowledge of undeniable truth.
Consider a skydiver standing at the open door of a plane. He looks down at the miniature houses and green fields below. Before booking this jump, he had to believe he would land safely. However, until he actually exits the aircraft, he doesn’t have “real” knowledge of that truth; the truth of his safety is independent of his feelings. He may have researched the parachute’s reviews, checked the wind speeds, and listened to the testimony of expert pilots. All that evidence built his belief. The final question remains: does he have enough faith in that evidence and belief to actually jump and experience the truth?
[1] Paul M. Gould, R. Keith Loftin, and Travis Dickinson, Stand Firm: Apologetics and the Brilliance of the Gospel (Nashville, Tennessee: B & H Academic, 2018), 23.
[2] Paul M. Gould, R. Keith Loftin, and Travis Dickinson, Stand Firm: Apologetics and the Brilliance of the Gospel (Nashville, Tennessee: B & H Academic, 2018), 24.
[3] Paul M. Gould, R. Keith Loftin, and Travis Dickinson, Stand Firm: Apologetics and the Brilliance of the Gospel (Nashville, Tennessee: B & H Academic, 2018), 33-34.
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