An understanding of Christian Apologetics, and the right and righteous defense of the Christian faith is important for every believer. The Apostle Peter articulates the need:

“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 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.”
1 Peter 3:13-16 ESV

Dr. Stephen Isaac teaches Christian Apologetics at the Fully Equipped Bible Institute.  He tells his students, “I firmly believe in the biblical principles and missional warrant of all Christian apologetics when they are purposed and practiced within right context, righteous intent, and divine purpose.”

Regarding right context, we must make a decisive commitment to scriptural apologetics. Meaning – simply this. Every Scripture existing in biblical text has a right context. To defend or give a reputable explanation for biblical text, one must discover and uncover that context. Once that context has been established, there will be parameters now in place so that one can then rightly contextualize that text into a formidable apologetics. One must have parameters for what one would defend. The incomparable C.S. Lewis said,

“Apologetics means, of course, defense. The first question is –What do you propose to defend? Christianity, of course. Whatever one wants to defend, one must draw boundaries around it, beyond which it would become something different from what is being defended.”

Having “right context” establishes necessary parameters/boundaries for scriptural apologetics. If one desires or believes themselves compelled to defend the transformative, theological, or moral and ethical doctrines of biblical exposition, there must be fixed parameters. Here are some of those parameters.

For Scriptural Apologetics, one must first begin with a sound theodicy (truth of God’s goodness and sovereignty in view of the existence of evil and human suffering) for who God is. Secondly, one would then need to utilize a reliable process for interpreting and defending the ancient text of Scripture or to competently represent the biblical worldview on theological topics such as the Existence of Evil, the Fact of Human Suffering and Pain, the Existence of God or Revelation of Himself in Christ, the Death and Resurrection of Christ, Sin, Eternal Salvation, Heaven and Hell, etc.

Thirdly, to more accurately form an apologetics for weighty moral topics and biblical theologies such as those listed, one’s apologetic process must include a sound inductive (evidential and objective) interpretation of those Scriptures addressing the laws, covenants and commands, principles and precepts, expectations, and all the theology and doctrine that comes with them. To inductively interpret any text or Scripture one must come to understand the context for the text of the author of origin (biblical, historical, language, and linguistic contexts).

Finally, one must grasp and embrace the original intent and meaning of the author to accurately re-contextualize the text back into the relevancy of present-day apologetics and worldview debate. There is no right way to defend or represent Scripture, its theology and doctrines, and the Biblical worldview without some sincere attempt and accomplishment of this type of hermeneutical process or one similar to it. These are just a few essential parameters for the right context for Scriptural Apologetics.”

About Christian Apologetics & Dr. Stephen Isaac

Learn more about the Christian Apologetics course at the Fully Equipped Bible Institute.  Dr. Stephen Isaac will be publishing his second book, Critical Considerations for Christian Apologetics, in the near future.  His book, “Critical Considerations for Biblical Hermeneutics” is available on Amazon.