** This response answers the question directly, provides helpful resources, gives wise practical advice, and is encouraging in tone. **

Question: What is or should be the relationship between evangelism and apologetics? When should we be offensive and when should we be defensive?

Profile:Female, North America, 19–25

Answered by: Barb Reynolds, who has been a volunteer with us since July, 2012.

Answer: Thank you for writing to GotQuestions.org with a great question. Evangelism is the proclamation that salvation is in Jesus Christ and reconciliation of the sinner with God. All the persons of the trinity participate in evangelism. The Father loves the world and gave His Son. The Son’s death on the cross was the living evidence of His love. The Holy Spirit draws us. As believers, we share with others the truth that there is forgiveness for sin and the promise of a relationship with God. Our intention is to persuade nonbelievers of the truth of the Good News.

The message of the Gospel is nonnegotiable; it must be presented fully in terms of cost, commitment, and eternal relationship with God. The method in which the Gospel is presented may vary. A casual conversation may include elements of the Gospel initially with follow up discussions. That casual conversation may arise from any number of circumstances. A time of crisis in someone’s life may be the reason to initiate a presentation of the Gospel. Questions and answers may follow a message in church or a retreat or similar setting. Some people simply need the Gospel presented; they have been prepared by the Holy Spirit and have few objections.

Apologetic discussions tend to be necessary for people to counter naturalistic and materialistic world views. It may be necessary to discuss the obvious design in the universe for them to even consider the possibility of God. They need evidence and explanation in order to form belief. They need to understand that the Gospel is credible. The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2001, 82) says that apologetics “focuses the subjective question of how one knows and how one is convinced.” They point to the moral effects of belief in Christ, the unity of the Bible, fulfilled prophecies, miracles and the resurrection, and the surprising survival of the Church as areas that may be to be explored.

It is helpful to know the particular objections of a person who is resistant to the Gospel. What is their worldview? Do they believe in God generally but not as a divine Person? Are they an atheist or agnostic? Is their worldview postmodern? Do they believe it is impossible to understand “why” and the meaning underlying the universe?

The only way to understand the worldview of someone is to ask a lot of questions. That generally will diffuse most situations. Eventually you will need to respond to their questions and present truth. Personally, I needed to have the answers to some fallacious scientific information I learned in public school. God provided a wonderful, very educated theologian, Dr. John Whitcomb, to personally answer my thirteen-year-old questions calmly and rationally. My search for answers spanned decades even as a deeply committed believer. There are over 50 books on apologetic topics just a few feet from my computer. While apologetics may be needed to help a nonbeliever come to the place of belief, apologetics also provide a solid foundation for the believer.

Let the Holy Spirit guide you in your defense of the Gospel. Using apologetics offensively may not persuade and help someone to believe in Christ. They may put up additional defenses. Be cautious.

Several books may be helpful for you: Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics by William Lane Craig or Christian Apologetics by Norman Geisler or Christian Apologetics by Douglas Groothuis.

Here are a couple of helpful articles: What does it mean to contend for the faith? | GotQuestions.org and What is a Christian worldview? | GotQuestions.org.

Jude 1:3 teaches us to contend earnestly for the faith. Be ready in season and out of season to speak for Christ. The best way to be prepared is by faithfully spending time in the Word, prayer, fellowship, worship at church, and study.

May the Lord bless you as you share the Gospel.