With the rise of militant skepticism and anti-theism, apologetics have never been needed more than they are now. Unfortunately, from my observation, the idea of apologetics has been relatively criticized by the Evangelical community. But in recent times with popular writers like Lee Strobel and films such as God is Not Dead, the realization for the importance of apologetics has really come to surface.
... So, you want to learn more about Christian apologetics? Great!
I've been doing this whole apologetics thing now for a good six or seven years, and I must tell you up front that it is a lifestyle and a journey that never ends, much like our faith at large. I will also tell you that if you think you are not smart enough for apologetics, you could not be more wrong.
Intelligence, articulation, and expertise are all skills that can be honed and refined like any other. Some may have a genetic advantage over others, but it is something that anyone can build up and accomplish.
What is a required prerequisite however, is discipline. It is hard work, it is not always fun, and it doesn't help if you hate reading (like I used to). Perhaps even discipline is something you'll have to develop as you go, but I promise it get's easier the more you settle into the lifestyle of an apologist.
... So, you still want to be an apologist? Then let's get started!
Below I am going to present a rather condensed guide of how you can effectively facilitate the start of your apologetics journey. I'm going to start with some epistemic issues, talk a little bit about how to approach study, and the like. Afterwards, I'll be presenting a list of materials to get you started.
Ready?
I. The Foundations of Thinking
A truth claim is a claim that something is objectively true. Every opinion or statement is, at its core, a truth claim. The primary truth claim of Christianity is that Jesus was crucified and resurrected bodily from the dead (and all that it entails: e.g. virgin birth, trinitarianism, etc).
Truth claims are analyzed in a variety of ways, all of which depend upon the laws of modal logic. Modal logic encompasses the set of rules that determine what is coherent thought and what is fallacious, or incoherent. In order to become an effective apologist (for anything), one must gain a mastery of modal logic.
A fallacy, as previously mentioned, is a flaw in the process of thinking. To master modal logic, it is imperative that one be well acquainted with common logical fallacies to not only identify them in critical statements, but perhaps more importantly to ensure that one does not commit them personally.
Here is a list of common fallacies to help you take your first step in becoming an apologist. Learn them well!
II. The Epistemology of Evidence and Opinions
Believers and skeptics must understand this principle when addressing truth claims: Nothing is 100% provable.
Well, not entirely. There are only two things I know of that are 100% true:
1. I am something that thinks ("cogito ergo sum"). I don't know if the physical world really exists or of other minds exist than my own, but I know that I am something that is capable of thought.
2. Objective truth exists. Take the statement, "Truth does not exist." If it is true, then truth exists. If it is false, truth exists. Therefore, objective truth exists.
I call those two facts "absolute certainties". Everything else (and I mean everything) is what I would call a "near certainty", and is something that must involve a presupposition of some kind in order to be believed. For instance, we must presuppose that the physical world exists in order to study it.
Furthermore I'd like to discuss the idea of open-mindedness. By open-mindedness I mean the principle of changing one's opinion if the evidence falls in favor of the contrasting opinion. If you and your opponent are not willing to listen to each other with the possibility of changing your mind, the discussion is vain. Good can still come from it (such as bystanders listening and deciding for themselves), but as far as winning over your opponent... you can forget it. It is also very respectable to skeptics if you hold yourself to this standard.
In summation, when we are either making, criticizing, or defending truth claims, know that you will never prove or disprove something with "absolute certainty", and in order to prove anything your listener(s) must be open to the idea of changing their minds. As an apologist, it is important to reiterate this to your opponents (honest or malicious) before entering discussions about evidence.
III. Expanding Your Vocabulary
Any specialized field of research has its own set of high-context words that must be understood in order to communicate properly. If you see a word that you don't know, write it down and look up its definition later. This will help you learn quickly.
It is also important in conversation to define your terms. By this I mean, let people know what you mean by a certain word, and ask others what they mean by a certain word, even if it's one that you assume is commonly understood to mean one thing. Often times people apply subjective definitions to words, and it's important to break down those linguistic walls in order to communicate properly. Not doing so risks committing the fallacies of equivocation (taking a word or phrase to mean something else, e.g. "John saw a house fly") or a straw man (attacking a misrepresentation of someone's argument).
IV. Understand the Opposition
Understanding opposing positions is key to becoming an affective apologist. Learn their common objections, learn the criticisms of those objections, and learn the objections to the criticisms of those objections. The better prepared you are in all subjects, the more effective you will be. Which brings me to our next point:
V. Building a General Foundation
Every Christian apologist should build a generalized foundation in at least the following subjects:
1. Modal Logic
2. Reliability of the New Testament
3. The Resurrection of Jesus
4. Christian Doctrine
5. Ancient Near-Eastern Sociology
6. Philosophy
7. Historiography
8. Other Religions
9. Social Issues
This is no doubt an intimidating list to the uninitiated, and in a sense, rightly so. It is a lot of hard work. But when you know the right authors to read and have apologists around you to help you, this process becomes quite enjoyable and enlightening. Later I will provide a list of resources for these topics.
VI. Specialize in a Field
Once you've been working on building your general foundation, you will probably realize that there is at least one subject that you resonate with more than others. It can be a general subject or a very specific one. Myself for instance, I resonate greatly with ANE Sociology, Philosophy (namely moral and human-rights philosophy), and Social Issues (namely abortion and homosexual practice). Thus, I have devoted the majority of my study to these fields now that my general foundation is stable. This way I can help other apologists where I am stronger, and be helped by them where I am weaker.
You may already have a subject in mind. That's good! If not, don't worry. I didn't have mine when I first started either. But it will reveal itself through time and study.
VII. Know Who to Read
It's time to put down your Max Lucado and dig into some real scholarship!
By scholarship I mean those who have dedicated their lives to specific fields, much like I mentioned above. Scholars have expert, specialized knowledge in their relevant fields that most pastors, laity, and devotional authors simply do not have.
One thing that I admire about Lee Strobel is while he himself is not a scholar, he cites the work of scholars. Citing a popular Christian speaker such as Billy Graham might glean some nugget of wisdom, but academically speaking would not be an expert source. I hope I'm making that distinction clearly.
"So who do I read from then?" I'm glad you asked!
Below I will provide a list of authors and some of their introductory and advanced works. Follow this list and you'll be off to a great start.
Apologetics: Beginner Resources
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