Spiritual Development December 2016
In his book, Expository Apologetics, Dr. Voddie Baucham details how apologetics begins with our understanding of Scripture and the power of the gospel to save people out of sin and unbelief. I would highly recommend this resource to you if you desire to know how to more effectively share your faith with others while being informed with the truth of Scripture. The following is an excerpt from an article about the book that describes how expository apologetics relates to every person.
“Expository apologetics—the practice of answering objections with the power of God’s Word—is for everyone. First, it’s for the unbeliever. This is the person both ignorant of and antagonistic toward the gospel. This audience requires an evangelist. Whether we’re evangelists, preachers/teachers, or disciples, our goal is the same. As expository apologists, we point people to Christ and call them to repent and believe. We’re constantly showing people how foolish and dangerous it is to trust in anything but him. At bottom, the expository apologist is an evangelist. Evangelism is more than merely convincing people of the rightness of Christianity or getting them to walk an aisle and pray a prayer. Evangelism is about making disciples—calling people away from the kingdom of man and into the kingdom of God. This transfer of allegiance is at the heart of expository apologetics.
Second, it’s for the churchgoer. This is the person, whether converted or unconverted, sitting under the regular preaching and teaching of the Word. This audience requires a preacher/ teacher. Unlike the evangelist, the pastor/teacher is, for the most part, dealing with Christians. But Christians have areas of unbelief and doubt too. They live in a world constantly challenging their thinking. They watch TV, go to school, read magazines and newspapers, surf the internet, and interact daily with people and things that influence their thinking. They must be reminded repeatedly, then, of the apostle’s admonition: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:1).
Third, it’s for the disciple. This person is brand new to the things of God. This is the child being raised in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4), or the new convert unlearning and relearning everything he thinks he knows. This audience requires a discipler. Interestingly, the one least likely to be considered an apologist is the one most likely to engage in expository apologetics. Neither the evangelist nor the pastor/teacher will have a fraction of the expository apologetic encounters the discipler will. The discipler is a parent raising children or a more mature believer taking a new believer by the hand and introducing him or her to the fundamentals of the faith.
No matter the circumstance, there’s always a need to make the claims of the gospel both clear and memorable. As we lead people, let’s never forget that we’re helping them to always “make a defense.”
(The full article can be found at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/3-reasons-you-need-expository-apologetics)
