Apologetics in the Bible, Part Two

In last month’s article, we began looking at the Biblical basis for apologetics. 1 Peter 3:15-16 contains an exhortation by Peter for suffering Christians to be ready to provide a “defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you”. In Matthew 12:22-32, Jesus demonstrates the use of apologetic argument in responding to false claims that the Pharisees were making about His ministry. Further insight into the nature and practice of apologetics can be found by examining Paul’s speech to the Areopagus in Acts 17.    

In Acts 17, Paul ends up in the Greek city of Athens. He is there waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him in further ministry. While waiting, Paul observes the idolatry of the city. The text says “he was deeply distressed when he saw that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16). Paul’s next move was to engage people in rational discussion regarding spiritual things. Verse 17 records: “so he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.” Importantly, Paul did not see rational engagement with the Jews and Greeks in Athens as a hindrance to evangelism. On the contrary, he pursued it as part of his normal custom of engaging others with the claims of Jesus.    

Paul’s initial conversations then led to more conversations. He was brought to a place called the Areopagus where he was given the opportunity to further explain the message of the gospel. The Areopagus was a place in Athens where thinkers of the day would engage each other in the latest ideas. It was an intellectual center and provided a significant opportunity for Paul. The content of Paul’s speech is instructive. First, he begins by establishing a point of contact with his hearers. The point of contact is the “religiosity” of his audience - “I see that you are extremely religious in every respect” (Acts 17:22). He points out they even have an altar built to “an unknown God” (Acts 17:23). Second, from this starting point, Paul begins to fill in this concept of “an unknown God” with the true God. He points out the “unknown God” has made Himself known. This occurs both in creation (God is responsible for all that exists) and in His sovereign rule (God has made people of all nations to seek Him).    

Third, Paul points out the fallacy of thinking that a divine being has the nature of a physical object. He appeals to the fact that even Greek religion holds that human beings are, in some sense, the “offspring of the divine” (Acts 17:28). Paul’s point is that, if human nature cannot be accurately described or contained in terms of a physical object (and human beings are the “offspring of the divine”), then neither can the divine nature. Thus, the Greeks should see that physical idols cannot be gods and therefore, constructing idols is not the way to seek and know the true God.    

Fourth, Paul moves into an exhortation for his hearers to repent as the true God “has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed” (Acts 17:31). He focuses on Jesus’ resurrection as proof that this is true - “he has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). The response to Paul’s message was mixed. Some believed, some “ridiculed him”, and others wanted to hear more (Acts 17:32-34).    

While we only have a summary of Paul’s speech to the Areopagus in Acts 17, it provides valuable insight into how we proclaim and defend the gospel. We should be rightly disturbed by false religion knowing that people are being deceived. We should look for “points of contact” with our non-Christian friends. We should seek to understand the basics of what they believe and discern how the gospel addresses where they are at. We need to be aware of contradictory ideas and assumptions that people hold about God and spiritual things. We need to communicate that Christianity is a religion of history which hinges on the claim that Jesus rose bodily from the dead. And we should not shy away from talking about the judgment to come and what Jesus has done to provide forgiveness for those who trust in Him. This may sound like a lot to do, but be encouraged! These things often happen organically as we take the time to have spiritual conversations with family members, co-workers, and others in our lives.