Webster’s defines apologetics as the “systematic defense of the faith and divine authority of Christianity”.  As Christians, apologetics prepares the soil for the gospel. Christians who believe, but don’t know why are often insecure and only comfortable around other Christians.  Defensiveness can quickly surface when challenges arise on issues of faith, morality, or truth.  At its worst, this can lead to an isolationist mentality or a belligerent faith, precisely the opposite of the great commission Jesus gave us in Matthew 28.  The charge He gave to us is not to withdraw from the world, but to engage it as the salt and light. The solution to this problem is for believers to become informed in doctrine, the history of their faith, the evidence and facts and then how to employ them in a way that effectively engages the culture.  In short, the Equip U team believes the answer is Christian Apologetics. 

Through this series, you will be equipped to answer the following popular assumptions held in our culture:
 
• Jesus never lived • You can’t prove God exists • There are no such things as miracles • The Bible isn’t reliable • There is no evidence Jesus rose from the dead • All religions basically teach the same thing • If God is real and loving, why do bad things happen? • What’s true for you is true for you; what’s true for me is true for me • Christianity is unreasonable and intellectually shallow 

Christian apologetics is neither a new practice nor is it unbiblical.  It is both modeled and commanded in the New Testament.  In Acts 22:1, Paul said this before a Jewish crowd, “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”   The Greek word apologia is used to describe a defense or making a case.  Remember Webster’s definition.  In Philippians 1:7 he says, “Just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace”.  And finally, in Philippians 1:16 (NLT) He states, “They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News”. This series will help to build your faith and position you to be even more effective as the salt and light.