Let me start by saying this: I believe that apologetics are useful to a believer- for personal use. Apologetics are very useful. They help increase a believer's personal faith in God. They help reduce doubt of God's existence. Therefore, they can be very beneficial for Christians to study on their own time.
However, what I am about to say may offend some Christians who dedicate their lives to apologetics. Please be aware that this is just my opinion on the subject and I am not denying the good that has come from apologetics.
With that said, I do not believe that apologetics should be used in evangelism.
Here is why: apologetics are centered on argument. Argument typically does not persuade anyone to change their view on anything.
Think about it: If you are deeply convinced about something and someone comes along and says that you are wrong and argues it with points, even if their points are valid, are you going to say "Hey, that was actually a pretty good point, I think I will change my view completely because you are totally right."
Of course not!
You are just going to keep arguing.
Nevertheless, I have known many Christians that couldn't get through to the person to just give up and say "Well I gave them the Gospel and they just couldn't handle the truth."
That response from those Christians is just absurd!
Stop blaming non-believers for not believing the truth and actually examine yourself. How are you presenting the Gospel? Is it not possible that you are actually the one not presenting it effectively?!
I believe that apologetics are just no longer effective on a large scale for Evangelism in modern times in the United States of America.
I am not saying that no one has and no one will come to Christ through apologetics. I just haven't seen it happen personally.
I have, however, seen people come to Christ time after time through another method:
Example.
The best type of example is when you do not even need to approach the person about Christ. They approach you.
You are friends with non-christians. You hang out with them. They do sinful things, however, you are different.
You live a different lifestyle- a godly lifestyle.
You are very optimistic and a nice person in general to be around.
You are trustworthy and loving and non-judgmental.
They can trust you with things that they cannot trust their fellow non-believer friends with.
Overtime they watch you and they wonder why you are so different.
They are curious and they want the life that you have.
They ask you "why are you the way that you are?"
This is the perfect time to tell them about Christ!
Tell them in an upbeat, excited, and energetic way. Not condescending. Not judgmental. Do not tell them about how they are a sinner- (at least not right off the batt.) When you do talk about sin, include yourself in the equation.
You are not trying to convict guilt in them!
If they do not sense that you are loving them, you are not doing it right!
You should emphasize that Salvation is a free gift. All they have to do is take it!
Constantly talk about God's love and acceptance.
I've seen a lot of churches talk about truth. I do not understand why they focus on this concept. If they were to look at our current society, they would realize that we live in a largely relativist society where whatever is truth to the individual is true to them.
So whenever a church says "Come to our church! We have the truth!" A non-believer is just going to say, "Yeah, so does everyone else!"
We need to realize that non-believers think differently than us. We can't start teaching the gospel with some assumptions already made. We have to start on their level. We need to see eye-to-eye with them before saying anything related to the gospel. You must be relevant. You must relate to their felt needs first and foremost.
In the U.S., most people do not want truth. They want love and acceptance. Well as Christians, we know that Christ is the most loving and accepting person there is. So focussing on the love and acceptance of Christ, is not deceiving them. Because it is truth. So if you say it in that way, you provided biblical truth to them while still addressing their felt needs.
Now go out a fulfill the Great Commission!
Good Luck and God Bless,
Jonathan D. Graham
