“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (I Peter 3:15 ESV)

The term “apologetics” comes from the Greek word apologia and means defense.  It is defined by Oxford dictionary as “reasoned arguments or writing in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine.”  Christian apologetics, explains why it is reasonable to believe in God, Jesus and the Bible, and does so through the academic disciplines of history, archaeology, philosophy, science, physics and math.

I was never interested in becoming a Christian just to go along with what others are doing, to follow a cultural tradition, or to just go through the motions.  I couldn’t commit my heart to Christ and His teachings until I became satisfied intellectually in the claims of Christianity.  On the night many years ago that I became a Christian it was because (after some reading and reasoning) it all began to “click” for me.  I saw the biblical message as the most reasonable explanation for those big questions we want to understand:  How did we get here?  Who are we?  What is our purpose?  And, how should we live?

Since that time, I have always had an interest in apologetics.  And, I’ve had the pleasure in recent years of serving on the event planning committee for The Institute for Christian Apologetics (at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary).  Through their events I have heard many world-class speakers in defense of Christianity as well as skeptics of Christianity — both who have passionately and articulately argued their points.  What I have heard at these events, and additional resources I have read and seen through the many years since I became a Christian has only confirmed the conclusion I reached on the night of October 16, 1975 when I committed my life to Christ — that we have been created by a power beyond our intellect and capacities, that He is the God of the Bible, that Jesus is who he claimed to be (God in human form), that we matter to him and are loved by him, and that through him we can know the truth of who we are, why we are here, and how we can live the life for which we were created.  I am convinced that there is no better way to live, and no better way to die, than to live in harmony with these truths.

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance.  The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”  ~ C. S. Lewis

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:13

Click here for a list of apologetics resources.

Also,the first four chapters of my book (A Heart for God – Loving God with Your Whole Heart) are apologetics.  These chapters include: 1-Pursuing Truth; 2-Reasons to Believe God Exists; 3-Reasons to Believe the Bible is Reliable; and, 4-Reasons to Believe the Claims of Jesus. Click here to download a free copy.