​Why Study Christian Apologetics

Have you ever been asked to defend your faith in Christ? Peter 3:15 says “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." How would your defense of your Christian faith differ from any other person’s faith? Most people will use a personal testimony for a defense. The problem is that the same defense can hold true for many other faiths or religions. Many people will say that they feel better because they follow some other belief or practice and it gives them peace.

Have you ever really thought about why you are a Christian? Some people will argue you are a Christian because you were born in the United States. If you were born in India you might be Hindi, Born in Saudi Arabia you would be a Muslim. Did you know that the Christian faith has an abundance of evidence to support its claims? I certainly was overwhelmed when I learned some basic facts which caused me to look deeper and for more evidence. I thought I was doing this to simply learn a little more about my faith. What I have been discovering is it has affected every aspect of my life and my thinking, changing my worldview forever.
I first noticed that studying apologetics deepened my faith. At first I was shocked by that as I thought my faith was strong before I started this journey. This new level of confidence has inspired me to want to share my faith more and be bolder than I have in the past. Having the knowledge and skill to poke holes in Darwin’s “theory”, discuss the evidence for a Creator and facts about the Resurrection. These are topics that any Christian can learn and share, defend or even just communicate these reasons for their faith.
One of the big topics among apologists on the national scene is our children. They go to public school and are inundated with a worldview that is not congruent with a Christian worldview. We home school our kids and think that we are protecting them from outside influences. The reality is we cannot. We must teach them and give them the tools to defend their Christian worldview with real tangible truths. So that when they do go to college or leave our home they are not defenseless in the world of ideas, or from people that want to teardown our tenants. They need to have the skills and knowledge to be able to defend and even advance a Christian worldview. As a father of adult children I wish I had studied this topic much earlier. I think it would have made me a better parent.
In my marriage, studying apologetics, helps me double my effort to be a better husband. This is a natural outcome, as my faith increases and I realize what a precious gift she is.  With siblings, it makes conversations start a little easier. Though I will admit witnessing to family members is hard. You may get a general consensus. The reality is you know that they are just trying to keep the peace or worse not listening at all. Having some facts about our faith can change the conversation.  We can use archeological evidence to start a conversation.  We can use movies and books that are anti-Christian to start conversations and refute their claims.  This way I am not always seen as a Christian nut. I have a rational, reasonable and evidential defense for my faith.
It is commanded for us to spread the Good News. Studying apologetics has given me hope that I can reach people with the facts that are simply undeniable. We get peppered from non-believers, for example, “What is true for you is not true for me”, nonsense. Truth is true for everyone. We need to be able to parse through the silly phrases and common misconceptions that are used as “mic drop” moments and force the conversation that is a rational, truthful, and historically accurate 
I had a conversation with another person that is a well-known apologist. He introduced me to another person that I could draw inspiration from, he called me an apologist. While I don't feel I have earned that title yet. I certainly want to earn that title some day.
 (I am looking for people that have an interest in this journey and see where we are led as a group. After a year of reading listening and thinking, I feel very compelled to keep moving forward. )