Haase_UZ_x007E_DTh (2).pdf - South African Theological Seminary

115
An Apologetic Response
Beyond the general Christian response to postmoderns, there also needs to be a
focused apologetic response. Christian apologetics have long focused on meeting
challenges to the faith presented by given circumstances, contexts, or ‘generations.’ The
purpose of apologetics is not to bring people to faith -- that is the task of evangelism.
Rather, the “apologist clears the bushes so the listener can take a good look at the cross,
and it is the Holy Spirit who brings about the change in the heart of the individual”
(Zacharias, in Carson, 2000:41). The apologetic response is biblically mandated, calling
Christians to ‘defend’ the faith where and as necessary.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and
Always be ready to give a defense to everyone
who asks you a reason for the hope that is in
you, with meekness and fear; having a good
conscience, that when they defame you as
evildoers, those who revile your good conduct
in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if
it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good
than for doing evil (1Pe. 3:15-17; cf., Act.
22:1, 26:24; Phi. 1:7, 16; 2Ti. 4:16).
For years, Western apologists have responded to the particular challenges presented
by the Enlightenment, and to my mind, must continue to do so indefinitely, because as
already discussed, modernity lives on. British theologian T.A. Roberts adds: “the truth of
Christianity is anchored in history; hence the implicit recognition that if some or all of the
events upon which Christianity has traditionally thought to be based could be proved
unhistorical, then the religious claims of Christianity would be seriously jeopardized”
(Roberts, in Nash, 1998:9). Christians cannot surrender to any assault upon the faith --
especially opposition from anthropocentric humanists. Christian apologetics remains an
essential component of our overall missiological witness, and must continue to be
pursued with vigour and excellence.
Christianity alone -- of all the world’s religions -- is able and willing to respond
philosophically and evidentially to its critics. All other religions evade the challenges of
University of Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa