The key biblical verse for apologetics is 1 Peter 3.15.
It says: ‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.’ (NIV) Most of us are probably familiar with the words and realise the challenge of giving reasonable answers (an ‘apology’ in Greek) for our faith. But Peter’s words carry other challenges too. There is the challenge to be full of gentleness and respect. There is no encouragement to quarrel or be arrogant. No call to be rude or dismissive. Apologists are at their best when they are courteous and dignified.
Do they ask questions?
However, there is a further challenge in the verse which I think is even more urgent in my experience of church life. Peter is describing apologetics as responsive. It is giving an answer in response to a question that an unbeliever asks us. Here is a pressing challenge. Do we have friends who are not Christians and are we in situations where our faith is being questioned?
