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'''Christian apologetics''' is the defense of the [[Christianity|Christian]] faith through rational or logical arguments. The term comes from the [[Greek]] word ''apologia'', which means "defense". There are a number of subfields within apologetics. Some apologists specialize in internal biblical consistency (such as JP Holding, owner of tektonics.org), others in scientific defenses of the Bible, and still others in historical or philosophical defenses of Christianity (such as [[Gary Habermas]] or [[Lee Strobel]]). Christian apologist [[JP Holding]] has recommended that prospective apologists choose one area of focus rather than trying to be a "jack of all trades". <ref>http://www.tektonics.org/qt/sowant.html</ref> Some feel that faith alone should need no justification, however, many feel that Christians should be prepared to defend and spread their faith by intellectual means.

'''Christian apologetics''' is the defense of the [[Christianity|Christian]] faith through rational or logical arguments. The term comes from the [[Greek]] word ''apologia'', which means "defense". There are a number of subfields within apologetics. Some apologists specialize in internal biblical consistency (such as JP Holding, owner of tektonics.org), others in scientific defenses of the Bible, and still others in historical or philosophical defenses of Christianity (such as [[Gary Habermas]] or [[Lee Strobel]]). Christian apologist [[JP Holding]] has recommended that prospective apologists choose one area of focus rather than trying to be a "jack of all trades". <ref>http://www.tektonics.org/qt/sowant.html</ref> Some feel that faith alone should need no justification, however, many feel that Christians should be prepared to defend and spread their faith by intellectual means.

==History of Christian Apologetics==

==History of Christian Apologetics==

Christian apologetics has existed as long as Christianity itself.  As Christianity was founded as a minority religion, and was under immediate persecution, believers, especially educated believers, jumped to the intellectual defense of their Faith.

Christian apologetics has existed as long as Christianity itself.  [[Jesus]] himself spent time in the temples and synagogues, debating and explaining the meaning of the scriptures.  The [[Peter (Apostle|Apostle Peter]] exhortd early Christians to apologetics, writing,

:"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, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."  1 Peter 3:15-16.

 

The Apostle Paul also spent time in [[Athens]], debating [[Stoicism|Stoic]] and [[Epicurianism|Epicurian]] philosophers.

 

Great theologians such as [[Origin]], [[Athanasius]], [[Irenaeus]], [[Martyr]], [[Augustine]], and [[Acquinas]] continued the tradition of apologetics on a dramatic scale.  At the same time, apologetics was practiced by countless individual Christians, explaining and defending their beliefs.

==Types of Christian Apologetics==

==Types of Christian Apologetics==