Apologetics vs. Evangelism?
9
votes
3
answers
2488
views
When engaging with non-believers, including atheists, agnostics, apatheists, pagans, and others, two distinct approaches come to light:
The first is the **Apologetics** approach, involving the presentation of a rational case for the truth of Christianity via intellectual arguments and evidence. Noteworthy examples include:
- [*Five Proofs of the Existence of God*](https://www.amazon.com/Five-Proofs-Existence-Edward-Feser/dp/1621641333) , by Edward Feser
- [*Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe*](https://www.amazon.com/Return-God-Hypothesis-Compelling-Scientific/dp/0062071505/) , by Stephen C. Meyer
- [*A Mousetrap for Darwin: Michael J. Behe Answers His Critics*](https://www.amazon.com/Mousetrap-Darwin-Michael-Answers-Critics/dp/1936599910) , by Michael J. Behe
- [*I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist*](https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Have-Enough-Faith-Atheist/dp/1581345615) , by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek
- [*Answering Atheism: How to Make the Case for God with Logic and Charity*](https://www.amazon.com/Answering-Atheism-Make-Logic-Charity/dp/1938983432) , by Trent Horn
- [*Mere Christianity*](https://www.amazon.com/Mere-Christianity-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652926) , by C. S. Lewis
- [*Warranted Christian Belief*](https://www.amazon.com/Warranted-Christian-Belief-Alvin-Plantinga/dp/0195131932) , by Alvin Plantinga
- [*The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus*](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QOGJY0/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0) , by Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona
- [*Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts*](https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-Credibility-New-Testament-Accounts/dp/0801039525) , by Craig S. Keener
The second approach is **Evangelism**, with Spirit and power. The Apostle Paul advocates for this approach in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5:
>**1** And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. **2** For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. **3** I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. **4** **And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power**, **5** **that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God**.
Considering these two approaches to proselytizing, my question is as follows:
Are there established and widely recognized principles in Christianity that guide the decision of when to prioritize the approach of evangelism over apologetics, or vice versa? More specifically, is the preaching of the gospel with Spirit and power in evangelism always the preferred method, relegating the use of sophisticated philosophical arguments often associated with apologetics to a secondary and complementary role?
Asked by user61679
Jan 29, 2024, 08:21 PM
Last activity: Apr 13, 2024, 10:10 PM
Last activity: Apr 13, 2024, 10:10 PM