Apologists Need to Clarify Their Goals

Apologists put a lot of time and energy into their activities. But what is it that they are actually trying to achieve?

I am not suggesting that all apologists should share the same goal. But I do think that apologists should reflect on what they are trying to accomplish.

Some potential goals

• Encouraging non-Christians to become Christians.
• Pre-evangelism, in the sense of getting Christianity a seat at the table.
• Strengthening the faith of questioning Christians.
• Helping Christians to learn more about their faith.
• Critiquing other religions and worldviews.
• Promoting one side of the culture war over another.
• Working through one’s own doubts.
• Making a name for oneself.

Choosing goals

I would suggest that some of these goals are better than others. I believe the bottom two are not good goals for an apologist and I personally have issues with the culture war goal.

One of the problems that I see with many of the apologists I encounter online is that they are trying to do all of this, or at least most of it. Because they are trying to do everything, they do not do anything effectively.

I am not suggesting that an apologist can only do one thing on this list, completely excluding everything else. But there should be a focus on one or two that are the main goal.

What goal should an apologist choose?

I have some definite opinions on this but it is not my job to decide for anyone else. I really am writing this post for my own sake more than anything else. I can recognize some problems with the way I have been involved in apologetics and I can also see a progression.

I see my own apologetics, at least as it stands now, with two areas of focus:

1. Demonstrating that Christianity deserves a place at the table when it comes to plausible worldviews. This is not the same as proving that Christianity is true. I just want to demonstrate that Christianity should not be dismissed out of hand.
2. Articulating what C.S. Lewis called “mere Christianity.” I want to be able to present the core teachings of Christianity, that which would be accepted by most traditions, and one not tied directly to the culture wars.

Could this change? Absolutely. But at this moment, this is where I am at.

To those involved in Christian apologetics, I would encourage you to consider what your goals are. Try to have some focus and do not give in to the pressure to do everything. Who is your target audience? Are you speaking to Christians? To atheists? To people of other religions?

Reflecting on goals will help make your apologetics activity to be more effective.