Apologists Should Not Try to Prove That Christianity is True
What is the role of Christian apologetics? For many people, both believers and nonbelievers, the assumption is that it is to prove that Christianity is true. I want to argue that is not a good goal.
First of all, it is impossible to prove that Christianity is true. Part of the problem is that we often conflate evidence and proof. I looked at a legal website for definitions and found it very interesting. Although this is from a legal context, I think it is helpful.
Evidence is unprocessed pieces of data, material, or information. In the legal context, it is typically gathered and presented by one party to a case in an attempt to either prove or disprove a certain legal conclusion.
We can see how things like the appearance of design or historical support for the resurrection could fit as evidence.
A statement is said to be established when the Court, after examining the evidence, either thinks it exists or feels its existence is so likely that a reasonable person would act on the premise that it exists given the circumstances of the case.
We can see how a Christian could believe that the evidence for Christianity is so convincing that it has reached the level of proof. That is why Josh McDowell titled his book, Evidence That Demands a Verdict.
And yet there are plenty of reasonable people who still doubt the truth of Christianity. They may see certain pieces of evidence as more convincing than others but no where near proof.
So what should apologists do?
I think the model that is outlined in 1 Peter 3:15 is not to prove that Christianity is true but to share the reasons why we believe Christianity to be true. Whether someone is convinced by our reasons is something outside our control.
The other goal for Christian apologists should be to just keep Christianity on the table as a reasonable option. We do not have to feel the pressure to bring absolute proof. It is enough to just demonstrate why Christianity belongs in the marketplace of ideas.
Not only is this a healthier goal than attempting to prove that Christianity is true, I think it is closer to what the Bible teaches us to do.
