My reflections on the necessity of apologetics.

Almost10 years ago, I came to know about “apologetics” after a pastor gave me The Case for Christ. I was drawn to it immediately. My main interest changed from literature to apologetics. For 3 years, I just read books, and watched debates and lectures online. When I was watching a debate, I would pause after the non-Christian debate had finished his presentation and ask myself “would I be able to answer his questions/challenges?” Then I would listen to the Christian response.Then I would do research on each question and see which response best aligned with God’s Word.

Then God graciously opened doors for me to teach apologetics and that has gone on for almost 7 years now.

After one of the first apologetics workshops I conducted, I saw one of the organizers of the camp in tears. I asked her for the reason and she replied: “Some of the questions you were addressing today were my questions a while ago. I struggled with doubt and decided to talk to my pastor. I told him: "Pastor, I am really struggling with doubt and I have these questions that trouble me. Can you help me?" The pastor looked at me and said: "How dare you have questions? Just go and have faith!”

Sadly that was and still is the attitude of many Christians although I have to say the situation is far better now than how it was a few years ago.

Personally few things give me greater joy than being able to answer people’s heartfelt and personal questions. The Q and A sessions after the main talks are always my favorite parts of the whole thing. I never get tired of doing that. (Once ended up answering questions for 4.5 hours, long after the time allotted for questions was over!)

But the necessity of apologetics had never become more real and obvious to me than the time I went through one of the most difficult periods of my life. It was a time of extreme mental and emotional turmoil. I told myself “Farshid, you have answered so many questions on the problem of evil and suffering on so many occasions. Now is the time to see whether you really believe in those answers yourself!”

And it helped. I am really thankful to God for guiding me towards this path so many years ago.

Apologetics is not a merely intellectual pastime for a selected few. It is necessary for every single Christian. While so many religions insist on blind adherence and discourage any sort of questioning, the Bible encourages honest investigation of its core beliefs. Christian faith is not a blind faith. It is a conviction based on what can be known to be true.

As Apostle Peter has written in his first letter:

1 Peter‬ ‭3:15

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” ‭‭‬ ‭