Biblical Apologetics Quotes

“There is one more invaluable truth about apologetics set forth by Peter in 3:15. It has to do with the Christian’s attitude when defending the faith. When one is under duress it is easy to be defensive or caustic to antagonists. So Peter reminds Christians to defend their faith with godly attitudes, namely “gentleness and reverence.” “Gentleness” refers to our attitude toward unbelievers, while “reverence” speaks of our attitude before God. “Humility” best summarizes the implications of both terms. Specifically, gentleness means meekness, mildness, friendliness, and moral strength under control. We are not to be domineering, overbearing, belittling or condescending when witnessing to the unbelievers, but rather we are to speak “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Greg Bahnsen rightly referred to this approach as “humble boldness.”
― Clifford B. McManis, Biblical Apologetics: Advancing and Defending the Gospel of Christ

“Defend the Hope When Peter commanded these believers to give a defense, what were they supposed to defend? Traditional apologists are almost unanimous here. They say the first order of business is “reasoning for the existence of God.”116 Craig says we are to defend the plausibility of God’s existence as being more likely than not.117 That is not at all what Peter was saying in 1 Peter 3:15. Rather, he was commanding all Christians to give a defense for “the hope” that was in them. And what was their “hope”? It was not the plausibility of God’s existence as being more likely than not. Their hope was in Christ.”
― Clifford B. McManis, Biblical Apologetics: Advancing and Defending the Gospel of Christ

“To divorce the work of apologetics from the proclamation of the gospel is to miss the whole point of apologetics.”
― Clifford B. McManis, Biblical Apologetics: Advancing and Defending the Gospel of Christ