Hey Christian, Don’t Be Afraid of Apologetics
3 Tools of Apologetic Arguments Every Christian Should Know
by Keri Mankos
I have a friend who for years wanted nothing to do with apologetics, even though she practiced it every day. I get it. But let me tell you, you don’t need a theology degree or a shelf full of philosophy books, but you do need to learn (yes, you can learn it) to talk intelligently about your faith. Apologetics isn’t about winning arguments or throwing around fancy words. It’s simply about being ready to give a thoughtful, respectful answer when someone asks why you believe what you believe. The word apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia, which means “a defense,” not an apology like saying “I’m sorry,” but rather a reasoned explanation.
In 1 Peter 3:15, the Bible tells us:
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
That’s apologetics in its purest form: giving the reason for your hope, with humility and grace. You don’t have to know everything. You don’t have to speak like a scholar. What matters is being confident that your faith is not blind and that it’s built on truth, evidence, and experience. Christianity can stand up to tough questions. That’s not something to fear. So, don’t let big words or deep questions intimidate you. Apologetics is for everyday believers: students, parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to follow Jesus with both heart and mind.
Let me give you just three simple apologetic tools that can help better understand how to use logic and reason to build confidence in the Christian faith and to help explain that faith clearly when questions come your way.
1. The Cosmological Argument
The universe had a beginning → it needs a cause → that cause is God.
This argument shows that God is infinitely powerful. If everything that begins to exist has a cause, and the universe began to exist, then it, too, must have a cause beyond space, time, and matter. That cause must be God.
2. The Teleological Argument (Argument from Design)
The world shows design → design implies purpose → humans were made for something.
This points to a God who is infinitely intelligent. Just like a painting points to a painter or a book to an author, the design in creation points to a Designer. And the more we study the universe—from galaxies to the human cell—the more we see precision, order, and purpose… not randomness. So, is there evidence of our design as human beings or of intentionality in the world around us? Absolutely.
3. The Moral Argument
Real moral values exist → they require a moral lawgiver → that lawgiver is God.
This shows that God is infinitely moral. If objective moral truths exist, like “murder is wrong” or “love is good,” then they can’t just come from opinion, culture, or feelings. They point to a deeper source: God’s unchanging moral nature. Now, here’s where this really hits home. We live in a time when culture often says, “That’s your truth, and this is mine.” But that kind of thinking, called relativism, doesn’t hold up. Because truth isn’t something we invent; it’s something we discover. If I say the sky is green, it doesn’t make it true just because I feel that way.
This is where The Correspondence Theory of Truth comes in. It simply says that a statement is true if it matches reality. And that’s important—because if truth exists outside of us, if it’s objective, then we are accountable to it. That includes truths about identity, purpose, and mental health. And here’s a key point: Relativism defeats itself. If someone says, “There is no absolute truth,” ask them, “Is that absolutely true? “ You can’t deny truth without using it. That tells us something powerful: truth matters.
And truth isn’t just about abstract facts. It shapes how we live. It influences how we treat others, what we value, and how we make decisions. That’s why morality can’t just be a social construct. Christianity teaches that morality comes from God’s nature, not just from culture or emotion. So here’s the big question: If there is no God, who decides what’s right and wrong? Why is love good and cruelty evil? The moral argument reminds us that objective moral laws require an objective Lawgiver, and that Lawgiver is God.
Why This All Matters
This matters not only for philosophy or theology but for mental health too. Because mental health isn’t just about feeling better, it is about living in line with what’s real and true. When we live according to truth about God, about ourselves, and about right and wrong, we find purpose, identity, and hope. Apologetics helps us get there, not by complicating our faith, but by clarifying it.
Resources:
Geisler, N. L., & Turek, F. (2004). I don't have enough faith to be an atheist. Crossway.
New International Bible (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1978).
