Evangelism & Apologetics

Artificial conceptions of the work of apologetics often lead to the conclusion that it is something other than theology, or Christian philosophy, or evangelism. . . The key will be to recognize differences of degree between these activities and not escalate the into categorical differences of kind. . . Although they work with difference kinds of questions, audiences, or settings, they are nevertheless expressions of the Christian’s underlying approach to intellectual method in general (or epistemology)—one’s view of reasoning, and particularly its relationship to faith. . .

Theology applies the word of God. So does evangelism. So does Christian philosophy. So does apologetics . . . When believers attempt to evangelize unbelievers and bring them to a knowledge of God’s truth, they should themselves be submissive and responsive to that truth, as well as portraying it correctly—or else they will lack persuasiveness (Rom. 2:2, 21–24; 1 Peter 2:12) and will mislead those who are already in the dark (Matt. 15:14; 23:15). . .

As it turns out, the apologist defends what the theologian has learned, with the tools and insights refined by the philosopher, for the evangelistic purpose of seeing the unbeliever’s heart and mind changed.

—Greg Bahnsen, 'Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings & Analysis' (Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1998), 43–44