Evangelism is one of the major themes that dominate the book of Acts. Two of the evangelistic methods that Luke stressed throughout Acts were the miracles performed and apologetics.[1] The latter is what all Christians should be prepared to put forth.[2] Fortunately, we not only have the book of Acts as an example, we also have the entire Scriptures and close to two thousand years of Christian history to assist us in honing our apologetic skills. The theological and apologetic conversation, which has taken place across the ages, provides the foundation from which continuous rethinking draws its strength and integrity.[3] Simply put, we can learn from the likes of Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Anselm and Aquinas. On the other hand, unfortunately, too many Christians are close to being completely ignorant of the continuing narrative of God’s work with his people – the body of Christ – after the biblical narrative ends.[4] I believe that this is where our studies together are vital in continuing the theological conversation of the Scriptures . N.T. Wright puts it most clearly where he writes that those who are engaged in academia are in the ‘knowing’ business and must allow the gospel to challenge and remake their very notions of knowing. He follows up by stating, “All Christians, whatever their vocation, are called to knowledge of God, of themselves, of one another, of the world.”[5] The method of apologetics is an application for all the ages.

[1].  Ajith Fernando, Acts: From Biblical Text– to Contemporary Life, The Niv Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, ©1998), 30.

[2]. 1 Peter 3:15

[3]. Ellen T. Charry, ed., Inquiring After God: Classic and Contemporary Readings, Blackwell Readings in Modern Theology (Oxford: Blackwell, 2000), xxix.

[4]. Roger E. Olson, The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition and Reform (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, ©1999), 11.

[5]. N T. Wright, The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is (Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Books, an imprint of InterVarsity Press, ©2015), 194.