I have been asked in the past about the difference between apologetics and evangelism. This is a good question as there is definitely a relationship and yet they are not the same thing.
We can start with definitions. Apologetics is giving a reason for our faith. Evangelism is proclaiming the Good News or Gospel. Apologetics can be and often is a tool for evangelism. The Gospel is shared but there are some questions that are causing some stumbling blocks. Apologetics can then be used to clear away the obstacles.
However, apologetics is not always used in evangelism. Sometimes the Gospel is shared and the person is ready to accept the message immediately. There are other times that apologetics is used without being connected to evangelism. For example, one could use apologetics to argue for the existence of God without sharing the Gospel of what Jesus has done. Apologetics may or may not include a Gospel presentation.
Another difference is that apologetics is not only used with non-Christians. As much as apologetics is a tool for evangelism, it is also a tool for discipleship. For some people, the hard questions do not come up until after the profession of faith. Apologetics has an important role in helping Christians grow more confident in their faith.
So evangelism and apologetics have an important relationship but they should never be confused with each other.
- Apologetics
- Difference Between Apologetics and Evangelism
- Discipleship
