This coming Friday, I am responding to an invitation to address the youth group in my church with An Introduction to Apologetics. I am a little uncomfortable as I am aware that my pastor is not a fan of apologetics.
Thank you for your interest. Sometimes it is hard to gauge the internal response of teens. The Q&A was less than spectacular. The encouragement from the youth leaders to evangelism was promising.
Thank you for this. Mentorship is such a huge need in our individualistic society. I have friends in ministry that are up to their eyeballs in serving, and I’m also thankful when they take time out of their schedule to help mentor me, let me ask questions etc.
I like the response but think the original question misses a key element.
This isn't a zero sum game. There is no need to "make way" for younger apologists.
In fact, sound and intellectually hospitable apologetics has a supply problem. There isn't enough of it.
So I like how the response rephrases it as "making a way," which is different.
I certainly hope "senior" apologists don't feel like they need to "make way" for younger ones when all concerned would be better off if they "make a way" instead.
Nice, Grant! I appreciate all of these thoughts, but especially the point that it isn’t a zero sum game. If I help someone else, I don’t lose out on anything. Rather, we both gain something.
I recently launched a website of essays, which I have worked on over many years, which are primarily focused on Christian apologetics. These cover a host of issues which are likely to come up for either young or old apologist. These include the nature of salvation, works versus grace, Miracles, suffering, dealing with atheism, postmodernism, hell, and Christian testimonies, including Christian artists. I believe this would be a very good resource for younger apologetics. anyway, check out if you’re interested: https://doctor-is-in.org The Doctor Is In.
I write on faith (primarily Christianity), culture, medicine, and worldviews. Love to connect!
I've been a Christian apologist for almost 54 years and am approaching my 80's. I'm not sure when I became a 'senior apologist,' but guessing it happened when I wasn't looking :) All of us will become 'seniors' at some point, so it's important that we disciple the next generations who will follow in our footsteps. All of my apologist mentors have gone on to Heaven, so I understand the importance of passing along what we know. Two of my mentors wrote many books, did radio and television programs, and a lot of public speaking. I learned a lot from them about my responsibility to the next generations. I became involved with the Christian Apologetics Alliance, Ratio Christi, Engage 360, and other apologetics groups years ago with that in mind. Those kinds of groups are great training grounds for preparing the next generations of apologists. I also recommend that 'senior apologists' write articles, books, blogs, record podcasts, make videos, go on radio and TV, etc. We can leave a treasure trove of information and advice for the next generations. I'm working with a local Christian school to donate many of my apologetics books to their Bible Teaching program. We can also support young apologists with our money, ideas, and guidance. We can help them start their own apologetics ministries that will live on long after we're gone. I think there is so much we can do in our country and across the world. There are so many pastors in other countries who are interested in apologetics. Let's not forget that Jesus told us to take His Gospel to every corner of this planet. I look at the examples of Jesus and His apostles. They didn't retire. They kept going until God called them Home. Two things stand out to me as being of utmost importance for any 'senior apologist:' glorify God in all that you do, and finish the work He has given you to do on earth. Thank you, Mary Jo!
This coming Friday, I am responding to an invitation to address the youth group in my church with An Introduction to Apologetics. I am a little uncomfortable as I am aware that my pastor is not a fan of apologetics.
I appreciate that you are willing to take up the invitation! I hope it went well.
Thank you for your interest. Sometimes it is hard to gauge the internal response of teens. The Q&A was less than spectacular. The encouragement from the youth leaders to evangelism was promising.
Thank you for this. Mentorship is such a huge need in our individualistic society. I have friends in ministry that are up to their eyeballs in serving, and I’m also thankful when they take time out of their schedule to help mentor me, let me ask questions etc.
I like the response but think the original question misses a key element.
This isn't a zero sum game. There is no need to "make way" for younger apologists.
In fact, sound and intellectually hospitable apologetics has a supply problem. There isn't enough of it.
So I like how the response rephrases it as "making a way," which is different.
I certainly hope "senior" apologists don't feel like they need to "make way" for younger ones when all concerned would be better off if they "make a way" instead.
Nice, Grant! I appreciate all of these thoughts, but especially the point that it isn’t a zero sum game. If I help someone else, I don’t lose out on anything. Rather, we both gain something.
I recently launched a website of essays, which I have worked on over many years, which are primarily focused on Christian apologetics. These cover a host of issues which are likely to come up for either young or old apologist. These include the nature of salvation, works versus grace, Miracles, suffering, dealing with atheism, postmodernism, hell, and Christian testimonies, including Christian artists. I believe this would be a very good resource for younger apologetics. anyway, check out if you’re interested: https://doctor-is-in.org The Doctor Is In.
I write on faith (primarily Christianity), culture, medicine, and worldviews. Love to connect!
I've been a Christian apologist for almost 54 years and am approaching my 80's. I'm not sure when I became a 'senior apologist,' but guessing it happened when I wasn't looking :) All of us will become 'seniors' at some point, so it's important that we disciple the next generations who will follow in our footsteps. All of my apologist mentors have gone on to Heaven, so I understand the importance of passing along what we know. Two of my mentors wrote many books, did radio and television programs, and a lot of public speaking. I learned a lot from them about my responsibility to the next generations. I became involved with the Christian Apologetics Alliance, Ratio Christi, Engage 360, and other apologetics groups years ago with that in mind. Those kinds of groups are great training grounds for preparing the next generations of apologists. I also recommend that 'senior apologists' write articles, books, blogs, record podcasts, make videos, go on radio and TV, etc. We can leave a treasure trove of information and advice for the next generations. I'm working with a local Christian school to donate many of my apologetics books to their Bible Teaching program. We can also support young apologists with our money, ideas, and guidance. We can help them start their own apologetics ministries that will live on long after we're gone. I think there is so much we can do in our country and across the world. There are so many pastors in other countries who are interested in apologetics. Let's not forget that Jesus told us to take His Gospel to every corner of this planet. I look at the examples of Jesus and His apostles. They didn't retire. They kept going until God called them Home. Two things stand out to me as being of utmost importance for any 'senior apologist:' glorify God in all that you do, and finish the work He has given you to do on earth. Thank you, Mary Jo!