The Gospel Itself Is the Greatest Apologetic

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” -1 Timothy 1:15

Beloved Kinney,

Do you know what apologetics is? It’s the discipline of defending the Christian faith.
Often when we think about defending the Christian faith, what comes to mind is
answering questions of skeptics, like: Is there a Creator? What’s the meaning of life?
Are miracles real? What evidence is there for the resurrection?

These are good questions to answer, but I would propose to you that the great apologetic,
the greatest defense of the Christian faith, is the gospel itself. Sometimes we can get
caught up in important beliefs that pertain to the gospel, but we miss how compelling
the good news of the gospel truly is.

In his book Why Believe? A Reasoned Approach to Christianity, Neil Shenvi writes,
“Most Christians can’t defend the reliability of the Gospels or the historicity of the
resurrection. Very few Christians have studied natural theology. Not all Christians put
their faith in Christ as a result of dreams and visions, or dramatically answered prayer.
But all Christians have an awareness of their sin and a recognition that they need a
Savior.” (pg. 225)

Shenvi argues that (humanly speaking) people become Christians because the main
message of Christianity (the gospel) provides a solution to two deep existential
problems: the problem of my guilt for doing wrong and the problem of my shame for who
I am. Everyone (unless their conscience is so incredibly seared) feels guilt over
wronging doing and shame over inherent filth.

The gospel provides the solution to these two experiences. The solution to the problem
of guilt over wrongdoing is forgiveness. Christ took the punishment for us and provides
complete and total forgiveness for all the wrongs we’ve done.

The solution to the problem of shame is regeneration. God transforms us from being
inherently filthy and having a heart bent towards sin (which results in shame over who
we are) by giving us his Spirit to give us a new heart and make us alive in Christ.

There is no news like the gospel! It is the greatest apologetic. So, as you have
conversation with non-Christians around you, draw out their feelings of guilt and shame,
and then point them to the best news in the world: forgiveness is full and regeneration is
given.

Love,
Pastor Josh