Apologetics: Romans 1:18-21

How should Christians "do" Apologetics? If we are going to craft some arguments for the existence, nature, and attributes of the Triune God, then where should we begin? To do so, we need not look any further than Paul's opening chapter from Romans.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Man, therefore, knows that God exists. This presupposition is where Christians must start to "do" Apologetics.

An Evangelical-Apologetic, in order to be effective, must be Biblical. A Christian Apologist must start with Scripture (man knows God exists), and, from the outset, consider it a settled matter that, in regards to the men and women with whom he will be conversing, all non-believers have "vain imaginations" and "darkened foolish hearts". Iniquity is wrapped up inside of them. Hence, if a Christian appeals to the ontological or empirical arguments as the primary defense for the existence of God, then he is merely wasting time. God is the base of epistemology (knowledge) because he is the source of all things (the Creator of Creation). This means that knowledge of God's existence is innate knowledge.

True conversion occurs when men and women take their creaturehood seriously and admit "that which may be known of God is manifest in them." When men and women take their creaturehood seriously they stop thirsting for "objective" truth or self-discovered truth, and they stop making their perceptions the measure of all things. They need to be humble before the Lord, whose very image they bear as creatures, and put on the mind of a servant and glorify God and be thankful! The aim of Apologetics is to convert non-believers, to tell ingrates to take their creaturehood seriously by "waking up and smelling the coffee", by tasting and seeing and knowing that the Lord is good!

So, the take away message is this: never concede to an unbeliever that they do not know that God exists. They may begin to shout, they may begin to hop around, and you will begin to think they are doing a rain-dance, but don't allow this to distract you or dull your wits. God says they do know that He exists! If they say they don't know that God exits, then they are both an ingrate and a liar.