Advice to Aspiring Apologists

By Michael Licona

My interest in apologetics arose from my own doubts about the Christian faith. These doubts led me to seek evidence and engage in debates, which I found to be a succinct way to test arguments to see if they could withstand the criticisms of leading skeptics. Initially, it was through casual discussions about faith that I began to see the impact of apologetics. Responding to challenges against Christianity not only helped others but also strengthened my own faith.

My Journey

I asked the director of education at my church if I could teach a Sunday school class on evidence for Christianity. This small step marked the beginning of my journey in public speaking and teaching. The positive response I received encouraged me to continue. As I taught more classes, word of my work spread, leading to opportunities to speak at different churches and youth groups.

As I ventured further into apologetics, I started receiving more invitations to speak. I began to realize the importance of diversifying my audience. Speaking at a variety of venues, from small groups to larger congregations, middle-schoolers to medical students, helped me refine my skills and tailor my message to different audiences.

Advice to Apologists

In my journey, one lesson in particular has stood out: the importance of humility. I learned that being a successful apologist isn't about winning arguments; it's about genuinely seeking to help others understand why the Christian worldview is true.

For those new to apologetics, I recommend starting with local opportunities. Whether it's a church study group or a community event, these experiences are invaluable. They not only build your confidence but also help you understand the common questions and concerns people have about Christianity.

I've also found that continuous learning is crucial in apologetics. Engaging with a wide range of literature, attending conferences, and staying informed about different viewpoints have enriched my understanding and ability to communicate effectively. Once you are getting invited to speak on a fairly regular basis (i.e., a minimum of one time a month), I strongly advise getting professional public speaking training. The SCORRE Conference is worth every penny plus a whole lot more! (visit scorretraining.com).

Spiritual growth is also essential for apologists. We must continually strive to embody the principles of Christianity in our daily lives. This ongoing process of becoming more Christ-like is at the heart of effective apologetics.  An apologist's character is hugely important. Kindness, patience, and a genuine concern for others are vital. I've found that the way we conduct ourselves can have a profound impact on how our message is received.

To conclude, my advice to future apologists is to seek God's guidance, remain patient, and embrace the journey of learning and growth. Apologetics is not just about defending the Christian faith; it's about living it. Be diligent, humble, and ready for the opportunities that will come your way.

— Michael R. Licona (PhD, University of Pretoria) is Professor of New Testament Studies at Houston Christian University. He is the author of numerous books, including the critically acclaimed The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach. Mike is a frequent speaker on university campuses and has engaged in dozens of public debates on the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection. He is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, the Institute for Biblical Research, the Society of Biblical Literature, and the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas.

Photo by Miguel Henriques on Unsplash

---

If you’ve benefited from The Worldview Bulletin and would like to give a one-time donation of any amount, we’d be grateful for your support and encouragement!

---

[sponsored]

On the Resurrection, Volume 1: Evidences

The first volume of Gary Habermas’s magnum opus, On the Resurrection: Evidences represents the culmination of fifty years of research on the probability of Jesus’s resurrection. Using his “minimal facts argument,” Habermas demonstrates why we ought to trust the biblical and historical testimony of Scripture regarding the resurrection. This book is a must-read for pastors, students, and scholars interested in the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“I have closely followed the writings of Gary Habermas over the years—particularly his work on the historicity of Jesus’s bodily resurrection. I consider him its ablest liv- ing defender and so am exceedingly pleased to see the production of the first volume of his magnum opus. This superb tome on the evidences for the resurrection not only displays Habermas’s impressive scholarship, but it also exhibits a lifelong labor of love in service to both the church and the academy.”

— Paul Copan, Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University

See our recent excerpt from On the Resurrection, Volume 1: Evidences here.

Find On the Resurrection, Volume 1: Evidences at Amazon and other major booksellers.

---

"...LIKE GOD?": Post Modern Infatuation With New Age and Neo-Spiritism

“In this thorough and well-researched work, David Sonnesyn brings a lawyer’s mind to the task of exposing and challenging the leading false worldviews of our day. He leaves no heresy unexposed and exposes all of them to the liberating truth of Christianity.”

— Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy and Apologetics at Denver Seminary, author of Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith; Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness—A Philosopher’s Lament; Philosophy in Seven Sentences; and twelve other books.

Find . . . Like God? at Xulon Press, Amazon, and other major booksellers.

---

1^st Century Truths for 21^st Century Minds

Endorsed by Paul Copan and Leland Ryken, the Lifegate English New Testament provides the English-speaking world with an essential literal translation that is true to the original Greek text, but employs the grammar, style, word choice, and visual display that will reach readers with the profound, life-changing truth of Scripture.

Here are the features that make the Lifegate English New Testament great for apologetics use:

Formatting

It makes creative use of fonts, boldfacing, bulleted lists, and indenting to visually show distinct items within the text. Lengthy OT quotes are indented and set off in their own typeface. An abundance of headings makes passages easy to locate.

Syntax

It uses sentence structure that is easily grasped by modern English speaker, while maintaining the literary power of the original language. It is an essentially literal rendering, though some phrases have been re-ordered for comprehension.

Word Choice

Obsolete, archaic words and figures of speech have been replaced with current ones. However, it has not been reduced to a low reading level; it retains its share of medium level vocabulary.

---

“As someone who has been exposed to many translations and paraphrases of the Scriptures throughout my life and who also recommends readable and reliable translations to others, I am pleased to endorse the Lifegate English New Testament as a fresh, important, elegant, accurate, and accessible translation of Scripture. I look forward to using it myself in my regular reading through the Scriptures.”

— Paul Copan, Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics at Palm Beach Atlantic University

---

Readers of The Worldview Bulletin have the opportunity to purchase the Lifegate English New Testament at a special price. You can order your copy via IngramSpark here.

Please contact Warner House Press (lifegate@warner.house) for further info, or for bulk orders.

---

Advertise in The Worldview Bulletin

Do you have a ministry, book, course, conference, or product you’d like to promote to 6,953 Worldview Bulletin readers? Click here to learn how. We’re currently booking for February-March.

---

Would you like to grow in your knowledge of and ability to defend the Christian worldview?

Would you welcome the opportunity to learn from world-class Christian scholars and apologists?

If so, please consider subscribing to The Worldview Bulletin. You’ll receive exclusive articles, access to our full archive of past essays, the ability to join our video tutorials and presentations, as well as stream them at your convenience.

You’ll also be supporting our work of equipping Christians around the world to contend for the faith and demonstrating the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Christian worldview.

If you prefer to give a one-time donation instead, you can do so here.

Thank you!