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Expository Apologetics: Answering Objections with the Power of the Word
Apologetics is for everyone.
The Bible is clear that all believers are called to defend their faith. However, if apologetics is the formal process that we have come to expect, this sounds like an impossible task. But what if apologetics could be part of natural, normal conversation--both from the pulpit and in everyday life?
Aimed at preparing you to clearly and confidently defend your faith, Expository Apologetics sets forth an approach to apologetics that is rooted in Scripture and eminently accessible. Filled with real-world examples and practical advice, this book will equip you with the tools you need to think biblically and converse persuasively--offering unbelievers "a reason for the hope that is in you."
The Bible is clear that all believers are called to defend their faith. However, if apologetics is the formal process that we have come to expect, this sounds like an impossible task. But what if apologetics could be part of natural, normal conversation--both from the pulpit and in everyday life?
Aimed at preparing you to clearly and confidently defend your faith, Expository Apologetics sets forth an approach to apologetics that is rooted in Scripture and eminently accessible. Filled with real-world examples and practical advice, this book will equip you with the tools you need to think biblically and converse persuasively--offering unbelievers "a reason for the hope that is in you."
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2015
468 people are currently reading
2419 people want to read
About the author
Voddie T. Baucham Jr.
29 books777 followersVoddie Baucham wears many hats. He is a husband, father, pastor, author, professor, conference speaker and church planter. He currently serves as Pastor of Preaching at Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, TX. He has served as an adjunct professor at the College of Biblical Studies in Houston, TX, and Union University in Jackson, TN. He has also lectured at Southern Seminary.
Voddie makes the Bible clear and demonstrates the relevance of God’s word to everyday life. However, he does so without compromising the centrality of Christ and the gospel. Those who hear him preach find themselves both challenged and encouraged.
Voddie’s area of emphasis is Cultural Apologetics. Whether teaching on classical apologetic issues like the validity and historicity of the Bible, or the resurrection of Christ; or teaching on biblical manhood/ womanhood, marriage and family, he helps ordinary people understand the significance of thinking and living biblically in every area of life.
It is impossible to understand Voddie’s approach to the Bible without first understanding the path he has walked. Raised in a non-Christian, single-parent home, Voddie did not hear the gospel until he was in college. His journey to faith was a very unusual and intellectual one. Consequently, he understands what it means to be a skeptic, and knows what it’s like to try to figure out the Christian life without relying on the traditions of men. As a result, he speaks to ‘outsiders’ in ways few Bible teachers can.
Voddie Baucham holds degrees from Houston Baptist University (BA in Christianity/BA in Sociology), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min.), an honorary degree from Southern California Seminary (D.D.), and additional post-graduate study at the University of Oxford, England (Regent’s Park College).
Voddie and his wife, Bridget have been married since 1989. They have six children, Jasmine L. Holmes, Trey (Voddie, III), Elijah, Asher, Judah, and Micah. They are committed home educators.
Voddie makes the Bible clear and demonstrates the relevance of God’s word to everyday life. However, he does so without compromising the centrality of Christ and the gospel. Those who hear him preach find themselves both challenged and encouraged.
Voddie’s area of emphasis is Cultural Apologetics. Whether teaching on classical apologetic issues like the validity and historicity of the Bible, or the resurrection of Christ; or teaching on biblical manhood/ womanhood, marriage and family, he helps ordinary people understand the significance of thinking and living biblically in every area of life.
It is impossible to understand Voddie’s approach to the Bible without first understanding the path he has walked. Raised in a non-Christian, single-parent home, Voddie did not hear the gospel until he was in college. His journey to faith was a very unusual and intellectual one. Consequently, he understands what it means to be a skeptic, and knows what it’s like to try to figure out the Christian life without relying on the traditions of men. As a result, he speaks to ‘outsiders’ in ways few Bible teachers can.
Voddie Baucham holds degrees from Houston Baptist University (BA in Christianity/BA in Sociology), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min.), an honorary degree from Southern California Seminary (D.D.), and additional post-graduate study at the University of Oxford, England (Regent’s Park College).
Voddie and his wife, Bridget have been married since 1989. They have six children, Jasmine L. Holmes, Trey (Voddie, III), Elijah, Asher, Judah, and Micah. They are committed home educators.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
December 7, 2022
I've read a number of Voddie Baucham's books, always enjoying them, but always finding them to be too basic, and a little too thin on content. Don't get me wrong, they serve a need in the church, but I was slow to pick this title up for this reason, having already read fairly widely in presuppositional apologetics. I thought, what could he write that wouldn't be retreading ground that others haven't already done better than Baucham could do?
Well, I stand corrected, and quite amazed. This is a GREAT book. This is precisely the book the contemporary church has needed for many years. "Expository Apologetics" should be studied in every church in America.
The book begins with the basics--introducing apologetics, and Baucham's approach to apologetics, and why he calls it "expository apologetics." He defines it as, "First, it is about being biblical. We answer objections with the power of the Word. Second, it is about being easy to remember. If we can’t remember this simplicity, we won’t use it in our everyday encounters. Third, it is about being conversational. We must be able to share truth in a manner that is natural, reasonable, and winsome."
He has some very insightful things to say, which in a way, make the task of apologetics easier than most might think. For example, he writes, "...the gospel, by its very nature, is limited and limiting." What he means, is that there is no new revelation--we have it all in the Bible, and that is what we must defend. We don't need to defend what every Christian past or present has said or done. We don't need to defend the beliefs of all churches. We need only know God's Word and hold firm to it, using it as our authority and articulating what it says.
Baucham doesn't get into the technicalities of presuppositional apologetics, and he's even forthright in his admiration for John Frame, and quotes Van Til. But most readers will not recognize these things, nor do they need to. It is there for further study, and for those, like me, who want to know more about his apologetic method.
He's very clear about the importance of presuppositions--the things that people believe, and control the way they interpret everything. He writes, "We stand before people who have been bombarded every day of their lives by philosophies of life that contradict Christianity. When they open their Bibles, they are rarely aware of how many presuppositions they bring to the encounter, let alone how contradictory they are. They need someone willing to vindicate a Christian philosophy of life."
Baucham is at his best, taking a big idea (presuppositional apologetics) and showing the average Christian why apologetics is important even to them, what they need to know, and how to do it. Baucham's approach is very practical and winsome. He's clear that apologetics is for all Christians, but that doesn't mean everything you might think it means. Parents are apologists and must be ready "to give an answer" to their children. This is as good a book as parents will find on how to do this.
In some of the best sections of the book, he lays to rest some of the myths of apologetics. For example, many use apologetics to make Christians seem like nice, normal people, trying to win their sympathy, if not win them to Christ. But Baucham straight up says, "...apologetics is not a tool to make people like or accept us." We ought not "believe that if we just make the right argument, refute the right falsehood, and set forth the right set of facts, then people will bow the knee and surrender to Christ—or at least lay down their weapons and leave us alone...the opposite is actually more likely. Instead of being a tool that alleviates the tension between us and the world, apologetics is often a tool that heightens that tension."
He later writes:
"Apologetics is ultimately an expression of our willingness to suffer rather than compromise. It is the explanation for our suffering, both in terms of why we suffer and how we suffer. Apologetics is our answer to those at whose hands we suffer as well as those who witness our suffering. Apologetics says to a watching world, “We have been captured by something so profound that we are willing not only to be considered fools, but to suffer as such.”"
At its root, expository apologetics is about getting to the gospel with people. Baucham writes, "our goal is to engage in discussion, not debate. We are helping people see the holes in their reasoning while at the same time demonstrating the coherence in our own."
The Christian worldview is coherent, rational, and truthful. Only the Christian worldview is those things. Again, this is presuppositional apologetics 101, but Baucham presents it for the layman, not for the amateur philosopher.
Baucham writes, "We can assume that all people, unless they are arguing from a biblical worldview/perspective, will have holes in their logic. We assume this because “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7). Moreover, we know that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). Therefore, the fool who believes there is no God (Prov. 14:1; 53:1) or claims to be wise apart from God (Rom. 1:22), will always be amiss in his assessment of the way things are. And if we listen long enough, and carefully enough, we will hear it."
Where is the average Christian hearing that today? Are they hearing that? I doubt it. But this is one of the most important things Christians need to hear. They need to hear it not to Lord it over the unbeliever, but to boldly face down a culture that is constantly telling Christians they are intellectual Neanderthals, behind the times, antiquated, provincial, etc.
There is a chapter on what apologists need to know--mainly the Bible, but creeds and catechisms are critical distillations of orthodox Christian belief that will aid the apologist immensely. There is a chapter on the 10 Commandments and how to use the law to show the unbeliever their own reliance upon God's law in their own morality. The last three chapters of the book are excellent practical guides on how to do expository apologetics.
And the appendix, is a sermon, from Leviticus, demonstrating Baucham's technique to use the Bible in expository apologetics that is outstanding.
This is likely the most important book of the year for Christians to read and study. I can't recommend it highly enough. Since reading Greg Bahnsen's "Van Til" I've been looking for the best introduction to presuppositional apologetics, and this is most definitely THE book. There are great books available for those that want to move on from this one, but I firmly believe that most readers already familiar with Bahnsen, Frame, and Van Til will find material here that will prove to be of great value.
Well, I stand corrected, and quite amazed. This is a GREAT book. This is precisely the book the contemporary church has needed for many years. "Expository Apologetics" should be studied in every church in America.
The book begins with the basics--introducing apologetics, and Baucham's approach to apologetics, and why he calls it "expository apologetics." He defines it as, "First, it is about being biblical. We answer objections with the power of the Word. Second, it is about being easy to remember. If we can’t remember this simplicity, we won’t use it in our everyday encounters. Third, it is about being conversational. We must be able to share truth in a manner that is natural, reasonable, and winsome."
He has some very insightful things to say, which in a way, make the task of apologetics easier than most might think. For example, he writes, "...the gospel, by its very nature, is limited and limiting." What he means, is that there is no new revelation--we have it all in the Bible, and that is what we must defend. We don't need to defend what every Christian past or present has said or done. We don't need to defend the beliefs of all churches. We need only know God's Word and hold firm to it, using it as our authority and articulating what it says.
Baucham doesn't get into the technicalities of presuppositional apologetics, and he's even forthright in his admiration for John Frame, and quotes Van Til. But most readers will not recognize these things, nor do they need to. It is there for further study, and for those, like me, who want to know more about his apologetic method.
He's very clear about the importance of presuppositions--the things that people believe, and control the way they interpret everything. He writes, "We stand before people who have been bombarded every day of their lives by philosophies of life that contradict Christianity. When they open their Bibles, they are rarely aware of how many presuppositions they bring to the encounter, let alone how contradictory they are. They need someone willing to vindicate a Christian philosophy of life."
Baucham is at his best, taking a big idea (presuppositional apologetics) and showing the average Christian why apologetics is important even to them, what they need to know, and how to do it. Baucham's approach is very practical and winsome. He's clear that apologetics is for all Christians, but that doesn't mean everything you might think it means. Parents are apologists and must be ready "to give an answer" to their children. This is as good a book as parents will find on how to do this.
In some of the best sections of the book, he lays to rest some of the myths of apologetics. For example, many use apologetics to make Christians seem like nice, normal people, trying to win their sympathy, if not win them to Christ. But Baucham straight up says, "...apologetics is not a tool to make people like or accept us." We ought not "believe that if we just make the right argument, refute the right falsehood, and set forth the right set of facts, then people will bow the knee and surrender to Christ—or at least lay down their weapons and leave us alone...the opposite is actually more likely. Instead of being a tool that alleviates the tension between us and the world, apologetics is often a tool that heightens that tension."
He later writes:
"Apologetics is ultimately an expression of our willingness to suffer rather than compromise. It is the explanation for our suffering, both in terms of why we suffer and how we suffer. Apologetics is our answer to those at whose hands we suffer as well as those who witness our suffering. Apologetics says to a watching world, “We have been captured by something so profound that we are willing not only to be considered fools, but to suffer as such.”"
At its root, expository apologetics is about getting to the gospel with people. Baucham writes, "our goal is to engage in discussion, not debate. We are helping people see the holes in their reasoning while at the same time demonstrating the coherence in our own."
The Christian worldview is coherent, rational, and truthful. Only the Christian worldview is those things. Again, this is presuppositional apologetics 101, but Baucham presents it for the layman, not for the amateur philosopher.
Baucham writes, "We can assume that all people, unless they are arguing from a biblical worldview/perspective, will have holes in their logic. We assume this because “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7). Moreover, we know that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). Therefore, the fool who believes there is no God (Prov. 14:1; 53:1) or claims to be wise apart from God (Rom. 1:22), will always be amiss in his assessment of the way things are. And if we listen long enough, and carefully enough, we will hear it."
Where is the average Christian hearing that today? Are they hearing that? I doubt it. But this is one of the most important things Christians need to hear. They need to hear it not to Lord it over the unbeliever, but to boldly face down a culture that is constantly telling Christians they are intellectual Neanderthals, behind the times, antiquated, provincial, etc.
There is a chapter on what apologists need to know--mainly the Bible, but creeds and catechisms are critical distillations of orthodox Christian belief that will aid the apologist immensely. There is a chapter on the 10 Commandments and how to use the law to show the unbeliever their own reliance upon God's law in their own morality. The last three chapters of the book are excellent practical guides on how to do expository apologetics.
And the appendix, is a sermon, from Leviticus, demonstrating Baucham's technique to use the Bible in expository apologetics that is outstanding.
This is likely the most important book of the year for Christians to read and study. I can't recommend it highly enough. Since reading Greg Bahnsen's "Van Til" I've been looking for the best introduction to presuppositional apologetics, and this is most definitely THE book. There are great books available for those that want to move on from this one, but I firmly believe that most readers already familiar with Bahnsen, Frame, and Van Til will find material here that will prove to be of great value.
March 8, 2023
Apologetics (knowing the what and why of your faith and being able to defend it) is a crucial part of the Christian life and goes hand in hand with evangelism.
Read for my youth group - I actually finished it a few weeks ago. Highly, highly recommended.
Read for my youth group - I actually finished it a few weeks ago. Highly, highly recommended.
September 10, 2018
This was an incredibly helpful read by Dr. Baucham. Apart from the importance of the subject matter, I was pleased with the flow. It was like listening to him preach.
SPOILER ALERT: The point of the book which was surprising to me, is that apologetics is less about proving anything, even God's existence, and more about conveying a consistent worldview that is based upon the good news of Christ and God's sovereignty. In technical terms, Voddie obviously believes in a coherent view of truth which is actually quite comforting. This means that he, unlike many apologists today, doesn't buy into proving the indemonstrable premise of the Christian faith; that being God. He doesn't believe in appealing to evidence, or a faulty basis of knowledge. He appeals to God directly through His Word.
Scripture makes it quite clear that the unregenerate have just enough knowledge to condemn them, but not enough to save; and that only through the conveyance of the Gospel and by the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit can a person believe the Gospel, and its subsequent theorems. Voddie doesn't leave room for sophistry or elaborate arguments that go beyond the purview of the Christian's calling in "giving a reason (or 'reasoned defense') for the hope one has."
Though Voddie doesn't speak in such technical terms, the ideas are clearly there. Especially when he speaks to the issue of preparation and in always being prepared to give an answer, but with love and patience. He demonstrates that catechisms are key in preparing Christians for evangelical interactions in this regard. Despite whatever doctrinal tradition to which one holds, catechesis is important because it brings to the forefront a systematic layout of Christian belief. I (along with Voddie) hold to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith; and with it, I use various Baptistic catechisms (Keach, Spurgeon, etc.) for a general study of the Scriptures to answer various questions that may come from genuine inquirers outside of the faith.
This is the main point of Dr. Baucham's book; to catechize and to be catechized. Do whatever it takes to have nailed down the propositions of Scripture that make up the Christian worldview. Memorize Scripture, or at the very least, the citations so you can have somewhere to turn.
In fact, this is something I wish I would have been taught in my so-called Worldview Class at university. Instead of being well versed in the rudimentary concepts of Scripture and in at least being able to cite the Scriptural sources of these concepts, I was inundated with a scattered system that was almost too incoherent for practical purposes. In this, I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing where to go in Scripture for answers.
The biggest takeaway is that you need to prepare for your evangelical encounters by knowing some sort of catechism that's consistent with your doctrinal tradition; even if you're non-denominational. But if you have some sort of weird aversion for creeds, confessions, and catechisms, then this book isn't for you. I recommend you start with Arden Hodgins' book defending Confessionalism. I wish you Godspeed.
SPOILER ALERT: The point of the book which was surprising to me, is that apologetics is less about proving anything, even God's existence, and more about conveying a consistent worldview that is based upon the good news of Christ and God's sovereignty. In technical terms, Voddie obviously believes in a coherent view of truth which is actually quite comforting. This means that he, unlike many apologists today, doesn't buy into proving the indemonstrable premise of the Christian faith; that being God. He doesn't believe in appealing to evidence, or a faulty basis of knowledge. He appeals to God directly through His Word.
Scripture makes it quite clear that the unregenerate have just enough knowledge to condemn them, but not enough to save; and that only through the conveyance of the Gospel and by the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit can a person believe the Gospel, and its subsequent theorems. Voddie doesn't leave room for sophistry or elaborate arguments that go beyond the purview of the Christian's calling in "giving a reason (or 'reasoned defense') for the hope one has."
Though Voddie doesn't speak in such technical terms, the ideas are clearly there. Especially when he speaks to the issue of preparation and in always being prepared to give an answer, but with love and patience. He demonstrates that catechisms are key in preparing Christians for evangelical interactions in this regard. Despite whatever doctrinal tradition to which one holds, catechesis is important because it brings to the forefront a systematic layout of Christian belief. I (along with Voddie) hold to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith; and with it, I use various Baptistic catechisms (Keach, Spurgeon, etc.) for a general study of the Scriptures to answer various questions that may come from genuine inquirers outside of the faith.
This is the main point of Dr. Baucham's book; to catechize and to be catechized. Do whatever it takes to have nailed down the propositions of Scripture that make up the Christian worldview. Memorize Scripture, or at the very least, the citations so you can have somewhere to turn.
In fact, this is something I wish I would have been taught in my so-called Worldview Class at university. Instead of being well versed in the rudimentary concepts of Scripture and in at least being able to cite the Scriptural sources of these concepts, I was inundated with a scattered system that was almost too incoherent for practical purposes. In this, I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing where to go in Scripture for answers.
The biggest takeaway is that you need to prepare for your evangelical encounters by knowing some sort of catechism that's consistent with your doctrinal tradition; even if you're non-denominational. But if you have some sort of weird aversion for creeds, confessions, and catechisms, then this book isn't for you. I recommend you start with Arden Hodgins' book defending Confessionalism. I wish you Godspeed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2018
Don't let the scholarly-sounding title fool you! This is a very accessible book on how to explain what you believe and why you believe it in a way that is natural and winsome. Using 1 Peter 3:16 as the central text, Baucham puts that verse in context with the preceding paragraph (vv. 8-12) with regards to the identity, attitude, speech, and character of the apologist. He discusses the relevance of the Old Testament law, answers to common objections to the Christian faith, and finally gives practical and easy-to-remember advice on approaching conversations about faith, what he calls the "expository apologetic waltz". Always, Baucham keeps the gospel at the center of his discussion and reminds readers that it is not their job to come out on top of an argument or win people to Christ through superior logic, the goal is to give a reason for the hope that is in us and point others to the saving power of Jesus, then let the Holy Spirit take care of the rest through the power of the Word.
November 7, 2025
Here is a biblical, easy to remember, conversational approach to apologetics based on the presuppositional model. Baucham did a good job at reminding us that we are all to be engaged in apologetics, that it is not just for the super-smart, and he shows very practical ways that every believer can grow in this important aspect of our Christian walk.
June 5, 2025
A foundational book for understanding presuppositional apologetics. And yet, Voddie does not merely teach how to win logical arguments, but emphasizes the need for salvation and regeneration to occur before a spiritually dead person can be convinced of anything. Loved his focus on apologetics not merely as a tool for winning arguments, but as a tool for winning souls.
"Any approach to apologetics that is not centered around the gospel is insufficient. What good does it do for me to convince a man that the earth is young if I don't convince him he is a sinner in need of a savior? What good does it do to reason with him in an effort to win him to theism if that theism remains undefined? What good does it do to convince a man that Jesus really lived if I don't tell him that Jesus really died and rose again? And what good does it do if I walk away from an interaction having won an argument, but lost a soul?...in short, I want to win the person, not just the argument. And the only thing that can accomplish that is the gospel."
"Any approach to apologetics that is not centered around the gospel is insufficient. What good does it do for me to convince a man that the earth is young if I don't convince him he is a sinner in need of a savior? What good does it do to reason with him in an effort to win him to theism if that theism remains undefined? What good does it do to convince a man that Jesus really lived if I don't tell him that Jesus really died and rose again? And what good does it do if I walk away from an interaction having won an argument, but lost a soul?...in short, I want to win the person, not just the argument. And the only thing that can accomplish that is the gospel."
February 14, 2024
I really appreciated the gentleness from this giant. It came across truly as the work of the Holy Spirit, and the tone of the book, especially understanding where he's come from, was a great challenge.
Although he repeatedly made the point that this is an "everyman's calling," I still came away feeling like I have a LOT to learn. That's good, but perhaps a bit less approachable than he was hoping. The creeds/catechism chapters were great, but jarred me out of the flow. I totally see how they fit in the broader arguments of the book, but the entire flow was a bit disjointed to me. Not that it is bad; just an observation.
Overall, I love any book that will jar me out of my bubble and encourage me to reach the world for Christ. This did that, especially at the end.
Although he repeatedly made the point that this is an "everyman's calling," I still came away feeling like I have a LOT to learn. That's good, but perhaps a bit less approachable than he was hoping. The creeds/catechism chapters were great, but jarred me out of the flow. I totally see how they fit in the broader arguments of the book, but the entire flow was a bit disjointed to me. Not that it is bad; just an observation.
Overall, I love any book that will jar me out of my bubble and encourage me to reach the world for Christ. This did that, especially at the end.
November 5, 2020
A masterpiece. I devoured this book and immediately want to read it again to remember what I took note of the first time around. Baucham does an excellent job explaining why and how our defense of the gospel and the Christian faith must come from the truth of Scripture. This book accomplishes its goal of motivating its readers to search the Scriptures, identify potential objections, and know how to answer them graciously. The goal is not to be right, but to shine the light of the gospel so that the Holy Spirit might bring our objectors to saving faith in Jesus Christ. This is apologetics founded and built up the right way.
August 2, 2022
This may be the best book on apologetics I have read yet. Written for the laity and not distracted by in-house apologetics debates, this book presents a theological and practical exhortation to biblical apologetics that instills the reader with a greater confidence in the Word. Christians do not need to memorize every possible counter-argument or master every field of debate; they need to be firmly grounded in the Gospel and stand consistently on the Scripture. Being Reformed Baptist and Presuppositional myself, I greatly appreciate much of what Dr. Baucham has to say. I would say that he has a more optimistic view of our nation's religious and moral heritage than I do, but the book as a whole is gold.
September 15, 2023
Based on 1 Peter 3:15, Baucham shows us just HOW we can defend the faith biblically. He gives Paul as an example and suggests memorizing the 10 Commandments (good idea!) and also being familiar and even memorizing some of the Catechisms, Confessions of Faith and Creeds. He ends with the difference between moral, ceremonial and civil law in the OT and why we follow some today and not others. Sadly, I didn't come out with a clear understanding of the differences, especially between civil and ceremonial laws. I really think this is a good book. Maybe I just need to go back and read it again!
March 9, 2023
This is the second time I've read through this book. It is a wealth of encouragement, knowledge, and practical ideas for a "how to do" apologetics. I've used it time and again in training men and women to do the work of a Christian in the sharing of the faith. This book is accessible to the laymen and useful to the busy pastor.
Baucham is one of those men that can take big concepts and really bring them down to the blue collar level and yet still challenge you in the process! Truly worth the read, give it a chance!
Baucham is one of those men that can take big concepts and really bring them down to the blue collar level and yet still challenge you in the process! Truly worth the read, give it a chance!
April 9, 2024
I’ve historically leaned more toward classical apologetics, but this is a version of presuppositional apologetics I can get behind. I love the emphases on getting back to the word, using creeds, confessions, and catechisms as summaries of the word, and always bringing the conversation back to the gospel. Thinking as an expository apologist is surely a helpful tool for any teacher of preacher of the word for the benefit of the listeners.
June 9, 2016
The list of adjectives I could use for this book should be quite long. It is a practical Presuppositional apologetic book that I will use over and over again. Spectacular, convicting, biblical, exceptional and I could go on and on. Go buy this book
January 15, 2025
The first part of the book set up the need and mindset we should have as apologists, but the second half of the book failed to exemplify it well. I think it would have been better to use more examples and show more clearly how exposition should flow to the giving of the gospel.
January 1, 2023
Lay level introduction to presuppositional apologetics.
March 22, 2023
Was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed his take on biblical, practical apologetics. Would definitely recommend! Hard to put down once I started.
October 30, 2023
Audiobook: super informative and biblically grounded. Definitely want a physical copy of this one
November 25, 2022
Looking for an introductory book on apologetics as it is driven by a biblical worldview? This book should be on your reading list. The author wrote this book for everyday Christians to be equipped to defend the faith; I love how Voddie here sees a place for specialists in apologetics and yet there is the need for all Christians to defend their faith. Apologetics isn’t for “special forces” Christians, something Voddie have expressed several times in the book, but for all Christians. It is a discipline of every believer and yet apologetics must be done in a biblical way. To that I say amen! The apologetics method Voddie Bauchman advocate for here is largely presuppositional apologetics and I was pleasantly surprised to see the book mentioned Cornelius Van Til, John Frame and Sye TenBruggencate.
The book begins with an introduction that explain how the book came about. The first chapter is on what expository apologetics is and the next chapter covers First Peter Chapter Three and what is the essence of apologetics. Chapter three is on “Why Unbelief?” which looks at unbelief from a biblical perspective taking into account Romans 1 and how people do know God while they are still not Christians. Chapter four look at the Apostle Paul’s expository apologetics, surveying Paul’s methodology in Romans and Acts 17. Chapter five is on learning apologetics and I love how he points out historic Church creeds were historically to defend the faith and refute heresies. Chapter six is on the Ten Commandments and also moral and ethics as a case for the Biblical worldview. Chapter seven is a response to basic objections while chapter eight is titled “The Expository Apologetics Vaults” on the method of starting and handling apologetics’ conversations. Chapter nine is on preaching and teaching expository apologetics and here Voddie Bauchman talks about how to prepare sermons and teaching lessons with the slant of doing expository apologetics.
There are things I appreciate about the book. It is very biblical in its flavoring, and for those who find some Presuppositional Apologetics introductory work to be too philosophical this might be a good book to start. I appreciate the author looking at 1 Peter 3:15 in its paragraph context and the context of 1 Peter as an overall epistle. In particular I like how Bauchman points out the persecution dimensions with apologetics; he even pointed out how people will persecute Christians and apologetics can heighten that tension rather than alleviate the tension. Still we are to be faithful with sharing the Gospel and defending the faith.
I also appreciated Voddie mentioning his spiritual journey throughout the book such as his conversion, his days in the NFL and also being a father. He talked about learning from RTS Itunes listening to John Frame’s lectures on Christian ethics and when he wrote that it stood out to me since some have discovered the richness of Presuppositional Apologetics through the same way. It makes it easier to identify with the author, and the importance of continuously learning even if one thinks oneself as knowing a lot already.
This book is also helpful with discussions about practical apologetics conversations. For example I like how Voddie taught the importance of summarizing generously and challenge an unbeliever gently. I thought also his last chapter was also unique compared to other Presuppositional apologetics books out there in that the author discusses about teaching apologetics and not just applying apologetics to nonbelievers. As I read this chapter I thought about what a wonderful opportunity God has given us to multiply the work of God by discipling and teaching others!
Overall a good book I recommend it.
The book begins with an introduction that explain how the book came about. The first chapter is on what expository apologetics is and the next chapter covers First Peter Chapter Three and what is the essence of apologetics. Chapter three is on “Why Unbelief?” which looks at unbelief from a biblical perspective taking into account Romans 1 and how people do know God while they are still not Christians. Chapter four look at the Apostle Paul’s expository apologetics, surveying Paul’s methodology in Romans and Acts 17. Chapter five is on learning apologetics and I love how he points out historic Church creeds were historically to defend the faith and refute heresies. Chapter six is on the Ten Commandments and also moral and ethics as a case for the Biblical worldview. Chapter seven is a response to basic objections while chapter eight is titled “The Expository Apologetics Vaults” on the method of starting and handling apologetics’ conversations. Chapter nine is on preaching and teaching expository apologetics and here Voddie Bauchman talks about how to prepare sermons and teaching lessons with the slant of doing expository apologetics.
There are things I appreciate about the book. It is very biblical in its flavoring, and for those who find some Presuppositional Apologetics introductory work to be too philosophical this might be a good book to start. I appreciate the author looking at 1 Peter 3:15 in its paragraph context and the context of 1 Peter as an overall epistle. In particular I like how Bauchman points out the persecution dimensions with apologetics; he even pointed out how people will persecute Christians and apologetics can heighten that tension rather than alleviate the tension. Still we are to be faithful with sharing the Gospel and defending the faith.
I also appreciated Voddie mentioning his spiritual journey throughout the book such as his conversion, his days in the NFL and also being a father. He talked about learning from RTS Itunes listening to John Frame’s lectures on Christian ethics and when he wrote that it stood out to me since some have discovered the richness of Presuppositional Apologetics through the same way. It makes it easier to identify with the author, and the importance of continuously learning even if one thinks oneself as knowing a lot already.
This book is also helpful with discussions about practical apologetics conversations. For example I like how Voddie taught the importance of summarizing generously and challenge an unbeliever gently. I thought also his last chapter was also unique compared to other Presuppositional apologetics books out there in that the author discusses about teaching apologetics and not just applying apologetics to nonbelievers. As I read this chapter I thought about what a wonderful opportunity God has given us to multiply the work of God by discipling and teaching others!
Overall a good book I recommend it.
May 14, 2023
A great primer articulating and defending the presuppositional method to apologetics and evangelism. Key takeaways: follow Pauls defense of his faith, memorize the ten commandments, know the creeds, confessions, and catechisms, and always bring the conversation back to Christ. "Be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you" does not mean to argue for your faith from the same presuppositions as the secularists. Instead, be bold in your position and do not feel the "evangelical embarrassment" for what the Bible clearly says. Also, all truth is God's truth. In debates, reveal to the interlocutor how what they are arguing for has a bit of biblical truth, (and be able to show them where in the Bible that truth is) but also how their position is a cheap and distorted knock off of God's Truth.
March 14, 2025
I am completely tired of apologists that don’t understand their Bibles. People that harass unbelievers online or offline, but don’t understand what they are supposedly defending.
This is not that. This is powerfully not that. This is a way of thinking and preparing to meet the objections of our day in a comprehensive and faithful manner.
It’s excellent.
This is not that. This is powerfully not that. This is a way of thinking and preparing to meet the objections of our day in a comprehensive and faithful manner.
It’s excellent.
June 24, 2024
Such a helpful book to be ready to give an account for our beliefs!
August 31, 2024
I really like this book overall! I think Voddie tends to like creeds and catacitism a little too much but I love his straightforwardness and bluntness! What he describes I think n is practical apologetics!
April 17, 2025
Do not get intimidated by the title.
This is just Biblical Evangelism on steroids. Great read!
This is just Biblical Evangelism on steroids. Great read!
September 22, 2024
This book is for every believer! Anyone who professes faith in Christ is charged with His command to go and make disciples. One way we can do this is by giving an answer for our hope in every conversation that we have. And to give an answer, we must know what we believe and why we believe it.
Reading this book will helped continue to build a scriptural foundation to help me defend my faith with speech and conduct that reflects a follower of Jesus.
As I read this book and engaged with the vast amount of Scripture that Baucham bases his approach , I felt more equipped to engage in apologetics with the right attitude and the right speech. But beyond that, I feel like I have a bit more confidence to employ real-life apologetics: simply, knowing what I believe, why I believe it, and being able to communicate that in a conversational and winsome way.
The goal of this book is not to teach you to win arguments. Rather it is to help you confidently defend your faith and point to the Gospel.
Reading this book will helped continue to build a scriptural foundation to help me defend my faith with speech and conduct that reflects a follower of Jesus.
As I read this book and engaged with the vast amount of Scripture that Baucham bases his approach , I felt more equipped to engage in apologetics with the right attitude and the right speech. But beyond that, I feel like I have a bit more confidence to employ real-life apologetics: simply, knowing what I believe, why I believe it, and being able to communicate that in a conversational and winsome way.
The goal of this book is not to teach you to win arguments. Rather it is to help you confidently defend your faith and point to the Gospel.
June 7, 2023
I really liked this book. He was very encouraging that “regular” Christians can and need to be expository apologists. I only gave 4 stars because I kept hoping for examples of conversations in the book.
January 25, 2022
Deeply practical, and plainly biblical. These pages are filled with insightful wisdom. How can each and every Christian use exactly what the Bible teaches as a response to opposition? Voddie Baucham tells us how.
June 12, 2023
Useful guide to promoting and defending Christianity in everyday conversations. I appreciate the biblical basis of the approach. The book needed more examples showing how to handle apologetic conversations, especially in difficult circumstances (e.g., with a hostile person, with a person who keeps changing the subject, when you don’t know the answer to a question or objection). For such content, I highly recommend Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl.
Baucham says that expository apologetics is knowing what you believe and why, and communicating it in a humble, winsome, biblical way. It's based on Paul's practice in Romans, and is based on presuppositional apologetics.
Baucham doesn't denigrate other apologetic approaches, but says this approach is the best and is the most accessible to average Christians.
Baucham's goals with the book are to show that average Christians can engage in apologetics, and to promote the Bible's sufficiency in apologetics.
Notes
What Is Expository Apologetics?
Characteristics of expository apologetics
• Biblical: answer objections from Bible
• Easy to remember: simple enough to use in everyday conversations
• Conversational: share truth in natural, reasonable, winsome way
Catechism is best apologetics training tool for children and adults.
1 Peter 3 and the Essence of Apologetics
Apologetics doesn't make people like or accept us, accept Christ, or leave us alone. It's more likely to heighten, not lessen, tension between us and world.
Why Unbelief?
It's foolish to continue to answer unbeliever's questions when they ignore your answers and just ask more questions, and without questioning the unbiblical assumptions/philosophies that underlie the unbeliever's questions (Pro 26:4-5). "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him" (Pro 26:4) means we must not accept unbeliever's false premise. "Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes" (Pro 26:5) means we must disprove unbeliever's false premise. We shouldn't answer unbeliever's question until we've exposed underlying false premise.
The greatest need of each person isn't info, but illumination. Focusing on answering questions assumes that people are asking legitimate questions and that good answers will satisfy them and lead them to truth. But people rarely ask legitimate, or at least the right, questions. They're usually smokescreens to stump you, make themselves look smart, change subject, or end discussion. Goal isn't to answer endless questions, but to get to gospel.
Trying to convince someone without using Bible, or by stepping outside of Christian worldview and into non-Christian one, negates your claims by agreeing with unbeliever that there's truth apart from God, and that Bible is neither sufficient nor necessary.
Answer as though speaking for the Judge (God), not to the judge (as if unbeliever is in position to judge God or Bible).
Answering questions
1. Answer honest questions.
2. Keep explanations simple.
3. Find a way to get to the gospel.
Paul's Expository Apologetic
Make it hard for others to misrepresent you. After making a controversial statement, say, "You didn't hear me say …" to clarify.
Paul took objections seriously, answered them directly from Bible, got to gospel in cogent, winsome, conversational way.
Paul's approach with Christians was to reference and quote Bible (see book of Romans). His approach with pagans was to quote pagan philosophers to meet audience on familiar ground, then to refer to (though not quote) Bible and present gospel (see Acts 17).
Apologetics is giving an answer for what we believe (1 Pet 3:15), and what we believe is based on God's revelation (Bible), so we must use it in apologetics.
Expository apologetics goes beyond challenging others to reevaluate their belief about God and making case for reasonableness of truth claims; it presses Christ's claims in exposing sin.
Don't try to get people to abandon parts of non-Christian worldview while leaving foundation intact; lead them to truth that will destroy non-Christian worldview and replace it with Christian worldview.
Learning Apologetics through Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms
You're not responsible to answer questions about what God hasn't revealed (e.g., where babies go when they die, why God allowed Fall). Someone questioning validity of Christianity won't be much helped by answers to such questions, and they're not the questions they really want answers to.
Creeds, confessions, and catechisms are primary apologetic tools, because apologetics is about knowing what you believe and why.
Helpful creeds: Apostles', Nicene, Athanasian
Helpful confessions: Augsburg Confession, Belgic, 39 Articles, Canons of Dort, First London Baptist Confession, Westminster Confession, Second London Baptist Confession
The Ten Commandments
Goal isn't to convince unbeliever to follow 10 Commandments, but to show that ethical issues that concern them matter to God and to us, and that God has given a standard that's outside of, and superior to, us for judging ethics.
If we agree with others that we live in a secular society that requires non-religious solutions to problems, we undermine Christian worldview. Any moral or political victory will then be pyrrhic and likely last only as long as public favors it.
Basic Objections
God requires righteousness (obedience of moral law) of everyone, not only believers (Lev 18; Rev 20:12-13).
In Lev 19:27-28, God forbade cutting hair and beard in a particular way and cutting and tattooing skin because these practices were associated with idolatry, done by pagans. These were ceremonial laws for Israel, not universal moral laws.
Israel's civil laws were for a theocratic nation in Ancient Near East, so they can't be directly applied to modern nations, but they contain principles that can be applied (e.g., care for poor), which NT can inform (1 Tim 5).
Don't present yourself as arbiter of truth; point to your own sin and how it drove you to Savior.
The Expository Apologetic Waltz
You don't need to confront every unbiblical idea; pick your battles. Otherwise, you'll be seen as insensitive and arrogant, and will lose opportunities for conversation.
Start conversations by being friendly, smiling, asking about person's day, family, work.
Listen for person to make truth claim (statement of fact that reveals their worldview), or counters one of your truth claims.
How to have apologetic conversation
1. Listen to understand and show that you value them, not to "catch" them being wrong. Summarize their points to show you understand, without giving your opinion. Gently, respectfully show them their worldview is inconsistent, erroneous.
2. Point out where Bible teaches idea they're promoting (e.g., love your neighbor, humans have rights). Show how they're wrongly applying biblical principle.
3. Show them consistency, superiority, beauty, truth of Christian worldview. Explain that it's rooted in timeless, perfect, external source (God), not in subjective human opinions. Give gospel; explain that God is real and righteous, and judgment is coming.
Questions to ask about same-sex "marriage"
• Is it your contention that when people love each other, they should be allowed to marry, no matter who they are?
• What about people who don't love each other? May they marry?
• What about people who love more than one other person? Doesn't your position discriminate against them?
• What if one person is already married?
• What if one person is age 15, and the other is age 50?
Problems with secular concept of rights
• They have no logical boundaries, if consistently applied.
• They have their origin in humans, not God.
• They infringe on rights of others by not consistently granting rights to all.
Why Bible is true: It's reliable collection of historical documents written by eyewitnesses during lifetime of other witnesses. They report supernatural events that occurred in fulfillment of specific prophecies, and claim their writings are of divine origin.
Baucham says that expository apologetics is knowing what you believe and why, and communicating it in a humble, winsome, biblical way. It's based on Paul's practice in Romans, and is based on presuppositional apologetics.
Baucham doesn't denigrate other apologetic approaches, but says this approach is the best and is the most accessible to average Christians.
Baucham's goals with the book are to show that average Christians can engage in apologetics, and to promote the Bible's sufficiency in apologetics.
Notes
What Is Expository Apologetics?
Characteristics of expository apologetics
• Biblical: answer objections from Bible
• Easy to remember: simple enough to use in everyday conversations
• Conversational: share truth in natural, reasonable, winsome way
Catechism is best apologetics training tool for children and adults.
1 Peter 3 and the Essence of Apologetics
Apologetics doesn't make people like or accept us, accept Christ, or leave us alone. It's more likely to heighten, not lessen, tension between us and world.
Why Unbelief?
It's foolish to continue to answer unbeliever's questions when they ignore your answers and just ask more questions, and without questioning the unbiblical assumptions/philosophies that underlie the unbeliever's questions (Pro 26:4-5). "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him" (Pro 26:4) means we must not accept unbeliever's false premise. "Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes" (Pro 26:5) means we must disprove unbeliever's false premise. We shouldn't answer unbeliever's question until we've exposed underlying false premise.
The greatest need of each person isn't info, but illumination. Focusing on answering questions assumes that people are asking legitimate questions and that good answers will satisfy them and lead them to truth. But people rarely ask legitimate, or at least the right, questions. They're usually smokescreens to stump you, make themselves look smart, change subject, or end discussion. Goal isn't to answer endless questions, but to get to gospel.
Trying to convince someone without using Bible, or by stepping outside of Christian worldview and into non-Christian one, negates your claims by agreeing with unbeliever that there's truth apart from God, and that Bible is neither sufficient nor necessary.
Answer as though speaking for the Judge (God), not to the judge (as if unbeliever is in position to judge God or Bible).
Answering questions
1. Answer honest questions.
2. Keep explanations simple.
3. Find a way to get to the gospel.
Paul's Expository Apologetic
Make it hard for others to misrepresent you. After making a controversial statement, say, "You didn't hear me say …" to clarify.
Paul took objections seriously, answered them directly from Bible, got to gospel in cogent, winsome, conversational way.
Paul's approach with Christians was to reference and quote Bible (see book of Romans). His approach with pagans was to quote pagan philosophers to meet audience on familiar ground, then to refer to (though not quote) Bible and present gospel (see Acts 17).
Apologetics is giving an answer for what we believe (1 Pet 3:15), and what we believe is based on God's revelation (Bible), so we must use it in apologetics.
Expository apologetics goes beyond challenging others to reevaluate their belief about God and making case for reasonableness of truth claims; it presses Christ's claims in exposing sin.
Don't try to get people to abandon parts of non-Christian worldview while leaving foundation intact; lead them to truth that will destroy non-Christian worldview and replace it with Christian worldview.
Learning Apologetics through Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms
You're not responsible to answer questions about what God hasn't revealed (e.g., where babies go when they die, why God allowed Fall). Someone questioning validity of Christianity won't be much helped by answers to such questions, and they're not the questions they really want answers to.
Creeds, confessions, and catechisms are primary apologetic tools, because apologetics is about knowing what you believe and why.
Helpful creeds: Apostles', Nicene, Athanasian
Helpful confessions: Augsburg Confession, Belgic, 39 Articles, Canons of Dort, First London Baptist Confession, Westminster Confession, Second London Baptist Confession
The Ten Commandments
Goal isn't to convince unbeliever to follow 10 Commandments, but to show that ethical issues that concern them matter to God and to us, and that God has given a standard that's outside of, and superior to, us for judging ethics.
If we agree with others that we live in a secular society that requires non-religious solutions to problems, we undermine Christian worldview. Any moral or political victory will then be pyrrhic and likely last only as long as public favors it.
Basic Objections
God requires righteousness (obedience of moral law) of everyone, not only believers (Lev 18; Rev 20:12-13).
In Lev 19:27-28, God forbade cutting hair and beard in a particular way and cutting and tattooing skin because these practices were associated with idolatry, done by pagans. These were ceremonial laws for Israel, not universal moral laws.
Israel's civil laws were for a theocratic nation in Ancient Near East, so they can't be directly applied to modern nations, but they contain principles that can be applied (e.g., care for poor), which NT can inform (1 Tim 5).
Don't present yourself as arbiter of truth; point to your own sin and how it drove you to Savior.
The Expository Apologetic Waltz
You don't need to confront every unbiblical idea; pick your battles. Otherwise, you'll be seen as insensitive and arrogant, and will lose opportunities for conversation.
Start conversations by being friendly, smiling, asking about person's day, family, work.
Listen for person to make truth claim (statement of fact that reveals their worldview), or counters one of your truth claims.
How to have apologetic conversation
1. Listen to understand and show that you value them, not to "catch" them being wrong. Summarize their points to show you understand, without giving your opinion. Gently, respectfully show them their worldview is inconsistent, erroneous.
2. Point out where Bible teaches idea they're promoting (e.g., love your neighbor, humans have rights). Show how they're wrongly applying biblical principle.
3. Show them consistency, superiority, beauty, truth of Christian worldview. Explain that it's rooted in timeless, perfect, external source (God), not in subjective human opinions. Give gospel; explain that God is real and righteous, and judgment is coming.
Questions to ask about same-sex "marriage"
• Is it your contention that when people love each other, they should be allowed to marry, no matter who they are?
• What about people who don't love each other? May they marry?
• What about people who love more than one other person? Doesn't your position discriminate against them?
• What if one person is already married?
• What if one person is age 15, and the other is age 50?
Problems with secular concept of rights
• They have no logical boundaries, if consistently applied.
• They have their origin in humans, not God.
• They infringe on rights of others by not consistently granting rights to all.
Why Bible is true: It's reliable collection of historical documents written by eyewitnesses during lifetime of other witnesses. They report supernatural events that occurred in fulfillment of specific prophecies, and claim their writings are of divine origin.
November 25, 2024
A ‘PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF PRESUPPOSITIONAL APOLOGETICS’
Author Voddie Baucham Jr. wrote in the Introduction to this 2015 book, “Several years ago, a dear friend and brother … saw [in me] a consistent application of a set of techniques that shaped the way I dealt with certain issues. Eventually… I called it Expository Apologetics. ‘Expository’ because it was based in my commitment to expository preaching. ‘Apologetics’ because it was essentially about answering objections… This book is an attempt to introduce a new way of thinking about apologetics, which is actually not new at all. At its core, it is a practical application of presuppositional apologetics… The goal here is to introduce an approach to apologetics that is accessible and effective. The audience is everyone who claims faith in Christ through the power of the gospel.” (Pg. 13-14)
He continues in the first chapter, “expository apologetics is about three things. First, it is about being biblical. We answer objections with the power of the Word. Second, it is about being easy to remember… Third, it is about being conversational… to share truth in a manner that is natural, reasonable, and winsome. I’m not talking about preparing to defeat Christopher Hitchens in a formal debate. The goal here is to be able to answer him or anyone else in the normal flow of everyday conversation as you share your faith in a natural way.” (Pg. 20)
He goes on, “Expository apologetics takes into account the fact that the gospel… is limited because we are operating from a closed canon. No new truths are being revealed…. Thus, there are a limited number of objections. Additionally, the objections to the gospel are not new… [If] these objections have been answered by biblical authors under the inspiration of the holy Spirit, then their answers will certainly be more effective and authoritative than any we could devise on our own.” (Pg. 21)
He explains, “Much of this book is targeted toward the evangelist. That is because … our goal is the same… we point people to Christ and call them to repent and believe… Evangelism is more than merely convincing people of the rightness of Christianity or getting them to … pray a prayer. Evangelism is about making disciples---calling people away from the kingdom of man and into the kingdom of God. This kind of transfer of allegiance is at the heart of expository apologetics.” (Pg. 27-28)
He suggests, “If… man’s primary problem is a sin problem, then information alone is not sufficient. The answer to sin is not information, but repentance!... What, then, is the great need of those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness? The answer… is the faith! Therefore, we should never divorce apologetics from gospel proclamation… God has provided a means of knowing about him that requires no special effort, is not hidden, and cannot be missed unless, of course, we WANT to miss it. And THAT is why those who ‘miss it’ are said to be ‘without excuse.’ … when men reject God’s general revelation… they continue downward and refuse to honor the God they know.” (Pg. 50-51)
He asserts, “Homosexuality mars our view of the image of God by denying the complementary relationship between men and women. It denies procreation… And it violates clear commands of Scripture.” (Pg. 55)
He contends, “there is ultimately no such thing as an atheist. Anyone who calls himself one is wrong on at least three fronts. First, someone who claims to be an atheist is suppressing the truth he knows… Second… [he] is in disagreement with what God says about him… Third, anyone who claims to be an atheist is ignoring his greatest need, and his only hope for fulfillment. Man’s greatest and ultimate need is God. Apart from God, man is incomplete.” (Pg. 58-59)
He notes, “the book of Romans [is] a classic example of expository apologetics… Paul asks questions as though he were addressing an imaginary interlocutor. He then follows up with an answer to the question of objection… The evidence suggests that Paul was… actually answering questions that he had received from skeptics. I believe this for at least three reasons. First, the questions he raises flow naturally… Second, the questions he raises are common… Finally, if Paul had not heard these questions from others, he most certainly would have wrestled with them himself as a Jew embracing Christianity.” (Pg. 67-68)
He acknowledges, “I am only responsible for giving a reason for the hope that is in me… Nor am I responsible for knowing what God has not revealed. For example, it is not necessary for me to know where babies go when they die, why God allowed the fall, or why mosquitoes exist. I have opinions about all of these. However, these things are not the reason for the hope that is in me… with a person who is questioning the validity of Christianity, answer to these questions do him little good. Nor are these usually the questions they REALLY want to ask.” (Pg. 85-86)
He observes, “I cannot remember the last time I have a conversation with a skeptic that fell exclusively into the classical apologetics category. Even at the highest level, atheists, like Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens argue more against the morality of Christianity than about its theology. The ‘New Atheism’ is as much an attack on Christians and Christian ethics as it is an attack on Christian theology.” (Pg. 125)
He advises, “remember that everyone has presuppositions… The main difference… is that those of us who take time to examine our presuppositions will often find that having done so puts us in rare company. Rarely will you encounter people who know what their presuppositions are, let alone where they come from. That is why it is incumbent upon us to inform them.” (Pg. 155)
He states, “We’re not obligated to keep the ceremonial law… Christ and his finished work [is] done. So I don’t have to go slay animals. The Lamb has been slain. But I wouldn’t have understood THE Lamb that was slain without the ceremonial system where lambs were slain. I wouldn’t have understood THE Passover … were it not for Israel keeping the Passover for thousands of years so that when Christ came… I could understand what God was communicating. That’s my relationship with the ceremonial law.” (Pg. 185)
This book will be of great interest to Christians studying ‘presuppositional’ apologetics.
Author Voddie Baucham Jr. wrote in the Introduction to this 2015 book, “Several years ago, a dear friend and brother … saw [in me] a consistent application of a set of techniques that shaped the way I dealt with certain issues. Eventually… I called it Expository Apologetics. ‘Expository’ because it was based in my commitment to expository preaching. ‘Apologetics’ because it was essentially about answering objections… This book is an attempt to introduce a new way of thinking about apologetics, which is actually not new at all. At its core, it is a practical application of presuppositional apologetics… The goal here is to introduce an approach to apologetics that is accessible and effective. The audience is everyone who claims faith in Christ through the power of the gospel.” (Pg. 13-14)
He continues in the first chapter, “expository apologetics is about three things. First, it is about being biblical. We answer objections with the power of the Word. Second, it is about being easy to remember… Third, it is about being conversational… to share truth in a manner that is natural, reasonable, and winsome. I’m not talking about preparing to defeat Christopher Hitchens in a formal debate. The goal here is to be able to answer him or anyone else in the normal flow of everyday conversation as you share your faith in a natural way.” (Pg. 20)
He goes on, “Expository apologetics takes into account the fact that the gospel… is limited because we are operating from a closed canon. No new truths are being revealed…. Thus, there are a limited number of objections. Additionally, the objections to the gospel are not new… [If] these objections have been answered by biblical authors under the inspiration of the holy Spirit, then their answers will certainly be more effective and authoritative than any we could devise on our own.” (Pg. 21)
He explains, “Much of this book is targeted toward the evangelist. That is because … our goal is the same… we point people to Christ and call them to repent and believe… Evangelism is more than merely convincing people of the rightness of Christianity or getting them to … pray a prayer. Evangelism is about making disciples---calling people away from the kingdom of man and into the kingdom of God. This kind of transfer of allegiance is at the heart of expository apologetics.” (Pg. 27-28)
He suggests, “If… man’s primary problem is a sin problem, then information alone is not sufficient. The answer to sin is not information, but repentance!... What, then, is the great need of those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness? The answer… is the faith! Therefore, we should never divorce apologetics from gospel proclamation… God has provided a means of knowing about him that requires no special effort, is not hidden, and cannot be missed unless, of course, we WANT to miss it. And THAT is why those who ‘miss it’ are said to be ‘without excuse.’ … when men reject God’s general revelation… they continue downward and refuse to honor the God they know.” (Pg. 50-51)
He asserts, “Homosexuality mars our view of the image of God by denying the complementary relationship between men and women. It denies procreation… And it violates clear commands of Scripture.” (Pg. 55)
He contends, “there is ultimately no such thing as an atheist. Anyone who calls himself one is wrong on at least three fronts. First, someone who claims to be an atheist is suppressing the truth he knows… Second… [he] is in disagreement with what God says about him… Third, anyone who claims to be an atheist is ignoring his greatest need, and his only hope for fulfillment. Man’s greatest and ultimate need is God. Apart from God, man is incomplete.” (Pg. 58-59)
He notes, “the book of Romans [is] a classic example of expository apologetics… Paul asks questions as though he were addressing an imaginary interlocutor. He then follows up with an answer to the question of objection… The evidence suggests that Paul was… actually answering questions that he had received from skeptics. I believe this for at least three reasons. First, the questions he raises flow naturally… Second, the questions he raises are common… Finally, if Paul had not heard these questions from others, he most certainly would have wrestled with them himself as a Jew embracing Christianity.” (Pg. 67-68)
He acknowledges, “I am only responsible for giving a reason for the hope that is in me… Nor am I responsible for knowing what God has not revealed. For example, it is not necessary for me to know where babies go when they die, why God allowed the fall, or why mosquitoes exist. I have opinions about all of these. However, these things are not the reason for the hope that is in me… with a person who is questioning the validity of Christianity, answer to these questions do him little good. Nor are these usually the questions they REALLY want to ask.” (Pg. 85-86)
He observes, “I cannot remember the last time I have a conversation with a skeptic that fell exclusively into the classical apologetics category. Even at the highest level, atheists, like Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens argue more against the morality of Christianity than about its theology. The ‘New Atheism’ is as much an attack on Christians and Christian ethics as it is an attack on Christian theology.” (Pg. 125)
He advises, “remember that everyone has presuppositions… The main difference… is that those of us who take time to examine our presuppositions will often find that having done so puts us in rare company. Rarely will you encounter people who know what their presuppositions are, let alone where they come from. That is why it is incumbent upon us to inform them.” (Pg. 155)
He states, “We’re not obligated to keep the ceremonial law… Christ and his finished work [is] done. So I don’t have to go slay animals. The Lamb has been slain. But I wouldn’t have understood THE Lamb that was slain without the ceremonial system where lambs were slain. I wouldn’t have understood THE Passover … were it not for Israel keeping the Passover for thousands of years so that when Christ came… I could understand what God was communicating. That’s my relationship with the ceremonial law.” (Pg. 185)
This book will be of great interest to Christians studying ‘presuppositional’ apologetics.
January 12, 2024
3/5 book. His philosophy and tools for apologetics are extremely biblical and steeped in scriptural support, he is a big fan of presuppositionalism but there is no technical discussion of it. Good overall apologetics book for every Christian. His expositions and applications of Romans 1, 1 Peter 3, and Acts 17 are all excellent and the book is worth it for those alone. He also advocates using catechisms and the 10 commandments as key tools for evangelism, these are the most enjoyable and interesting chapters for me and I will implement his tactics here. However, I would alter his specific "steps" in an apologetics encounter. His book has a lot of fluff, and he makes lots of repetitive basic talking points about the culture and Church that I've heard hundreds of times; they are unnecessary in my estimation, hence the rating.
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