Defending Your Faith: An Introduction to Apologetics

by R.C. Sproul

There is a widespread belief that reason and faith are incompatible and opposed to each other. Faith is viewed as subjective, emotional, a crutch for those who find the real world too hard. Though many of the world's finest minds hold this view, the Bible teaches that it is the fool who says there is no God. Dr. R. C. Sproul clearly and simply argues that at its core Christianity is rational. He focuses on defending the basic truth claims for two of the most crucial issues of God's existence and the Bible's authority. In this primer of apologetic thought, Dr. Sproul affirms four logical principles that are necessary for all real discussion and teaches you how to defend your faith in a faithless world. Using the writings of church fathers and philosophers throughout the ages, he uncovers the common ideologies that work against faith. The defense of the faith is not a luxury or an intellectual vanity. It is a task appointed by God that you should be able to give a reason for the hope that is in you as you bear witness before the world.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Faith, Religion, Philosophy

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Chauncey Lattimer]

This book is exactly what it claims to be - "An Introduction to Apologetics." R.C. Sproul admits that he only deals with two of many topics in the broad field of apologetics - the case for the existence of God and the case for the divine origin of scripture. The book begins with an examination of the apologetic task - "providing an intellectual defense of the truth claims of the faith." This is followed by a look at the "four essential principles of knowledge"- 1. the law of noncontradiction; 2. the law of causality; 3. the basic reliability of sense perception; and 4. the analogical use of language. Following a brief discussion of natural reason and faith (Aquinas and Kant), Sproul gives major space to the case for God's existence. In this section the four possibilities are analyzed - illusion, self-creation, a self-existent universe, and a self-existent Being. Section five of the book is given to a comparison between the God of the philosophers and the God of the Bible. The work of Kant, especially his "moral argument" for God's existence, is shown to be a precursor to the work of the nihilists and atheism. The final section is devoted to "The Case for Biblical Authority."

The book was an easy and enjoyable read. I would recommend it to anyone not familiar with the field of apologetics, a Christian student about to enter college, or even a Christian who is interested in, or concerned about just how they might witness.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is exactly what the title says, an introduction to apologetics. It includes several basic discussions, along with their historical significance and authors, as well as scriptural references to refute or back up the claims.

I should note that I listened to this as a book on tape rather than actually reading it, which is probably partially why it is only three stars (unfortunately that was the medium it was easiest for me to get my hands on). I tend to do other things while I'm listening to books on tape, which works great when it's subject matter I already know or a book I'm very familiar with, not so well when it's philosophical discussion. That said when I paid attention enough to follow the dialogues, they were very interesting (and honestly, very simple, fitting for an introduction to the topic) and I loved that the verses he used to support his arguments he included in the text, as it made it much simpler to follow the entire thought. Also, for a book with the title of "Defending Your Faith", it does not have an antagonistic tone at all.

Content notes: No issues; I would say suitable for high school age and up.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

apologetics isn't about winning arguments, it's about winning souls

This is only an intro and only seeks to answer the existence of God and the authority of Scripture. It's a great starting point for you to beef up, or some great refreshers even if you've been walking with the Lord for a long time.

“The Bible never tells us to take a leap of faith into the darkness and hope that there’s somebody out there. The Bible calls us to jump out of the darkness and into the light. That is not a blind leap. The faith that the New Testament calls us to is a faith rooted and grounded in something that God makes clear is the truth.”

[Keith Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The argument was convincing for the existence of A god but fell short in its proof for the God of the Bible. The author's treatment of Scripture seemed like an afterthought as it was quickly glossed over at the end of the book. He initially dismissed circular arguments for the reliability of Scripture but then argued for the authority of the Bible by using the Bible itself. It is not helpful to say the Bible is historically accurate, just read this book by FF Bruce, now let's see what the scripture says about itself. This seems dangerously circular to me.

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sproul, R. C. Defending Your Faith.

I am not sure if I would say this is the best comprehensive intro to apologetics. Nonetheless, I can’t think of any competitors. It is both broad and deep without sacrificing clarity. Indeed, it tops out around 160 pages. While Sproul defends classical apologetics, and I believe he is largely correct, that isn’t my goal in this review. Classical apologetics has a certain congruity with traditional Reformed thought. The notions of causation and other quasi-Aristotelian categories are found in the Reformed confessions and the greatest of her writers (e.g., Turretin). Rejecting classical apologetics might come at too high a cost.

Key Points

Three levels of faith. Fiducia is personal trust and reliance (Sproul 17). Only the Holy Spirit can work this. If we see apologetics as pre-evangelism, we are concerned with the other two levels of faith: noitia and assensus. Noitia is the data I have to process before I can accept or reject Christ. Assensus is intellectual assent.

The Principles of Knowledge

These principles are the law of noncontradiction, the law of causality, the reliability of sense perception, and analogical use of language. Of particular importance is the second one, causality, as the cosmological argument is probably the most powerful one. Sproul tells the story of how Bertrand Russell read John Stuart Mill’s attack on the law of causality as follows: if everything has a cause, then what caused the previous cause, and so on? Obviously, this removes God from the picture. This, however, is not what the law states. Rather, every effect has a cause. God has the power of being in himself and is not an effect.

Analogy of Being

If you maintain that God is Wholly Other, like Barth, then you have lost all knowledge of God.

General Revelation

Mediate general revelation is God’s revelation of himself through a medium, such as nature. Immediate general revelation is what comes to us directly, such as the works of the law on our hearts. This leads to the charge against classical apologetics that by beginning with themselves and not God, they are autonomous. Sproul gives an insightful answer: only God can begin with God. We begin with self-consciousness and in doing so, we are immediately met with finitude and that we aren't God.

Aquinas, Nature, and Grace

Sproul rescues Aquinas from the misunderstandings popularized by 20th century apologists. God’s revelation in nature has a divine origin. The so-called “two storey criticism” of Aquinas just doesn’t work. Kant separated nature from grace, not Aquinas. In fact, while Sproul doesn’t mention it, Aquinas could even be seen to say that nature participates in grace.

The Positive Case

The existence of the world comes down to four possibilities: illusion, self-creation, self-existence, and created. From these four options, Sproul argues that if anything exists, then something must exist necessarily. The most popular alternative is self-creation.

Self-creation is analytically false. For something to create itself, it must have existed before it exists. As Sproul notes, “The universe would have to be and not be at the same time,” which violates the law of noncontradiction. Self-creation, however, is not the same as self-existence. There is no logical contradiction in the idea of a self-existent God who has all power of being in himself.

Did chance make the universe? The problem here is that chance is reified, or given actual being. Chance describes mathematical possibilities. It isn’t a force or being that rigs a coin toss.

God is the Ens Necessarium

God is necessary “by virtue of rationality.” I think Sproul moves too quickly on this point. I agree with him, but I don’t think it is adequately substantiated. That God is ontologically necessary, as demonstrated in the next point, makes more sense. This means that God has the power of being in himself. This is God’s aseity.

Sproul understands that if he is correct, then he hasn’t proven the God of the Bible. His response is that he can get pretty close. If apologetics is pre-evangelism, then he doesn’t have to prove the God of the Bible in one step. The cosmological argument, for example, can remove barriers to belief. In any case, a being that exists outside of time and space and is able to create rationality must be a rational being (along with being a spiritual being, obviously).

The rest of the book examines Kant’s moral argument, the psychology of atheism, and biblical authority. They are worthy topics (maybe not Kant) but I think they come at a price. The last chapter on biblical authority is necessary, since most people are dealing with the reliability of the Bible. On the other hand, one expects a defense of classical apologetics to deal in depth with the main a priori arguments.

The first half of the book is quite excellent and worthy of all readers, regardless of methodological persuasion. The rest of the book should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I think the concept of Christian Apologetics is very interesting - and potentially quite relevant and helpful - this book is written in such high-level language that it is difficult to gain a full understanding.

[Julio Padilla Mozo · Rating 4 out of 5]

El libro muy entendible, muy razonable para cualquier lector, pero la última sección me dejó deseando más en sus argumentos. Sin embargo fue un gran libro para introducción.

[Russell W. Spry · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I listened to Audible’s version of this book, and it was quite the experience. Because it was audio recordings of the lecture series, the focus, or tightness that comes with an edited/revised text was missing. I got something out of it for sure, but I want to read the book version so that I might get more firm takeaways. Perhaps I would have pulled more from the audiobook if I had been listening with intent or taking notes as if I was attending the actual lecture series. All in all a pleasant and insightful read, I just wish it had a little more punch/more ready takeaways.

[Vini · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of classroom lectures that give a great overview of apologetics. If you’re new to apologetics or want to be refreshed, check this out and give it a listen.

[John Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. Going to use this as a handbook for apologetics in the future! Really goes hard into the development of philosophical thought and how the traditional arguments for God were robustly made through Aquinas and his synthesis of Aristotle and the Christian faith, and then how that traditional argument was met with skepticism and ultimately paved the way for nihilism. If I’ve learned one thing in this book, you either have theism or nihilism!

[Megan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was much easier to read and understand than I expected. I didn't glean everything I could have, but in the end, I did get a lot out of it.
Sproul brings a lot of the terminology to layman level - he's not attempting to write to other philosophers here. Which is great. Cause I'm not one.
That's about all I have to say. It was really good.

[Neal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sproul's apologetics are from a very classical stance in this book and possibly a bit too wooden for practicality. A very helpful book to set up categories for thinking about apologetics, but not very practical for having a thoughtful discussion with a non-believing friend.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the principles of logic and reasoning. Now I understand better what people like Ravi Zacharias and Frank Turek are talking about.
I will probably listen to it again because so many points are covered.

[Kristel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy to follow examination of The Law of Noncontradiction, The Law of Causality, the reliability of sense perception, natural theology and science. I really enjoyed the author's ability to explain philosophy so well in easy to understand language and examples.

[Ms.Cogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sproul does a faithful and helpful job looking at the philosophical arguments for Christianity. Helped me see the reasonableness of the Christian faith.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know how to engage the culture with logical thinking that questions present day thinking that denies the existence of God, this is the book for you.

[Jonathan Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, the best book on the beginnings of basic apologetics. Get this book and read it, defend your faith.

[Mark Makary]

Weak

[Brandon H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most excellent defense of the Christian faith. Also an intelligent argument given for the existence of God.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes a bit thick to get through, but overall a good study, especially in teaching this to my peers in Sunday School.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s subtitled “an Introduction to Apologetics”. After reading it, I’m prepared to recommend it as a starting place without reservation. Its writing is clear even if its concepts are deep. In other words, you might struggle a bit if it’s your first encounter with this material, but you’ll go farther in understanding than in many books three times its length. Sproul, with his philosophy background, is at his best here. I actually prefer him here over theological subjects though his brilliance is undeniable.

The first section of two chapters makes a biblical case for apologetics. He briefly explains historical reasons for the development of apologetics and then outlines its task. He further discusses the quandary of defense versus evangelism, which he defines as proof and persuasion. The bulk of the book, he says, is to defend the existence of God and the authority of the Bible. He also makes a good case against those who criticize apologetics. 

The next section of six chapters, which are the best of the book, cover the four principles of knowledge. If you are not familiar with this subject, you would never guess these four principles, but as you read, you are easily convinced of how essential they are. I am amazed by both the depth and the quantity of learning you receive in 40 pages here. It is laid out so flawlessly. He takes you step-by-step on a journey and convinces you every step of the way. I almost think that describing it would be like giving spoilers, and I figure you’d be better off to just enjoy it. I would further believe that if you mastered these 40 pages, you would be a long way down the road of understanding apologetics.

The next section of two chapters about natural reason and faith are really just overcoming the attacks against those four principles that have developed. These attacks fall to the ground like a stray bullet that hits nothing.

The following two sections really are about how we weather the later philosophical storms against belief in the existence of God. For example, some admit that there must be a higher being, but then try to negate His influence today. Others try radical ideas like saying God is an illusion, or that all that exists is self created, which Sproul explains is nonsense, or creation by chance which is pretty much the same thing, or the universe is God. He at length shows that only our God as a self-existent being explains reality. He then exposes the rogue philosophers who level these attacks.

The final section of the book is a robust defense in four chapters on the authority and trustworthiness of the Bible. Good stuff.

Sometimes you read a book that is fantastic and you lay it aside. Other times you read a great book and you know you will refer to it again and again. That is where I find myself on this book.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to apologetics, explaining how to reason with unbelievers about God's existence and the authority of the Bible. It's more logical and philosophical than I expected. It would have been easier to follow, and more practical, if it had scripts or example conversations showing how to use the arguments in conversation.

It starts with showing the validity of four principles of epistemology (how we can know anything at all), then moves to two major propositions of apologetics: the existence of God and the authority of the Bible.

It's meant to be a primer, not a comprehensive study of apologetics. As Sproul states, "The task of this book is to set forth, in a brief and nontechnical way, the basic truth claims of Christianity, and to show that at its core Christianity is rational."

The approach: present persuasive arguments for God's existence. Do this in such a way that to deny God's existence would be affirming absurdity. Focus on things that all people must confirm to maintain sanity: the four foundations of knowledge (principles of epistemology). Show that denying any one of them leads to absurdity. Show that following them to their logical end points to a rational Creator (existence of God). Then, establish the Bible's authority. Finally, let the Holy Spirit do his work. Continue the conversation as the other person allows.

Sproul says that establishing God's existence, and thereby the authority of the Bible, takes us 90% of the way in the task of apologetics. The last 10% can be dealt with by careful study of what Scripture says.

Notes
The Apologetic Task
2 macro issues of apologetics: existence of God and authority of the Bible. Even though person and work of Christ is more important, these questions have strategic priority. If Bible is established as carrying divine authority, then its teaching on Christ is confirmed.

Best starting point for apologetics: existence of God. By establishing this first, all other issues of apologetics become easier to defend. Other apologists start by establishing authority of Bible, because that affirms existence of God, reality of creation, deity of Christ. Other apologists argue from history; they prove deity of Christ, then reason back from Jesus to existence of God.

The Four Essential Principles of Knowledge
4 principles of epistemology
Law of Noncontradiction
Causality
Basic reliability of sense perception
Analogical use of language

A paradox is at first a seeming contradiction, but at second glance, a profound truth.

Logical positivism says that only statements that can be verified empirically can be true. That can be defeated by pointing out that that statement itself can't be verified empirically. Atheists use logical positivism to reject God's existence because it can't be verified empirically.

The Case for God's Existence
Reality can't be an illusion. If all reality is an illusion, then nothing exists, including myself. I can't doubt my own existence without proving my own reality; doubt requires a doubter ("I think, therefore I am"). If something (anything) exists, that ultimately demands God's existence (see following points).

A self-creating universe is a contradiction, because for the universe to create itself would require the effect being its own cause, which would require it to be before it was (to be and not be at the same time).

The Law of Cause and Effect doesn't say everything must have a cause; just that every effect must have a cause. The idea of an uncaused being doesn't violate the law.

If something exists now, then something must have always existed. If there was ever absolutely nothing, then there could be nothing now, because nothing can create itself. For something to exist now, logically, there must have been an eternal, self-existent (uncaused, uncreated) being.

There's design in the universe, so there must be a self-existent, eternal something that's responsible for creating the universe. That something must also have intention, which means it must be personal, which leads to the God of the Bible.

To have absolute ethical standards, there must be perfect justice. Because justice is imperfect on earth, there must be perfect justice in the afterlife. That requires a morally perfect judge (above reproach and corruption), which requires omniscience (because judge must have all the facts so judgment is error-free). To ensure judgment is carried out, judge must be omnipotent, so nothing can hinder judgments from being carried out. If moral absolutes exist, then our lives matter, meaning our lives must continue after death, because moral absolutes are given by a perfect judge, who will judge us after life.

The Case for Biblical Authority
Internal authentication (Bible substantiating its own authority)
• Coherency and symmetry
• Consistency over centuries and through multiple authors
• Fulfilled prophecy (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel; over 200 specific prophecies about Messiah, fulfilled in Christ)
• Transcendent majesty of scope
• Inner ring of truth (our consciences agree with it, and it accurately describes life as we experience it)

External authentication: findings of historians and archaeologists (Bible contains many names, places, events that have been externally verified), including eyewitness verification of miracles recorded in Bible.

Authors of Bible assume or claim that their words are inspired by God.

Christians believe the Bible is inspired by God because Jesus said so. This isn't circular logic, because the premise is that narratives of Bible are reliable historical documents, which can be shown by external sources.

First, show biblical record is historically reliable. Then, move to biblical writers' description of Jesus' flawless character. Then, judge his claims of prophecy to be reliable because his character is reliable (attested by historically reliable biblical accounts). If his teaching is accurate, we should accept his teaching on Scripture (that it's the verbally inspired Word of God).

When talking to an unbeliever, establish reliability of biblical record, then affirm Jesus' character from what Bible says about him, then ask, "What did Jesus teach about the writings of Scripture?"

If a Christian claims faith in Jesus but denies that Bible is reliable, their faith is empty. Ask on what rational foundation they base their faith. Also ask, "What is the Lord of the church's authoritative teaching about the nature of Scripture?" Jesus spoke about writings of OT prophets. He said they were words of God. He said his own words were true. If his teachings about Scripture were false, he'd be a false teacher. If he was wrong about anything he taught, why would we exalt him as prophet, let alone Son of God?

Remember that no amount of evidence will convince an unbeliever without the Holy Spirit working in their heart.

[Paul Owusu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I gave it 5 stars! Sproul made compelling arguments for the intellectual side of the truth claims of Christianity with only the Principles of Knowledge, Existence of God and the Case for the Authority of the Bible. Though, "Defending Your Faith" is only an introduction and doesn't provide exhaustive concordance for Apologetics, it gives the basics and brings to light what, when, how and where to go on from here. Apologetics is very broad and often beginners are confused as to where to start and which arguments to master. But Robert Charles Sproul has made it easier. The language in the book is simple, direct and involves the reader. It offers a great opportunity for those without philosophy and science background because most Apologetics books are flooded with profound Philosophy and Science which becomes too difficult to comprehend. I really enjoyed Sproul's possibilities of existence where he combined the cosmological, ontological, teleological and moral proofs for the existence of God in a simple way. Okay, I loved the narration and took many quotes from the book but here are my top two.

1. "Apologetics is not merely about winning an argument. It is about winning souls." Though I believe that only the Holy Spirit can change a person's heart and mind, Apologetics is important in what is sometimes called pre-evangelism and also in post-evangelism.

2. Chance is nothing. It doesn't have a causal ability and when we say that the universe was created by chance or by self-creation (big bang), we are saying, analytically, that the universe was created by nothing. *Ex nihilo nihil fit ("out of nothing, nothing comes").*

Again, it's a good restrictive starting point on Apologetics (not comprehensive though). I recommend it to all who have interest in Apologetics but doesn't know where to start.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to a more philosophical look at apologetics. R. C. Sproul, ever the champion of classical apologetics, lays out a compelling, positive case for the existence of God and the divine inspiration of the Bible, which he considers to be the two key issues in apologetics. Once the existence of God is proved and the Bible is shown to be His word, all other issues, Sproul argues, can be answered by examining the Scriptures. This book presents logical reasoning from one point to the next but does so in a way that is not overly technical, thus it is easy to follow and engaging to read. Sprinkled throughout are the characteristic Sproul stories that made him so loved, along with a healthy dose of philosophical history and engagement with major thinkers throughout time, from Aristotle to Aquinas to Kant. I especially appreciate the clarity with which the author states the four fundamental starting truths. Sproul affirms and demonstrates the manifest irrationality of denying these presuppositions, which I found to be more helpful and clear (in terms of understanding what he is arguing) than apologists who argue from the impossibility of the falsity of certain presuppositions (i.e., "impossibility of the contrary"). However, there is one point where it seems there might be a leap in Sproul's reasoning. I do not think he sufficiently shows in his argument why the basic historical reliability of the Gospel accounts in recording that Jesus thought the Bible was the Word of God implies that Jesus was correct. Of course, I agree with the main argument and conclusion that Jesus is the Truth and He viewed Scripture as inerrant, so we ought to share His opinion. Sproul just makes some jumps in his logic, such that I do not think he proves his case at this point. With that said, I recommend this book for anyone who wants a starting point to learn how to defend the core of Christianity without having to know lots of facts, but rather by simply thinking through a few essential issues.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a series of 32 separate apologetics lectures, all building on each other. Sproul spends most of the time arguing for the existence of God, using Aristotle's unmoved mover idea. Then he spends about the last 1/3 talking about the reliability of the scriptures. He tries to cover a lot of ideas, and because he flits from one thing to the next so fast, he can come across as jumpy and scattered. But I appreciated the fact that he's throwing out as many definitions as possible, and that he covers a lot of the typical claims heard in apologetics. You can poke a lot of holes in his arguments, but this is still good groundwork.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic introduction to apologetics, specifically, the classical methodology! Recommend.

[Errol Castens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great first text for someone stepping gingerly into the waters of apologetics.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It reminded me of the reasons I don’t love studying apologetics. But it was admittedly necessary for me at this point in my life.

[Borbála · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book truly encouraging in my own personal faith walk. It cleared up some questions I've had for years. Overall, this is a good introduction to apologetics. It made me want to read more.

[Andy Crowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t go wrong with Sproul! A bit weighty on the logical/philosophical concepts (law of non-contradiction, law of causality etc.) but great content overall.