The Apologetics of Jesus: A Caring Approach to Dealing with Doubters

by Norman L. Geisler, Patrick Zukeran (Contributor)

Apologetics books abound, but how did Jesus defend the faith? The Apologetics of Jesus presents the Savior at his convincing best. The most tentative Christian--or belligerent skeptic--will find meaty arguments for the godhead of Christ through his parables, prophecies, and more. This hard-hitting resource shows how Christ led the curious to commitment.

In this original book, readers will find a new way of looking at the message and miracles of Christ and will be revived by the example of Christ's caring approach to dealing with doubters. Recommended for both laypeople and ministry leaders alike.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian Living

208 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2009

About the author

Norman L. Geisler (PhD, Loyola University of Chicago) taught at top evangelical colleges and seminaries for over fifty years and was a distinguished professor of apologetics and theology at Veritas Evangelical Seminary in Murrieta, California. He was the author of nearly eighty books, including the Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics and Christian Ethics. He and his wife lived in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Mason Frierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the cherished myths of the modern era is that modern people are not only more sophisticated technologically than ancient people, they are also morally superior. This myth is widely believed, but never seriously evaluated. Moral progress is held to be obvious, in part, because of the abolition of slavery and the extension of new rights to other disadvantaged groups. The nexus of this belief is that freedom of the individual, a God-given right according to the U.S. Constitution, to make choices are assured by the advancement of science. But what if ancient people were actually more sophisticated than moderns, just lacked the technology?

In their book, The Apologetics of Jesus, Norman L. Geisler and Patrick Zukeran paint an extremely sophisticated picture of Jesus, as articulated in the Gospel of John. Geisler and Zukeran note, for example, that the Bible pictures God as a god willing to reason with us. Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD (Isaiah 1:18 ESV). After all, apologetics mean to offer a defense (11). If we are created in the image of a reasonable God, then perhaps the Son of God would also be someone able to turn an argument. The Apostle Peter admonishes us: in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15 ESV). Humility requires a God willing to argue a case, not force one.

In fact, Jesus tailored his arguments to his audience (185). Geisler and Zukeran make this point in laying out chapters devoted to 8 apologetic methods, including:

1. Use of Testimony,
2. Use of Miracles,
3. Use of the Resurrection,
4. Use of Reason,
5. Use of Parables,
6. Use of Discourse,
7. Use of Prophecy, and
8. Use of Arguments for God (7).

Four additional chapters place these arguments in context:

9. Jesus' Allege Anti-Apologetic Passages,
10. Jesus' Life as an Apologetic,
11. Jesus and the Role of the Holy Spirit in Apologetics, and
12. Jesus' Apologetic Method (7).

These 12 chapters are preceded by a brief introduction and followed only by a series of chapter notes.

Especially interesting is Geisler and Zukeran's discussion of what they refer to as parabolic apologetics--using a story to convey a truth (197). Characteristics of this method include:

1. Use of the story form,
2. It teaches through an indirect approach--the audience affirms the point before realizing they themselves are in focus,
3. The logic is a fortiori--a truth from everyday life applies also to spiritual matters,
4. The parable uses self-discovery to give the audience a sense of ownership of the message, and
5. The parable is sensitive to those caught in sin (188-89).

I would enjoy teaching this book to an adult group to develop a greater command of its contents. Having said this, I have a suggestion. Instead of focusing on the apologetic techniques, it might be more effective to start by classifying audiences (types of atheists or personalities or age or economic groups) and work back to the techniques that Jesus used to address them. Although I have not seen this done in the apologetics literature, an audience-focused approach might prove easier to apply in evangelism.

Clearly, the question of moral superiority of moderns over ancients cannot be resolved in a brief review. The question remains, however, worthy of further inquiry. If in the fullness of time God chose the ancient world to pay a visit, perhaps, he did so not because the ancient world was more needy, but because the ancient world possessed a relational sophistication which better allowed it to understand the conversation. Geisler and Zukeran's contribution is to suggest that Jesus is not the country bumpkin that many critics have alleged.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written for Christians who have never examined the apologetic methods of Jesus (through the use of testimony, miracles, the Resurrection, reason, parables, discourse, prophecy and arguments) -- or those who believe that apologetics isn’t necessary when dealing with doubters. The latter suppose “that since evangelism involves the proclamation of the Word and the work of the Holy Spirit upon the unbeliever, there is no need for apologetics.” And so an entire chapter is devoted to the role of the Holy Spirit in apologetics --showing that reason and evidence and the Holy Spirit’s role are complimentary, while also stating that “evidence alone, no matter how strong, is not sufficient to convince a person to believe in Christ; that is a work of God.” Thus the book ends up being an apologetic -- a defense of apologetics itself -- by describing the methods used by Jesus, while supporting each with Scripture. Two thumbs up.

[Laura Hartness · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good basic outline examining the apologetics of Jesus. While he did not operate with the labels we have today, he employed many of the strategies later seen in apologists for centuries to come. Geisler and Zukeran cover this topic thoroughly and sometimes redundantly, but this is probably due out of an interest in covering topics like the Holy Spirit from multiple angles. This would be a fine title to recommend to individuals just beginning their studies in Christian apologetics. (Read for NT501 course at Southern Evangelical Seminary.)

[Carey Smoak · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely unique book! There are many books on apologetics, but as far as I know this is the only book on how Jesus used apologetics in His ministry. This book is a must for anyone who wants to round out their knowledge of apologetics.

[James Owen]

Good book