The Faithful Apologist: Rethinking the Role of Persuasion in Apologetics

The Faithful Apologist provides a cross-centered foundation for Christians to explain their faith in a welcoming and persuasive manner, avoiding any burden to sell Christianity to non-Christians. It lays out the biblical and theological foundations of apologetics, studies the art of persuasion as demonstrated in Scripture, and links the discipline of apologetics to the classical art of persuasion. Success is not measured in the number of minds we change, but in our faithfulness to God, the Divine Persuader.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Zondervan

In a time when reason seems to be diminishing, there is a renewed interest in rediscovering the art of Christian persuasion. For many Christians who have engaged in evangelism or faced the challenge of defending their faith, it can feel like they are engaging in public relations work for God, limited to a set of strategies and tactics. However, in his book "The Faithful Apologist," Scott Oliphint offers a cross-centered foundation for Christians to explain their faith in a welcoming and persuasive manner, avoiding any sense of burden to sell Christianity to non-Christians. Drawing from both the rich tradition of Western apologetics and the wisdom of effective communication, this book bridges the gap between sharing the truth of our faith and the art of persuasion.

The author begins by laying out the biblical and theological foundations of apologetics, studying the art of persuasion as demonstrated in Scripture, and linking the discipline of apologetics to the classical art of persuasion. Dr. Scott Oliphint, a Reformed theologian, has written this book with a deep devotion to both people and the intellect. He emphasizes that when our faith is grounded in the Triune God and his sovereignty, our attempts to defend it will become more confident and convincing.

The book is accessible and thoroughly rooted in Scripture, making it a valuable resource for Christians who want to engage in apologetics without feeling anxious. Oliphint emphasizes that success in apologetics is not measured by the number of minds we change but by our faithfulness to God, the Divine Persuader. By understanding the principles of effective communication and applying them to our faith, we can share the gospel with others in a way that is both welcoming and persuasive.

In conclusion, "The Faithful Apologist" provides a valuable guide for Christians who want to engage in apologetics with confidence and conviction. By grounding our faith in the Triune God and his sovereignty, we can share the gospel with others in a way that is both welcoming and persuasive, without feeling burdened by the task of selling Christianity. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of apologetics and engage in effective ministry in the world.

Weight: 240g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780310590101