The Old Testament Basis of Christian Apologetics

A Biblical-Theological Survey

Siegbert Riecker

• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Year: 2019
• eBook ISBN: 9781532672644
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Studies

Much has been written on apologetics of the Old Testament canon and historicity, investigating the Old Testament as an object of apologetics. However, this study is the first comprehensive investigation focusing on apologetics within the Old Testament--i.e., the Old Testament theological foundations of the discipline of Christian apologetics-- investigating apologetics as an object of the Old Testament. Taking seriously the biblical texts at its outset, the study presents a biblically based scheme of five types of apologetic strategy: narrative apologetics, propheticapologetics, wisdom apologetics, "citatory" apologetics as antithetic proclamation, and exemplary apologetics. It focuses on the many explicit confrontations in dialogues, disputes, quotes, and responses, in both prose and poetical form, which are accompanied by an indirect dispute, taking substantial space within the historical parts of the Hebrew Bible. These theological themes are derived from the Old Testament itself, not adapted from the New Testament.This book serves to fill the gap of a proper biblical-theological foundation of the academic field of apologetics. It is a new challenge for all apologists who wish to take seriously the biblical theological foundation of their discipline.With its sole focus on the Hebrew Bible, this study speaks to Jewish scholars as well. It enriches the current discussion on Jewish apologetics, its beginnings and first developments.

1

What Do We Understand by Apologetics?

Etymological Considerations

In order to investigate an Old Testament mandate or rationale of apologetics, it is important to be aware of the exact concept one is looking for. Etymologically the word ‘apologetics’ derives from the Greek noun apología (verb apologéomai). Initially these expressions are used in ancient rhetoric to denote a speech for the defense on trial. The apology is the counterpart to the prosecution speech, the katēgoría “accusation” (noun), or katēgoréō “to accuse” (verb). In this regard these terms also occur in the Apology of Socrates by Plato which could have had a role-modeling influence on early Christian defense literature: “It is right for me, gentlemen, to defend myself [apologēsasthai] first against the first lying accusations [katēgorēména] made against me and my first accusers [katēgórous], and then against the later . . .”1

The equivalent pair of opposites occurs four times in the New Testament referring to lawsuits of Jews against Paul.2 Furthermore, Paul thinks in katēgoroúnton and apologouménōn categories when he reflects on the heart and conscience of the non-Jewish unbeliever:

[The gentiles] show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them (Rom 2:15).

The only synoptic gospel to use the verb apologéomai is the Gospel of Luke. If Christians are taken to court, they are assured of God’s spiritual support:

When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves [apologē´sēsthe] or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say (Luke 12:11, 21:14).

Nevertheless, they have to be willing outside of court to make their apología “defense” to anyone who demands it from them (1 Pet 3:15).

A closer look at the use of katēgoréō within the gospels3 reveals that only a fraction of thematically associated texts can be identified by limiting the search to the root apologéomai. The related opposing pair katēgoréō and apokrínomai also occurs frequently within the gospels.4

Furthermore, it does not seem reasonable to narrow down the concept of “apologetics” to the meaning of “defense” by means of an etymological derivation, even if one takes into account other synonymous terms and related Bible passages.5 From a semantic perspective, the concept of “defense” can be subsumed under the category of communication, where a number of other apologetically relevant concepts can be detected, such as explaining, discussing, testifying, criticizing, debating, arguing, or objecting.6

The designation “apologists” was introduced by patristic scholars Fédéric Morel (1552–1630) and Prudent Maran (1683–1762) to refer to a group of Christian Greek authors in the second century CE. “Classic” early Christian apologists include Aristides of Athens, Justin Martyr, Athenagoras of Athens, Apollinaris Claudius, Melito of Sardes, and Tertullian, as well as others. Their work can be understood as a substitute for the often refused defense of their accused Christian brothers and sisters. The early Christian apologists did not only vindicate their faith against accusations (defensive) but also pointed out mistakes and weaknesses of their opponents (offensive) and presented the Christian faith as a true religion and philosophy.7

Towards A Modern Understanding

Many scholars today would describe apologetics as a vindication and substantiation of faith.8 On the other hand, Protestant theologians such as Helmuth Schreiner, Gerrit Cornelis Berkouwer, Paul Tillich, and Emil Brunner have emphasized that apologetics should not be misunderstood as a defense, but as an “answer” (Tillich) and—even stronger—Angriff, “offense, attack”:

The name “apologetic” is hampered by the suggestion of a defence of Christianity at the bar of Reason, even if it does not go so far as to claim rational proof. Actually, however, what matters is not “defence” but “attack”—the attack, namely, of the Church on the opposing positions of unbelief, superstition, or misleading ideologies.9

The dualism of “negative” (reactive) and “positive” (proactive) apol...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Preface
• Abbreviations
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: What Do We Understand by Apologetics?
• Chapter 2: Apologetics and Biblical Theology
• Chapter 3: Genesis 1:1–2:3 Between Polemics and Apologetics
• Chapter 4: Narrative Apologetics
• Chapter 5: Prophetic Apologetics
• Chapter 6: Wisdom Apologetics
• Chapter 7: Citatory Apologetics as Antithetic Proclamation
• Chapter 8: Exemplary Apologetics
• Chapter 9: Apologetics as Challenge and Mandate
• Bibliography