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Lutheran Life 7 Q: Why would you say it's important for Christian educators to teach defending the faith in the classroom? A: First, apologetics is commanded in Scripture (see 1 Peter 3:15–16). Paul practices apologetics in the Book of Acts many times, most notably in Acts 17:16–17. Paul defended the faith with people familiar with the Scriptures in the synagogue as well as with those in the marketplace who held a totally different worldview. [Second], America is a post-Christian nation where the biblical worldview does not hold cultural dominance. The Pew Research Center, along with similar organizations like Gallup and Barna, reveal a cultural shift in religious belief in the United States. Consequently, when one examines the media, education, and entertainment, these fields are dominated by people who belong to the "None" group (those who identify as atheist, agnostic, or no affiliation), so a worldview without God is on display. Educators need to prepare students to defend the faith in a post-Christian culture that immerses them in a different worldview. Q: What are some practical things you recommend Christian educators do when faced with tough questions about differing worldviews from their students? A: God gave us the best practical advice in 1 Peter 3:15–16— always be prepared to give a reason for the hope you have, but do it with gentleness and respect. What you say and how you say it are critically important. Knowing your content and delivering it in a winsome way will lead to a better environment where people can listen and understand the truth. Another piece of advice is to simply have a dialogue. Ask these three questions (and train your students to do the same): 1. What do you mean by that? 2. How do you know that to be true? 3. What happens if you're wrong? By ascertaining definitions, sources of authority, and consequences of beliefs, we can better understand what students believe, how they came to believe that, and if they have considered alternative beliefs. Q: Can you touch on the impact of your book Life's Big Questions, God's Big Answers, and what the key takeaways are for Christian educators? A: It has been rewarding to hear how the book has strengthened the faith of teenagers as well as adults all over the country. That was my hope as I wrote it. I had seen the effect of apologetics on the faith development of my Lutheran high school students, so I wanted that same impact to reach a larger audience. After analyzing my data, four themes emerged. Through the utilization of apologetics education: (1) knowledge was gained, (2) spiritual growth was encouraged, (3) defense of the faith was enabled, and (4) evangelism was increased. Q: Are there any encouragements you have for educators learning to lean into apologetics and emphasizing its importance in today's world? A: There are four things to remember. First, sharing Christ, not winning an argument, is the objective. We are not training students to humiliate others and prove themselves to be the smartest person in the discussion; rather, we are preparing students to be ambassadors of Christ, a living representation of Him. Second, only Christianity gives a coherent set of meaningful answers to life's biggest questions: From where did we come? Why are we here? What happens when we die? Everyone wants to know their origin, purpose, and destiny. Christianity makes better sense than any other belief system. Third, teach students to ask questions before quoting Scripture. In our Lutheran schools, we use God's inspired and inerrant Word as our source and norm for doctrine. Outside the school walls, only about one-third of Americans believe the Bible is God's Word, according to Gallup polls. So teach children to talk to people, asking questions about definitions, sources of authority, and consequences of beliefs. Fourth, God saves people—not you, your logic, or evidence. He will bring individuals to repentance when they are confronted with the truth (see 2 Timothy 2:24–26). w Answer teen's difficult questions about Christianity with Brad Alles' book Life's Big Questions, God's Big Answers. Find this title and others in this issue at cph.org. LIFE'S BIG QUESTIONS, GOD'S BIG ANSWERS Lutheran Life 7

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