Expository Apologetics: Book Review
Review of: “Expository Apologetics: Answering Objections with the Power of the Word”
By Voddie Baucham Jr.
Apologetics can be intimidating and confusing on a practical level. The tasks of apologetics can seem very esoteric, academic, and philosophical, thus leading to two conclusions. First, it is an intimidating practice for those of us who are not trained in those special fields, and thus we should leave it to “the experts.” Watching debates by academics at prestigious universities or YouTube clips by credentialed apologists can give a sense of incompetence to the task for pastors who, in their formal training, may have had one or two courses introducing them to apologetics. That feeling of inferiority is even more compounded for the laymen in our pews. Second, the various views and approaches to apologetics move the practice even farther away, practically from the street level where most Christians live. Having concluded that the presuppositional mindset and approach is best, one is still left with the lingering question, “So what?” How do you do presuppositional apologetics practically? What does that even look like? Where does this fit into the normal life and ministry of a local church pastor? Enter “Expository Apologetics” by Voddie Baucham Jr. This book practically, skillfully, and directly addresses both the “who” and the “how” of apologetics, particularly presuppositional apologetics.
Baucham begins by sharing how this concept of “Expository Apologetics” came about. Hearers of his preaching observed a pattern he exhibited in his own pulpit ministry of answering objections within sermons and inquired about it. The book is essentially an articulation of his pattern and is a “practical expression of presuppositional apologetics.” He explains this “accessible” and “effective” approach to the apologetics task. Broadly speaking, the first part of the book gives an accessible definition of what apologetics is and gives biblical examples and foundations for apologetics. The latter part of the book explains the practical application and instruction in apologetics using creeds, catechisms, and confessions, and a practical grid for real-life discussions as well as integration into a preaching/teaching ministry and general discipleship efforts.
In the first chapter, Baucham gives what, in my opinion, is the strength of the entire book. He defines apologetics by rooting it in the scriptures, especially 1 Peter 3:15. Apologetics is simply knowing “what you believe and why you believe it and being able to communicate that to others effectively.” This definition is repeated regularly with minor variations in the following chapters, with a different application and emphasis. He is careful to reiterate and explain that this is to be biblical, memorable, conversational, natural, humble, and winsome.
A key argument of the book, presented in the first chapter and repeated throughout, is that apologetics is an essential part of the Christian life for all believers, not only for expert debates and trained apologists. Another significant emphasis of the book, presented in the first chapter and repeated throughout, is the connection of apologetics to evangelism. The application of this approach is for the evangelist, the pastor/teacher, and any discipler.
Chapters two and three unpack the essence of apologetics and unbelief. 1 Peter 3 is the passage from which the apologetics definition of knowing “what you believe and why you believe it” comes. From this text, Baucham also connects apologetics to the righteousness of Christ. Romans 1 demonstrates the nature of unbelief, the knowing and suppression of truth by all humanity. This results in the indulgence of lust and the shattering of the image they bear, with particular attention to the sexual sphere of homosexuality, marred by the view of the image of God. Understanding the essence of apologetics and unbelief helps equip the apologist to know the true condition of hearers, remember that their greatest need is the gospel, and prepare us for the likely response of hearers. Baucham gives several practical areas in which we are to convince unbelievers of things they already know yet are suppressing, and then emphasizes the importance of appealing to the Word of God rather than human wisdom.
Chapter four is a very helpful biblical example of his proposed method by examining the questions and responses Paul uses throughout the book of Romans. He points out that Paul’s questions come about; naturally, they are common questions, and he wrestles with them himself. One particularly insightful part of this chapter is in pointing out the different approaches Paul uses for a Jewish and a Gentile audience. Baucham contends that this is not as drastic as the use of classical apologetics for theism but for the background of the audience and their relationship to the law. He points out the use of the presentation of the redemptive history of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation for the pagan audience.
Chapter five begins the practical application of this “Expository Apologetics” approach, giving tools for practicing it. Here, he emphasized the use of creeds, confessions, and catechisms to know what we believe and why we believe it. This is important to shift the thinking of the need for apologists to be trained in biblical truth rather than philosophy, logic, and debate. He points out that the creeds are an apologetic response to an argument in their historical setting. Several examples are given of reeds, confessions, and catechisms and how they are effective, portable, and transferable in the apologetic process.
Chapter six uses the decalogue as the basis of the moral law and to be used in apologetics. Several helpful historical and practical examples are given to show the relationship of the “law written on man’s heart” that connects to the ten commandments. Using the Ten Commandments is helpful in demonstrating that almost all human concepts are rooted in God’s law.
Chapter 7 gives examples of using this approach by applying its principles practically in real-life scenarios. Baucham does this by reviewing several common objections made in popular culture and other arenas. Most are rooted in moral objections to new atheist ideas and cultural apologetics. He heavily relies on the threefold division of the law argument in responding to these objections.
Chapter eight explains the mechanics of an apologetics encounter with what Bauchaum calls the “Apologetic Waltz.” This is an extremely practical explanation of his goal of communicating conversationally and winsomely. He emphasizes that this is being “neighborly” rather than manipulative or political. The three steps in his waltz analogy are 1. Show them that their worldview is inconsistent. In this step, importance is placed on “active listening,” practical help for growing communication skills. Other components of this step are summarizing their statement and opposing them gently. 2. Show them where they are counterfeiting. This involves showing the source and its root. 3. Show them what the real thing looks like in which we should explain why the Christian worldview is true, better than the other options, and why it matters. Same-sex “marriage” is used as an example of application in each step of the waltz analogy.
Chapter nine demonstrates how to use any lesson or sermon as an apologetics opportunity. He encourages the reader to follow the following steps: 1. Read the text like a skeptic 2. Argue with yourself. and 3. Preach to people… not at them. The remainder of the chapter gives examples of areas of life in which conversations would be helpful in learning this skill. These come from face-to-face interactions, family and friends, and evangelistic encounters. Particularly insightful for pastors is the encouragement to make themselves available as a resource for those on the frontlines. He points out that often this is the role of pastors. Other areas to grow in this apologetic method is to integrate broader cultural objections from the news, social media, and academia in sermons/lessons. He concludes by connecting the apologetic process to discipleship in the great commission to not simply being an apologist but making more of them also.
The strength of “Expository Apologetics” is in the clarity with which he emphasizes that apologetics is the calling and duty of every believer and makes the nature and function of apologetics accessible to all—presenting a popular level explanation of presuppositional apologetics that is practical and evangelistic.
While the work does a beautiful job in the strengths of practical and evangelistic emphasis, that tendency leads to the weakness of coming across as aggressive and overstating the case to the point of mischaracterizing other approaches to apologetics. Another weakness is the repetitiveness throughout the book. While repetition is a good teaching tool, and it is good to regularly connect new chapter ideas to the main thesis of the book, there comes a point where it is too much. That point may have been reached in this book.
The greatest weakness in the book is that the applications and examples of discussion topics seemed to go beyond the scope of talks with an unbeliever or a doubting believer. It seemed that the examples were used as an excuse for the author to deal with issues on which Christians hold differing positions on “in-house” issues. Some were couched in the author’s experience, such as his mischaracterization of dispensationalism. Some of these included debating those who opposed Calvinism. Others were moral areas. I would concede, however, that the new atheism’s rejection of Christianity based on moral arguments rather than classical arguments would justify such topics as appropriate examples. Nevertheless, some did seem to be pressed into the argument.
Overall, “Expository Apologetics” is to be commended. As Jay Adams’ “Competent to Counsel” shifted the conversation to take counseling from the professional to the local church, Voddie Baucham does with apologetics. It is wonderful to emphasize that apologetics is for every believer to know what they believe and why they believe it and to be able to communicate it effectively, memorably, and winsomely.