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I was recently interviewed by the writer of an apologetics website to answer a few questions about the importance of the work we do. I thought I'd share the interview with you.
What are the benefits of engaging with some of Christianity's more hostile and even dangerous critics such as Richard Dawkins and Peter Singer?
LT: Great question. We are asked that a lot. Some suggest that we should not engage them. They reason that we should not give such men an audience.  But this is absurd as these men already have tremendous audiences, receive lavish media attention, and are treated like rock stars. Worse yet, they are seldom challenged. Using their visibility to our advantage, we wanted refute their arguments and demonstrate the spiritual, moral, and intellectual power of the Gospel. There is a twofold objective here:
First, to encourage Christians who feel demoralized by what they see as the unrelenting advance of secularism and a corresponding retreat of Christianity. In our experience, many Christians do not doubt that the Bible is true; they doubt its relevance and ability to address the complex questions of modern life. Furthermore, there is an unhealthy reluctance among "ordinary" Christians to enter the arena, preferring as they do to leave these things to the pantheon of Christian "stars." We must demolish these notions and mobilize the Church, not just an elite few. In seeing someone who takes the Gospel seriously mount the stage in opposition to militant secularists like Dawkins, Hitchens, Singer, Ehrman, et al., many Christians who were otherwise disengaged, are inspired by the model and do likewise. They see that the Word of God is not a liability, but a two-edged sword when it is properly wielded. Second, to challenge skeptics in their unbelief, or, as C.S. Lewis put it, "To put doubt in the minds of the doubters." Ideally, it is our desire to see skeptics come to Christ. It has been our privilege to see that happen on numerous occasions. Failing that, however, we want to undermine the skeptic's confidence that his is the default position. By way of example, that Richard Dawkins' confidence has been severely shaken seems clear to those of us who are privy to all that has transpired with him. I am not suggesting that he is nearing conversion. On the contrary, he has become more shrill, more vituperative, and more reluctant to engage any but those who adore him. Hardly the actions of a man who is confident that he is absolutely right.
Is the discipline of apologetics being given enough emphasis in our current Christian curriculum?
LT: No.
How should we as Christians respond to the charge that apologetics is an elitist practice targeting a privileged few, and ignoring the laymen among us?
LT: Another great question. This charge is nonsense. Unfortunately, apologetics is frequently treated as either an endeavor limited to some specialized and enlightened few or as utterly irrelevant. We encounter both with great regularity, much to our distress. Apologetics, like evangelism, is simply part of what it means to be a Christian. Sure, some may have special gifts in this area, but that does not absolve others of their duty to proclaim Christ. We should be grieved to hear His name blasphemed, taken in vain, or otherwise abused, and that should move us to action. A careful reading of the Bible's so-called "red letters" and one begins to see that apologetics occurred in more places than Acts 17 and the Areopagus (bizarrely, this is referenced as though it is the only example of apologetics in the Bible), but was modeled by our Lord on numerous occasions.
Let's remove the theological implications for a moment and just consider the question from the perspective of everyday life. Would a man defend his wife were he to hear her criticized? Would a mother defend her child? Today is Dec. 8th. 68 years ago today, America declared war on Japan in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor the day before. Wasn't this perfectly reasonable? Honor is a precious thing, and Christians are called to defend the honor of God. For some reason, however, we have a very high tolerance for criticisms of God, but not for our favorite sports teams, political parties, or cultural preferences.
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