The Faithful Apologist: Rethinking the Role of Persuasion in Apologetics

“The Faithful Apologist is a very welcome addition to the cadre of voices who are urging that apologetics involves both connection and confrontation. The book's strength comes from Scott's wonderfully rich exposition of biblical texts which time and again dig out some beautiful and surprising exegetical gems. Above all I finished the book encouraged, encouraged that it is first and foremost the Lord Jesus Himself who is the Faithful Apologist. The battle belongs to Him which should give every Christian the courage to contend for Him. Warmly recommended.”

“The Faithful Apologist comes from the biblically infused thought and heart of the careful Reformed theologian Scott Oliphint, and as such it provides meticulous theological reflection on how persuasion takes place by and through God’s word and the measured use of classical rhetorical realities. The result is a theologian’s compelling cri de coeur to follow the graced scriptural path to gospel persuasion—as commended by St. Paul—“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Col 4:5–6). This is a foundational book, an indispensable prolegomenon to persuasion, and will serve the church well, not only in personal evangelism but in the preaching of the gospel to a lost world.”

“Dr. Scott Oliphint is well-known as an academic theologian and apologist who has devoted himself to matters of the intellect, but he has also been a pastor who has devoted himself to people. In The Faithful Apologist he helps us understand the importance of both devotions—not only in terms of the way we think, or even the people we address, but in terms of who we—the apologists—are. Some readers will be intrigued or even surprised at first sight by his skilful (but very welcome!) borrowing from Aristotle’s insistence on the triad of logos, ethos, and pathos in all good communication. But in doing so, Oliphint touches on principles embedded in the biblical doctrine of the image of God and that are constantly exhibited and illustrated in Scripture but often overlooked by Christians. The Faithful Apologist carries an important message for us all, reminiscent of the opening words of E. M. Bounds’s famous book on prayer (“The church is looking for better methods, God is looking for better men”). Scott Oliphint reminds us that while the church is looking for better apologetics, God himself is looking for better apologists”

“Christian apologetics has come a long way since being gagged by the “crisis theology” of Karl Barth. The defense of the faith is once more a legitimate endeavor. Yet there is a view abroad that all we need to do is amass evidence until rational people yield and admit the Christian faith is true. Unfortunately, reasonable people are becoming rare. Now is the time for persuasion. Very little work has been done on the biblical basis for persuasion. Dr. Oliphint’s contribution is invaluable. His working definition is “the discerning and initiating of a connection between two or more persons.” If that sounds abstract, Oliphint points us to the entire Bible, and especially to Jesus Christ, whose mission was “a design of divine persuasion.” The reason? God’s great love, which issues in his “condescension.” In keeping with that, Oliphint has remarkable pages on certain passages, such as Romans 1, Acts 17, and 1 Peter 3, worth the price of the book. This book should be read and enjoyed by all Christians wanting to recover the art of persuasion.”