Challenges are often issued to other articles of the Christian faith as well, such as the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and to specifically Catholic Beliefs, such as the unique authority of the pope. For this reason, Christians - and Catholic Christians in particular - often find themselves defending their beliefs in conversations with non-believers.

The Greek word for "defense" is apologia. Our English word "apology" is derived from it. In its classical definition, "apology" did not mean an admission of wrong, as the modern English word suggest. Rather, an apology was a defense or justification of a belief. For example, students of philosophy or the classics are familiar with Plato's Apology: an account of Socrates' defense of his teaching.

In the present context, then, "apologetics" refers to the reasonable defense of the Christian faith. It is one aspect lf what our Lord Jesus talked about when he urged us to love God with all our mind (see Lk 10:27). Faith is not opposed to reason; in fact, reason, rightly understood, is a support to faith.

The foundations of Christian apologetics were laid by our Lord himself when he presented "many proofs" of his resurrection (see Acts 1:3), including his appearance to skeptical, hard-nosed, "doubting" Thomas and the other apostles (see Jn 20:24-29). The resulting apostolic proclamation of the gospel included eye witness (legal or scientific testimony as a central feature (see, e.g., Lk 1:1-4; Acts 2:32).

St. Paul likewise engaged in apologetics, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks of the truth of Christianity. His reasoned style of evangelization is demonstrated in his sermon on the Areopagus, Mars Hill, in philosophy-dominated Athens (see Acts 17:22-34) and in his determination to "become all things to all, to save at least some" (1 Cor 9:22). The apostle's approach to sharing and defending his faith should encourage Catholics today to follow his example.

- Information from The New Catholic Answer Bible (Fireside Catholic Publishing)