Holistic Apologetics: Re-Imagining Apologetics for the 21st Century - Revd Dr Seidel Abel Boanerges

Abstract
In my last decade of Christian ministry and teaching apologetics, one of the most common arguments I have heard against the practice of apologetics is that it is only for intellectual or smart people. I have encountered several church members and even theological students who do not want to do apologetics as they consider themselves philosophically incompetent or intellectually weak to pursue it. I have heard several responses such as ‘I like apologetics, but I can’t argue logically like you, Seidel’, 'I am not that intelligent enough to give a defence of the Christian faith', or 'I don't get all this philosophy, logic and reasoning stuff, I rather stay quiet than confuse myself and the others!’. I believe these people are making a very valid point that must concern Christian apologists today. Although a few recent voices have called for a change in the practice of apologetics to include creativity and imagination to develop some action-oriented forms of apologetics, the rational, intellectual and verbal forms still dominate today and have become a barrier for some contemporary believers in local churches to practice apologetics. 
 
I argue that a Kingdom-focused approach to Christian apologetics offers important insights into how contemporary apologetics could be steered to a new and creative path in the 21st century. Contemporary apologetics must move beyond the intellectual side of apologetics to include and actively encourage to demonstrate the apologetic value of spiritual apologetics (healing, miracles and prophecy) alongside artistic apologetics (literature, painting, drama and film) and action-oriented apologetics (fighting injustice, solidarity, compassion) in our contemporary practice of apologetics. Holistic apologetics does not dismiss traditional intellectual apologetics (moral arguments, proofs, contradictions), but argues that it is only one of the ways to practice apologetics today. If contemporary apologetics is to be effective, I argue that it must include and actively encourage the demonstration of spiritual, artistic, and action-oriented apologetics alongside traditional intellectual apologetics.

Romilly Mark Janes, Whitley Secretary says 'His lecture invites us to revisit the neglected theme of apologetics, focusing on the Kingdom of God, he offers a model that moves beyond a traditional intellectual approach to a more holistic and culturally engaged model that continues to affirm rational argument as part of a greater whole. It seems a timely and helpful focus in an increasingly post Christian environment where spiritual, artistic and action approaches can offer a more effective approach'. 
 

The Revd Dr Seidel Abel Boanerges (FHEA, FRAS, FRSA) is the Dean of Ministerial Formation at Spurgeon’s College and the Moderator of the Baptist Union Council. As a senior executive at Spurgeon’s, he oversees all ministerial formation (MiTs, NAMs, and RLMs) across three locations: London, Birmingham, and Cambridge (Histon). He lectures in professional ministerial practice, mission, evangelism, apologetics and preaching. He is an External Examiner for Durham and Middlesex universities, and he was selected as an International Baptist Scholar in 2020-2021 for the Baptist Scholars International Roundtable organised by Baylor University. Seidel has a first-class honours degree in applied theology (BA) from the University of Gloucestershire, as well as a Master of Theology (MTh) in preaching with distinction from the University of Wales and a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in practical theology from the University of Chester. His latest publication is Seidel Abel Boanerges, ‘The Importance of Character Formation in Christian Ministry’, in Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant: Essays in Honour of Stephen I. Wright – Reflections on Effective Christian Ministry, ed. by Seidel Abel Boanerges and John Woods (London: Spurgeon’s College, 2024), 293-322. 

For more details, see https://www.spurgeons.ac.uk/seidel-abel-boanerges/
Email: seidel@spurgeons.ac.uk

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