The Greek word apologia means "to give a reasoned defense for what you believe to be true." It is used 19 times in the new Testament. 1 Peter 3:15 (Amplified) is one such instance.

"But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense (apologia) to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully"

We, as followers of Christ, are mandated to defend our faith in every area. This section is dedicated to answering the questions of many as to the authenticity of our faith as Christians. Though it will not give detailed answers, it will attempt to convey some core truths about Christianity.

Predestination or Free Will?

Many who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have questioned whether man indeed has free will, and yet many others believe that man does not. They base these beliefs or doubts on the fact that the Bible does not explicitly declare anywhere that man has “free will” in those exact terms, as well as their understanding of the concept of predestination presented in the Bible.

First let me establish what the concept of predestination means to eliminate any incorrect definition. The bible teaches that God predestined everyone to be saved, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” (Acts 10:34,35) who fear him and do what is right. “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

God architected and executed a plan of predestination wherein all those who are in Christ would be saved. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:4,5) He did not predestine which individual would be saved or lost, but He created a plan of predestination. A plan of how men would be saved. The plan states that all who choose to believe in Jesus Christ are saved. “In him (Jesus Christ) we were also chosen having been predestined according to the plan of him (God) who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:11). However, to be in Christ or not is our choice. By using our free-will we choose whether to be "in Christ" or not. We choose whether to be saved. When Cornelius asked Peter and the apostles, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They gave him a choice. “So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved’ ” (Acts 16:31-32). He was not forced to believe.

God gives us free will. It is not explicitly stated anywhere in the Bible that God gave man “free will.” However, it is implicitly declared numerous times throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, we can see that man is given the universal choice – to obey God or sin, to live or to die. Along with this choice, God clearly states the consequences of our choices so that we are given every advantage to make the right choice and live. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

Adam and Eve were given a choice. (Genesis 3:3). “But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” God, because of His great love for man and his abundant mercies, clearly stated the consequences of disobedience to give Adam and Eve every motivation to move in the right direction so that they will come to no harm. But, the choice was theirs.

All are given a choice (Deuteronomy 30:19). “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live”

Joshua chose to be on the Lord’s side (Joshua 24:15) “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Three thousand chose the Lord. (Acts 2:37,38,41) “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart [convicted], and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent’….. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

The Pharisees and lawyers rejected the Lord. (Acts 13:46) It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.”

The Lord Himself was given the ultimate choice…to lay down his life for sinners or not. (John 10:18) Jesus said, "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." He chose God’s will.

All are given a choice (John 3:36) “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life.”

All are given a choice. (Revelation 22:17) “Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Even in serving God, we have a choice (Lev 19:5) “And if you offer a sacrifice of a peace offering to the LORD, you shall offer it of your own free will.” (Psalm 119:108) Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Your judgments.

Many will argue the fact that God orchestrated situations in the Bible to help man do his will, which violated man’s free will or prove that man never had free will in the first place. Jonah is a perfect example. When Jonah at first said “no” to going to Nineveh, the Lord setup roadblocks to hinder Jonah from doing his own will and to influence him towards doing the Lord’s will. God did not violate Jonah’s will in anything He did. At every point, Jonah still had the ability to choose. The Lord simply gave Jonah several more points of decision and made the wrong choice harder at every point in order to give Jonah many more opportunities and reasons to make the right choice instead of only one. God will intercede many times in our daily lives to help us in the right direction in the same way. This is out of His great mercy and grace, and not to sabotage our free will. We as humans often make the wrong choices and the Lord will step in to hinder us from going the wrong way and to facilitate us into the right direction. The Lord knows we need all the help we can get. However, our ability and freedom to choose is never violated by the barriers or props the Lord may setup to help us in making the right choices. We still have free will.